6 Best Business Credit Cards with No Personal Guarantee 2022
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.
Benilyn has over a decade of experience as a banking officer. Her expertise is featured throughout Fit Small Business in personal finance, credit card, and real estate investing content.
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post with regularly updated card details.
Most business credit card issuers require a personal guarantee, which makes you personally liable for your business’s debts in case it fails. If you don’t want to take this risk, then you can opt for a business card that doesn’t require a personal guarantee. An established small business with substantial annual revenues can usually qualify for business credit cards without a personal guarantee. Your options include charge cards, store cards, and debit cards.
Here are the six best business cards with no personal guarantee:
- SVB Innovators Card: Best overall business card with no personal guarantee
- Bento for Business Visa® Debit Card: Best for business owners with fair or poor credit
- Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®: Best for small businesses with recurring big-box store purchases
- Shell Small Business Fuel Card: Best for small businesses with fleet vehicles
- Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card: Best for small businesses with recurring office supply and furniture purchases
- Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card: Best for nonprofit organizations
To see how these cards stack up against others that we have reviewed on our site, click Add to Compare on the card below and select up to two additional cards for comparison.
SVB Innovators Card: Best Overall Business Card With No Personal Guarantee
SVB Innovators Card
BEST FOR:
Those who don’t want to provide a personal guarantee
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
N/A
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Good
- Earn 2 points for every dollar spent
Pros
- No annual fee
- No personal liability required
- Offers rewards
Cons
- Balance is due in full each month
- Balance transfer isn’t allowed
- No sign-up bonus
- Seamless integration with digital payments and spend management tools, including QuickBooks, Xero, and Expensify
- Flexible credit limits that scale with your company’s growth
- Free employee cards
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
N/A
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Good
- Earn 2 points for every dollar spent
Pros
- No annual fee
- No personal liability required
- Offers rewards
Cons
- Balance is due in full each month
- Balance transfer isn’t allowed
- No sign-up bonus
- Seamless integration with digital payments and spend management tools, including QuickBooks, Xero, and Expensify
- Flexible credit limits that scale with your company’s growth
- Free employee cards
Why we like it: The SVB Innovators Card is our choice for the best overall business credit card with no personal guarantee because of its simplicity. It’s offered by Silicon Valley Bank and designed for startup business owners who can pay their balances in full each month. It’s also one of our leading business cards for startups. This card is a charge card, and it doesn’t come with interest because your full balance is due every month. The SVB Innovators Card is a great option for startups needing flexible credit lines that scale with their growth and a simple rewards program.
You’ll earn 2x points on every dollar spent on all purchases, regardless of spending categories, with no caps or limits on how much you can earn. You can redeem your rewards for statement credits, gift cards, travel, or merchandise. This card comes with no annual fee, and you can add as many employee cards as you need with no additional charge. Further, since it’s a Mastercard, you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Here are other things you need to know about the SVB Innovators Card:
- Business tools integration: You can sync your transactions automatically with popular digital payment apps for monitoring and controlling expenses and managing purchase transactions.
- Multiple payment options: You can activate various payment types—including physical cards, contactless features, and ghost cards—for better tracking and accountability.
- Online banking services: Online banking allows you to access all your SVB accounts and get real-time visibility into your company’s financial transactions.
- Significant late payment fee: Since this is a charge card, it comes with no APR. However, you should pay your balance in full every month; otherwise, you’ll be charged a significant late payment fee of either $32 or 2.5% of the balance, whichever is greater.
Silicon Valley Bank requires you to open an SVB business banking account to qualify for the SVB Innovators Card. Your credit limit will depend on the amount of money you have in your deposit account. While the SVB Innovators Card isn’t a secured card, the issuer will consider your assets as a factor in both approval and credit limit.
Bento for Business Visa® Debit Card: Best for Business Owners With Fair or Poor Credit
Bento for Business Visa® Debit Card
BEST FOR:
Managing employee expenses without a credit check to qualify
Number Of Cards
Unlimited
Monthly Cost
$29-149 monthly
Daily Load Limit
None
Daily Spend Limit
$25,000
- Instant decision
- No credit check required
- One-click card controls and expense reports
Pros
- Get the first two cards for free
- Manage employee expenses easily
- Additional card features and purchase protections
Cons
- Large fees for more than two cards
- Deposited funds are required
- Won’t help build business or personal credit
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Use this card to pay for your entire auto rental transaction and get collision coverage for a damaged or stolen rental vehicle, up to the value of the vehicle.
