Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card Review for 2023
Tricia has nearly two decades of experience in commercial and federal government lending. Her expertise is highlighted throughout small business loan content on Fit Small Business.
Nancy Fernandez is a Credit Card and Insurance Expert at Fit Small Business, specializing in business credit cards and business insurance.
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card is designed for business owners wanting to earn unlimited cash back rewards. This small business credit card allows you to redeem your cash back as a deposit to a qualifying PayPal account. It has no annual fee and comes with a low ongoing percentage rate (APR).
If you wish to compare one card over another, select a maximum of three cards on this page and click Add to compare to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.
Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card
BEST FOR:
Those who prefer to earn cash back rewards and are paying for software subscriptions
Intro APR
0% APR for the first six billing cycles
Regular APR
17.74% to 26.74% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good
- $25 cash back bonus after making your first purchase
- 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, cellphone service providers, office supply stores, and restaurants (including takeout and food delivery service purchases), with no caps or limits on the points you can earn
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases, with no caps or limits on the points you can earn
- $100 annual software credit after using your card to pay software subscriptions for 11 consecutive months
Pros
- Comes with a signup bonus worth $25 after making your first purchase
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
- Can earn unlimited rewards, with no caps or limits on the points you can earn
Cons
- Offers short 0% APR period vs other business credit cards
- Rewards expire within five years
- Online reporting with spend analysis: Offers a free online tool that lets business owners review their credit card spending on a monthly, quarterly, annual, or year-to-date basis.
- Fraud protection and zero fraud liability: Fraud protection helps detect and prevent fraudulent activities by monitoring your account and notifying you of any unusual card activity.
- MasterRental insurance coverage: This coverage pays up to $50,000 if an eligible rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.
- Management benefits: Include protection against terminated employees’ misuse of up to $100,000 for companies with more than five card members or up to $25,000 per card member for companies with two to four card members.
Intro APR
0% APR for the first six billing cycles
Regular APR
17.74% to 26.74% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good
- $25 cash back bonus after making your first purchase
- 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, cellphone service providers, office supply stores, and restaurants (including takeout and food delivery service purchases), with no caps or limits on the points you can earn
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases, with no caps or limits on the points you can earn
- $100 annual software credit after using your card to pay software subscriptions for 11 consecutive months
Pros
- Comes with a signup bonus worth $25 after making your first purchase
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
- Can earn unlimited rewards, with no caps or limits on the points you can earn
Cons
- Offers short 0% APR period vs other business credit cards
- Rewards expire within five years
- Online reporting with spend analysis: Offers a free online tool that lets business owners review their credit card spending on a monthly, quarterly, annual, or year-to-date basis.
- Fraud protection and zero fraud liability: Fraud protection helps detect and prevent fraudulent activities by monitoring your account and notifying you of any unusual card activity.
- MasterRental insurance coverage: This coverage pays up to $50,000 if an eligible rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.
- Management benefits: Include protection against terminated employees’ misuse of up to $100,000 for companies with more than five card members or up to $25,000 per card member for companies with two to four card members.
How We Evaluate Cash Back Business Credit Cards
When grading cash back business credit cards like the Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card, we first consider the ongoing and introductory rewards. We also rate the annual fee, introductory and ongoing annual percentage rates, and other card benefits.
Grading Criteria | Card Score | Highest Possible Score |
|---|---|---|
Ongoing Rewards | 20 | 30 |
Introductory Rewards | 10 | 20 |
Annual Fee | 15 | 15 |
Features | 15 | 15 |
Introductory APR | 5 | 10 |
Ongoing APR | 8 | 10 |
Total Score | 73 | 100 |
Who Is Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card Best For?
- Those who want to earn cash back: It offers cash back rewards on everyday business purchases.
- Those who pay for software subscriptions: It offers a $100 annual software credit when you use it to pay for a subscription for 11 consecutive months.
- Those with Banc of California business savings or checking accounts: If you already do business with the bank, getting this card will save you time since you will manage all your bank accounts with just one provider.
Check out our recommended alternatives below if this card doesn’t fit your business needs.
Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card Fees
APR
- Introductory APR on purchases: 0% for the first six billing cycles after opening an account
- Introductory APR on balance transfers: 0% for the first six billing cycles for balances transferred within 186 days from account opening
- Ongoing APR on purchases and balance transfers: 17.74% to 26.74% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Cash advance APR: 29.74% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate
- Penalty APR: 30.99% variable, which will adjust with the prime rate; will be applied to your account if you do one of the following:
- Make a payment five calendar days late twice or 30 calendar days once
- Make a returned payment
- Exceed your credit limit twice in 12 consecutive months
Penalty APR will apply until you make six consecutive minimum payments when due and don’t exceed your credit limit during that period.
