If your business is labeled high-risk — CBD, gaming, adult, or any industry with elevated chargeback rates — traditional credit cards and merchant accounts are often off the table. This guide covers secured business credit cards, multi-currency accounts, payment processors, and SBA loans as practical alternatives for building credit and accessing capital.
If your business operates in CBD, gaming, adult entertainment, or any industry with elevated chargeback rates, you've probably been told "no" more times than you can count. Payment processors and banks classify these as high-risk businesses — companies deemed more susceptible to fraud, chargebacks, or financial instability.2
Here's the thing: a high-risk label doesn't mean you can't get credit. It means you need to approach it differently. Most traditional business credit cards and merchant accounts aren't designed for you. But secured cards, multi-currency accounts, and alternative funding options are.
This guide covers the four best options for high-risk businesses in 2026, from credit-building secured cards to SBA loans for growth capital.
Best for: building business credit from scratch
The Valley Bank Visa Secured Business credit card is the top pick for high-risk businesses looking to establish or rebuild credit. It's a secured card — you put down a refundable security deposit that becomes your credit limit — which means approval is far more accessible than unsecured cards.1
What makes this card stand out is the 0% introductory APR promotion, which gives you breathing room while you get your business finances in order.3 As you use the card responsibly, your payment activity is reported to business credit bureaus, helping you build a credit profile that will eventually qualify you for unsecured lines.
> Who it's for: Any high-risk business that needs a reliable path to building credit without worrying about rejection.
Check Valley Bank Visa Secured Business →
Best for: international payments & avoiding bank freezes
Wise Business isn't a credit card — it's a multi-currency account that lets you hold, send, and receive money in 40+ currencies at real exchange rates. For high-risk businesses operating internationally, this is critical.
Traditional banks often freeze or close accounts for high-risk merchants without warning. Wise provides a more stable alternative for holding funds across currencies. You get local bank details in the US, UK, EU, and more, which means you can get paid like a local business even if your primary merchant account is unstable.
> Who it's for: High-risk businesses with international customers or suppliers who need a reliable way to move money across borders.
Best for: payment acceptance when merchant accounts are denied
PayPal is often the first payment processor that will accept high-risk merchants when traditional merchant account providers say no. While PayPal's fees are higher than standard processing rates, the trade-off is access to a payment layer that millions of customers already trust.
For high-risk businesses, PayPal provides a critical fallback: if you can't get a direct merchant account, you can still accept credit card payments through PayPal Checkout. It also offers PayPal Working Capital loans based on your sales history — a potential funding source when traditional credit is unavailable.
> Who it's for: High-risk merchants who need a reliable payment gateway while they work toward a direct merchant account.
Best for: growth capital when revolving credit isn't an option
The SBA 7(a) loan program is the primary alternative for high-risk businesses that need capital but can't secure traditional revolving credit lines. These loans are partially guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, which reduces risk for lenders and makes approval possible for businesses that wouldn't qualify otherwise.
SBA 7(a) loans can be used for working capital, equipment, real estate, and even refinancing debt. The application process is more involved than a credit card application, but the terms — lower interest rates and longer repayment periods — are significantly better than alternative financing like merchant cash advances.
> Who it's for: Established high-risk businesses with at least two years of operating history that need substantial capital for growth.
| Dimension | Secured Credit Cards | Traditional Unsecured Cards | Alternative Funding (SBA Loans) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approval difficulty | Low — deposit-based | Very high for high-risk | Moderate — requires documentation |
| Credit building | Strong — reported to bureaus | Strong | Limited — not revolving credit |
| Capital access | Low (deposit = limit) | Medium to high | High — up to $5M |
| Best for | Building credit from scratch | Established businesses | Growth capital |
If your FICO score is below 580 — which is common for businesses in high-risk industries that have faced chargeback issues — secured cards are the most realistic path forward.1 Here's why:
Being labeled high-risk doesn't mean you're stuck. The Valley Bank Visa Secured Business card gives you a reliable credit-building tool. Wise Business keeps your international funds stable. PayPal gets you accepting payments today. And SBA 7(a) loans provide real capital when you're ready to grow.
Start with the secured card, build your credit, and layer on the other tools as your business scales.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you sign up through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we've researched and believe provide genuine value for high-risk businesses.
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