- Purchase protection: Purchases are covered up to 90 days for damage and theft, up to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per year.
Number Of Cards
Unlimited
Monthly Cost
$29-149 monthly
Daily Load Limit
None
Daily Spend Limit
$25,000
- Instant decision
- No credit check required
- One-click card controls and expense reports
Pros
- Get the first two cards for free
- Manage employee expenses easily
- Additional card features and purchase protections
Cons
- Large fees for more than two cards
- Deposited funds are required
- Won’t help build business or personal credit
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Use this card to pay for your entire auto rental transaction and get collision coverage for a damaged or stolen rental vehicle, up to the value of the vehicle.
- Purchase protection: Purchases are covered up to 90 days for damage and theft, up to $10,000 per claim, $50,000 per year.
Why we like it: The Bento for Business Visa® Debit Card is accessible to all business owners without size and revenue requirements because it isn’t a credit card. Since it’s a debit card, it doesn’t charge any interest and doesn’t require a credit check. Unlike the other cards on this list, business owners with fair or poor credit are eligible to apply for Bento for Business Visa® Debit Card, making it one of our top-recommended business cards for fair credit.
You can take advantage of unlimited domestic transactions without having to pay setup fees, debit fees, decline fees, or overdraft fees. You can also request a card for each of your employees. The fee for one to 10 cards, including the account owner’s card, is $29 a month. There are also pricing plans for up to 25, 100, and more than 100 cards. You can use this debit card anywhere that accepts Visa® cards.
The Bento debit card has two versions, and both can be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay wallet for contactless payments:
- Spend limit card: Ideal for everyday purchases and good for managing all business spending in one place.
- Fixed-value card: Best for one-time payments, per diems, or recurring vendor payments.
Other things we like about Bento for Business Visa® Debit Card are:
- Control: You can set the daily spend limit and restrict merchant category and international transactions on each employee card. You can make changes to these controls online or on the mobile app.
- Security: You can freeze a card easily if it gets lost or stolen.
- Expense reporting: Bento offers AI-based receipt capture and efficient reporting tools, and you can export data into QuickBooks or any other accounting platform.
- Free trial: Bento is free to use for the first 60 days, and you can cancel your account easily at any time.
The Bento for Business Visa® Debit Card is available to any legitimate and verifiable business. If you are a legally registered US business with a verifiable physical location in the US, you can apply for it. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)-sanctioned individuals, entities, countries, and/or governments are ineligible.
Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®: Best for Small Businesses With Recurring Big-box Store Purchases
Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard®
BEST FOR:
5% back on gas at United States gas stations and Sam's Club and Walmart fuel stations
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
17.90% or 25.90%
Annual Fee
$0 except for annual Sam’s Club Plus membership fee of $100
Credit Needed
Good
- Earn 5% back on gas at United States gas stations and Sam's Club and Walmart fuel stations, 3% on all Sam’s Club purchases, 3% back at restaurants, and 1% on all other eligible purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted
Cons
- Businesses must show at least $5 million in annual sales revenue, be operational for at least two years, and have more than 10 employees to avoid personal guarantee
- No sign-up bonus
- Need to be a Sam’s Club Plus member to apply
- 600 Sam’s Club locations in the US and Puerto Rico
- Single-card convenience as Mastercard® doubles as your Sam’s Club membership card
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
17.90% or 25.90%
Annual Fee
$0 except for annual Sam’s Club Plus membership fee of $100
Credit Needed
Good
- Earn 5% back on gas at United States gas stations and Sam's Club and Walmart fuel stations, 3% on all Sam’s Club purchases, 3% back at restaurants, and 1% on all other eligible purchases
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted
Cons
- Businesses must show at least $5 million in annual sales revenue, be operational for at least two years, and have more than 10 employees to avoid personal guarantee
- No sign-up bonus
- Need to be a Sam’s Club Plus member to apply
- 600 Sam’s Club locations in the US and Puerto Rico
- Single-card convenience as Mastercard® doubles as your Sam’s Club membership card
Why we like it: The Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard® offers substantial rewards if you make frequent big-box store purchases. You can earn 5% cash back on your first $6,000 spent at Sam’s Club® and Walmart gas stations per year, then 1% thereafter. You can also earn 3% cash back on eligible purchases at restaurants. Sam’s Club® Plus members can earn 3% cash back on purchases at Sam’s Club® locations or samsclub.com. If you aren’t a Plus member, you can earn 1% on all other purchases, including those at Sam’s Club®.