Fees
- Annual: $0
- Balance transfer and convenience check cash advance: Either $5 or 3% of the amount transferred, whichever is higher
- Foreign transaction: Either 2% of each foreign transaction in United States dollars or 3% of each foreign transaction in a foreign currency
- Cash advance, cash advance ATM, and cash equivalent advance: Either $10 or 4% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Overdraft protection: $10
- Late payment:
- $19 on balances up to $100
- $29 on balances from $100 to $250
- $39 on balances of $250 or more
- Returned payment: $35
- Overlimit: $39
Your due date is within 24 to 30 days after the close of each billing cycle.
Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card Rewards
- $25 cash back bonus after making your first purchase
- 3% cash back on eligible purchases at gas stations, cell phone service providers, office supply stores, and restaurants, including takeout and food delivery service purchases, with no caps or limits on the points you can earn
- 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases, with no caps or limits on the points you can earn
- $100 annual software credit after using your card to pay for subscriptions for 11 consecutive months
You can redeem your cash back as a statement credit or rewards card, or you can deposit it to a qualifying account or PayPal. Each redemption requires a $25 minimum amount and must be redeemed in increments of $25. You can also enroll in Real-Time Rewards to redeem cash rewards for purchases made with your card.
How To Make Payments on the Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card
- Online: Log in to your account at www.myaccountaccess.com
- Auto Pay: Set up an automatic monthly withdrawal from a checking or savings account
- Phone: Call (866) 486-1017
Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card Features
- Online reporting with spend analysis: This is a free online tool that lets you review credit card spending on a monthly, quarterly, annual, or year-to-date basis. You can view your expenses by total spending, average ticket, or merchant and download an account summary with up to 36 months of data.
- Fraud protection and zero fraud liability: Fraud protection helps detect and prevent fraudulent activities by monitoring your account and notifying you of any unusual card activity. Meanwhile, Zero fraud liability protects you from fraudulent use of your card or account information if the card is lost or stolen. You won’t be responsible for any unauthorized purchases.
- MasterRental insurance coverage: This coverage pays up to $50,000 if an eligible rental vehicle is damaged or stolen. You must pay for the rental with this card and decline the collision/loss damage waiver and personal effects insurance offered by the rental agency.
- Mastercard global service and MasterRoad assist: Mastercard provides worldwide, 24-hour assistance with reporting a lost or stolen card, emergency card replacement, and emergency cash advance. It also provides 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, known as MasterRoad Assist.
- Management benefits: This includes protection against terminated employees’ misuse of up to $100,000 for companies with more than five card members or up to $25,000 per card member for companies with two to four card members.
Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card Alternatives
American Express Blue Business CashTM
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Those who want better cash back rewards
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
17.74% - 25.74% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.74% - 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
17.74% - 25.74% Variable
Annual Fee
No annual fee
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That’s why you’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power.
- Just remember, the amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us and other factors.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.74% - 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply
Pros
- 0% intro APR
- Welcome bonus
- Fixed rate rewards
- No annual fee
Cons
- Cash advance isn’t allowed
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- 2% cash back is capped at $50,000 in annual spending
- Expanded buying power: Enjoy flexible buying power when your business needs it. Expanded buying power gives you the freedom to spend beyond your credit limit and help get business done. While the amount you can spend above your credit limit isn't unlimited, it adjusts with your use of the card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
- Car rental loss and damage insurance: As a Card Member, You can be covered for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle in a covered territory when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire rental and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental company counter.
- American Express Blue Business CashTM is best for those wanting both cash back rewards and a long interest-free financing period
- Offers 0% APR on purchases for the first 12 billing cycles
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
- Lets you earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1% cash back earned is credited to your statement automatically
- Is our best cash back business credit card and instant approval business credit card and one of our leading business credit cards with no annual fee and 0% APR business credit cards
Banc of California Business Platinum Mastercard®
Banc of California Business Platinum Mastercard®
BEST FOR:
Those looking to finance a large purchase or transfer a balance
Intro APR
0% introductory APR for the first 20 billing cycles
Regular APR
15.74% to 24.74% variable
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Good to excellent
- Access to expense management tools to help you organize and track your overall spending.
- No annual fee
Pros
- Low ongoing APR
- Offers a long introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
Cons
- Doesn’t offer any rewards for their new and existing cardholders
- No introductory balance transfers
- Management benefits: Banc of California can help you build your credit history in no time and protect you against terminated employees’ misuse of either up to $100,000 for companies with more than five cardmembers or up to $25,000 per cardmember for companies with two to four cardmembers.