Since this is a Mastercard®, you can use it anywhere Mastercard® is accepted to earn rewards. If you get a Plus membership for $100 a year, you can earn even greater savings and rewards. Sam’s Club® Plus members can enjoy additional cash rewards, free shipping, and free curbside pickup.
Other things you need to know about the Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard® are:
- No monthly or annual fee: Aside from the annual Plus membership fee, this card comes with no monthly or annual fee.
- Sign-up bonus: Receive a $30 statement credit when you open an account and make at least $30 worth of Sam’s Club purchases within 30 days.
- Online shopping: Even if you don’t live near one of 600 Sam’s Club® locations in the US and Puerto Rico, you can purchase thousands of items from the website—delivery is free for Sam’s Club® Plus members.
- Cash back cap: You can only earn up to $5,000 cash back per year.
- Ongoing annual percentage rate (APR): The variable purchase APR is 17.90% or 25.90%, with a minimum interest charge of $2. APRs are subject to change based on the prime rate.
To apply for the Sam’s Club® Business Mastercard® without personal guarantee, you need to have good to excellent credit. You should also be in business for more than two years, with over $5 million in annual revenues, and have more than 10 employees. You can still apply for the card without these requirements, but a personal guarantee is necessary for card approval.
Shell Small Business Fuel Card: Best for Small Businesses With Fleet Vehicles
Shell Small Business Card
BEST FOR:
Larger businesses
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
23% - 26%
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Good
- Earn rebates of up to 5 cents per gallon
Pros
- Zero card fees
- Discounts at Jiffy Lube locations
Cons
- Businesses need to earn at least $1 million annually to qualify
- Total savings capped at $300 per billing cycle
- Online and mobile account management
- Cancel stolen or lost cards in real time online
- 24/7 customer service available
- Payment flexibility―revolve your balance or pay in full each billing cycle
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
23% - 26%
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Good
- Earn rebates of up to 5 cents per gallon
Pros
- Zero card fees
- Discounts at Jiffy Lube locations
Cons
- Businesses need to earn at least $1 million annually to qualify
- Total savings capped at $300 per billing cycle
- Online and mobile account management
- Cancel stolen or lost cards in real time online
- 24/7 customer service available
- Payment flexibility―revolve your balance or pay in full each billing cycle
Why we like it: The Shell Small Business Fuel Card is accepted at more than 14,000 Shell stations across the country. You can use it to earn rebates of up to 6 cents per gallon at Shell, making it a great card for companies with fleet vehicles. You can also enjoy discounts at participating Jiffy Lube stations. It’s one of the best business fuel cards available, making it ideal for businesses with fleets and those who are on the road frequently.
This card comes with no setup, monthly, or annual fees, and you can carry a balance each month with interest. It has a dedicated US-based customer service team, which is available 24/7. Moreover, you can access your account anywhere, anytime with online and mobile tools.
Here are other things that you need to know about the Shell Small Business Fuel Card:
- Exclusive to Shell: This card isn’t affiliated with either Visa or Mastercard. It can only be used at Shell stations.
- Detailed reports: It offers online account management, which allows access to detailed reports, such as data analytics and all aspects of your business’s fueling activity.
- Control: You can set limits on what and how much can be purchased per employee card. Additionally, you can activate, suspend, and terminate cards through online and mobile tools.
To qualify for the Shell Small Business Fuel Card, your business should be in operation for at least three years and have a minimum of $1 million in annual earnings.
Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card: Best for Businesses with Recurring Office Supply & Furniture Purchases
Office Depot OfficeMax Business Credit Card
BEST FOR:
Office supplies at Office Depot and OfficeMax
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
20.80% to 29.99%
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Fair
- Receive $50 as a statement credit on your first purchase of $150
- Flexible payments or choose pay in full
- Exclusive offers plus sneak previews and special savings
Pros
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- Available to applicants with fair credit
Cons
- High ongoing APR
- Need to be enrolled in the Rewards Program to get cashback rewards
- Can only be used at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores
- Office Depot® OfficeMax® Rewards Program. A free program where active members can get up to 2% cashback in rewards on your go-to supplies, furniture, equipment, and more.
- Itemized billing statements. Office Depot provides relevant information that can help business owners do proper budget allocation and forecasting of expenses when using their credit cards.
- Multiple cards per account. The Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card offers numerous cards within the same statement, thus increasing the number of authorized people who can use the same performance at a given time.
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
20.80% to 29.99%
Annual Fee
None
Credit Needed
Fair
- Receive $50 as a statement credit on your first purchase of $150
- Flexible payments or choose pay in full
- Exclusive offers plus sneak previews and special savings
Pros
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus
- Available to applicants with fair credit
Cons
- High ongoing APR
- Need to be enrolled in the Rewards Program to get cashback rewards
- Can only be used at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores
- Office Depot® OfficeMax® Rewards Program. A free program where active members can get up to 2% cashback in rewards on your go-to supplies, furniture, equipment, and more.
- Itemized billing statements. Office Depot provides relevant information that can help business owners do proper budget allocation and forecasting of expenses when using their credit cards.
- Multiple cards per account. The Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card offers numerous cards within the same statement, thus increasing the number of authorized people who can use the same performance at a given time.
Why we like it: The Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card is a no-annual-fee card that can only be used at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® locations and its online store. That’s what makes this card an excellent option for small businesses making recurring purchases of office supplies and furniture and office technology, breakroom, and cleaning supplies.
Similar to the Sam’s Club® business credit card, you can earn greater rewards if you link your Office Depot® rewards membership to the account. You’ll receive 2% back on everything you charge. If you spend $500 in a 12-month period, then you’ll unlock VIP status—giving you the ability to earn 5% back in rewards on ink, toner, paper, and print services, free two-day delivery, and other exclusive perks.
Other things you need to know about the Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card are:
- Sign-up bonus: You can earn a $50 statement credit on your first purchase of $150 or more made within 60 days from opening an account.
- Carry a balance: You have the option to carry a balance, which is subject to an ongoing APR of 23.99% or a minimum interest of $2.
Government entities, nonprofit organizations, and corporations can qualify for the Office Depot® OfficeMax® Business Credit Card. The corporation must be in business for at least three years with more than $5 million in annual sales to be eligible for an account with business-only liability.
Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card: Best for Nonprofit Organizations
Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card
BEST FOR:
Receiving exclusive vendor discounts
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
N/A - balance is due in full by the payment due date
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Up to 4% rebate on hotel bookings and dining
- Up to 1% rebate on fuel
- 5% rebate on Duns % Bradstreet
- 5% cashback on Microsoft advertising
- 10% rebate on Snapchat advertising
- 20% off with Dropbox
Pros
- No annual fee
- Automatic rebates
- Mastercard benefits
Cons
- Balance is due in full each month
- Strict eligibility requirements
- Vendor discounts: You’ll receive exclusive discounts at more than 200 national vendors through Purchasing Point. These include discounts on services at businesses such as FedEx and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. You can find all available vendors on the Purchasing Point’s vendor page.
- No personal guarantee: This card requires no personal guarantee, which means it doesn’t require a personal credit check. Plus, you aren’t personally liable for the company’s debt obligations.
- Extended warranty protection: Doubles the existing manufacturer’s warranty up to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per cardholder per year.
- Purchase assurance: Replaces new purchases that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per cardholder per year.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
N/A - balance is due in full by the payment due date
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- Up to 4% rebate on hotel bookings and dining
- Up to 1% rebate on fuel
- 5% rebate on Duns % Bradstreet
- 5% cashback on Microsoft advertising
- 10% rebate on Snapchat advertising
- 20% off with Dropbox
Pros
- No annual fee
- Automatic rebates
- Mastercard benefits
Cons
- Balance is due in full each month
- Strict eligibility requirements
- Vendor discounts: You’ll receive exclusive discounts at more than 200 national vendors through Purchasing Point. These include discounts on services at businesses such as FedEx and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. You can find all available vendors on the Purchasing Point’s vendor page.