- Fraud protection and zero fraud liability: Fraud protection helps detect and prevent fraudulent activities by monitoring your account regularly, and the bank will notify you of any unusual card activity
- MasterRental insurance coverage: Mastercard pays for physical damage and theft to most rental vehicles of up to $50,000.
- Mastercard global service: Provides worldwide 24-hour assistance on lost and stolen cards, emergency card replacement, and emergency cash advance
Intro APR
0% introductory APR for the first 20 billing cycles
Regular APR
15.74% to 24.74% variable
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Good to excellent
- Access to expense management tools to help you organize and track your overall spending.
- No annual fee
Pros
- Low ongoing APR
- Offers a long introductory APR on both purchases and balance transfers
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
Cons
- Doesn’t offer any rewards for their new and existing cardholders
- No introductory balance transfers
- Management benefits: Banc of California can help you build your credit history in no time and protect you against terminated employees’ misuse of either up to $100,000 for companies with more than five cardmembers or up to $25,000 per cardmember for companies with two to four cardmembers.
- Fraud protection and zero fraud liability: Fraud protection helps detect and prevent fraudulent activities by monitoring your account regularly, and the bank will notify you of any unusual card activity
- MasterRental insurance coverage: Mastercard pays for physical damage and theft to most rental vehicles of up to $50,000.
- Mastercard global service: Provides worldwide 24-hour assistance on lost and stolen cards, emergency card replacement, and emergency cash advance
- Banc of California Business Platinum Mastercard® is a great alternative for those wanting a longer interest-free financing option from the same bank
- Offers 0% APR on both purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles
- Doesn’t offer rewards for new and existing cardholders
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards
Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Those wanting to earn 3% cash back in a spending category of your choice
Intro APR
0%
Regular APR
16.49% - 26.49% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Get a $300 statement credit online bonus after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening – with no annual fee and cash rewards don't expire.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back on dining purchases and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- You'll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 16.49% to 26.49% will apply.
- Redeem your cash back as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you.
- Earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to 5.25% in your selected choice category and up to 3.5% on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in those combined purchases each calendar year, and up to an unlimited 1.75% cash back on all other purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Pros
- Offers flexible redemption options
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
- With sign-up bonus
Cons
- Premium cash back rewards are capped on a selected spending category
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- Short introductory APR period
- Access to a business credit score: Bank of America lets you view and monitor your Dun & Bradstreet business credit score for free through Business Advantage 360.
- Zero liability protection: Stay protected against unauthorized transactions. Bank of America offers additional protections that cover certain purchases against loss, damage, theft, or fire and provides extended warranty coverage.
- Fraud monitoring: Bank of America will block potential fraud if it detects abnormal patterns in your transactions. It’ll also notify you if it suspects any fraudulent activity.
Intro APR
0%
Regular APR
16.49% - 26.49% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Get a $300 statement credit online bonus after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening – with no annual fee and cash rewards don't expire.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back on dining purchases and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- You'll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 16.49% to 26.49% will apply.
- Redeem your cash back as a deposit into your Bank of America® checking or savings account, as a card statement credit or as a check mailed to you.
- Earn up to 75% more cash back on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to 5.25% in your selected choice category and up to 3.5% on dining purchases on the first $50,000 in those combined purchases each calendar year, and up to an unlimited 1.75% cash back on all other purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Pros
- Offers flexible redemption options
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
- With sign-up bonus
Cons
- Premium cash back rewards are capped on a selected spending category
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- Short introductory APR period
- Access to a business credit score: Bank of America lets you view and monitor your Dun & Bradstreet business credit score for free through Business Advantage 360.
- Zero liability protection: Stay protected against unauthorized transactions. Bank of America offers additional protections that cover certain purchases against loss, damage, theft, or fire and provides extended warranty coverage.
- Fraud monitoring: Bank of America will block potential fraud if it detects abnormal patterns in your transactions. It’ll also notify you if it suspects any fraudulent activity.
- Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards is a good option if you want to earn cash back in the category of your choice
- Offers 0% APR on purchases for the first nine billing cycles
- Doesn’t charge annual fees
- Lets you earn 3% cash back on the category of your choice, 2% cash back on dining on the first $50,000 in your combined choice category and dining purchases each calendar year, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Is one of our leading cash back business credit cards, 0% APR business credit cards, and business credit cards with no annual fee
For more options, see our roundup of the best small business credit cards.
Bottom Line
Banc of California Mastercard® Business Cash Preferred Card is a great choice if you want to earn cash back rewards and pay for software subscriptions. It offers an interest-free financing option on both purchases and balance transfers for the first six billing cycles and doesn’t charge annual fees. You can earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at selected establishments and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases, but you’ll need to redeem earned cash back rewards within five years.