- No personal guarantee: This card requires no personal guarantee, which means it doesn’t require a personal credit check. Plus, you aren’t personally liable for the company’s debt obligations.
- Extended warranty protection: Doubles the existing manufacturer’s warranty up to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per cardholder per year.
- Purchase assurance: Replaces new purchases that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per cardholder per year.
Why we like it: The Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card is a no-annual-fee business charge card designed for nonprofits. It made our list of the best credit cards for nonprofits because it offers exclusive discounts at more than 200 national vendors through Charity Charge’s partnership with CHAMPs. You can enjoy up to 20% discounts on your everyday expenses, such as office supplies, transportation, and wireless, with no enrollment fees and minimum purchase requirements.
It’s a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere that accepts Mastercard. Additionally, you’ll earn automatic rebates from Mastercard®, like up to 4% on hotel bookings and dining, up to 1% on fuel, 5% on Microsoft advertising, and more. Your rebates will be applied to your account automatically when you use your card to pay for eligible purchases at any participating merchant.
You should also keep in mind these important things about the Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card:
- Balance is due in full each month: Since this card is a charge card, you should pay your balance in full each month, or you’ll be charged with a late payment fee of 2.5% of the amount past due.
- Free employee cards: Nonprofits can order as many employee cards as they need at no additional cost.
- Control: Online account management allows you to set card limits for each employee and pause or cancel the card.
To qualify for the Charity Charge Nonprofit Business Card, your nonprofit must be US-based, be in operation for at least five years, and have a minimum of $100,000 in annual revenue. Nonprofits with at least two years in operation and $500,000 or more in annual revenue can also qualify.
Why Business Credit Card Companies Require Personal Guarantees
Credit card issuers are protected from the risk of unpaid debt by personal guarantees. A personal guarantee transfers that risk to the business owner directly, which is why nearly all business credit cards require a personal guarantee.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, about half of businesses fail in the first five years. Because of this, lenders and credit card issuers need assurance that someone will be liable to pay the business debt even if the business fails. If your business defaults on payments, a personal guarantee means that the issuer can attempt to collect the debt directly from you.
As a business owner, you can limit your personal risk by using a no-personal-guarantee credit card if your business meets the size and revenue requirements. You also have the option to use a business charge card or business debit card if you want to avoid a personal guarantee. These cards are much less likely to have restrictions on who qualifies for the card.
Other Ways to Limit Liability
Business cards with no personal guarantee are generally a better fit for medium and large businesses with high annual revenue. It’s important to note that a sole proprietor can’t get a business card without a personal guarantee.
If you’re a small business owner looking to limit your personal liability, here are a few tips you can use to reduce your exposure to unpaid debt and personal liability:
- Make payments on time: Making prompt payments is very crucial to avoid negative reporting on your personal credit. For charge cards where payments are withdrawn from your account automatically when the bill is due, make sure you have enough funds to cover the balance.
- Spend responsibly: Overspending increases the possibility that you won’t be able to make your payments in full or on time. Make sure to only charge expenses that you can afford to pay back right away.
- Manage employee spending: Most business credit cards offer online account management tools that you can use to apply spending controls and limits on employee cards. Limit the number of cards to only necessary users, and review employee card usage constantly.
How We Evaluated the Best Business Credit Cards With No Personal Guarantee
To determine the best business credit cards with no personal guarantee, we looked at fees, ease of application, and any rewards or benefits. We also considered the versatility of where the card could be used.
Bottom Line
Business credit cards with no personal guarantee are the right option if you don’t want the issuer to go after your personal assets in case you’re unable to pay your debts. However, it’s possible that your business assets will be seized if you fail to make payments on your card. As with any credit card, it’s important to use the card responsibly and in line with your budget.
If you’d like to see credit cards that require a personal guarantee, check out our guide to the best small business credit cards or visit our Credit Card Marketplace for a wider selection that’s available to more small business owners.
