best business credit cards for new llcs with no credit history

the challenge

You just filed your LLC paperwork. You have an EIN, a business bank account, and big plans. But when you apply for a business credit card, you hit a wall: no credit history. Most issuers want to see at least a year of business credit or a strong personal score.

The good news? There are two paths forward for new LLCs: secured business cards (you put down a deposit, which becomes your credit limit) and corporate cards (approval is based on your business cash flow and revenue, not your credit score).1

Here's what we recommend, ranked by what matters most for a brand-new LLC.

the picks

1. bank of america business advantage unlimited cash rewards secured card

Best overall secured option. This card requires a security deposit (minimum $1,000) but rewards you with 1.5% unlimited cash back on every purchase. It reports to both personal and business credit bureaus, and after responsible use, Bank of America may graduate you to an unsecured card — returning your deposit.1

→ View on Bank of America

2. valley business secured credit card

Best for low start-up cost. Valley's secured card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 6–12 months (terms vary), giving you breathing room while you get your LLC off the ground. The minimum deposit is lower than Bank of America's, making it accessible for bootstrapped founders.1

→ View on Valley

3. ramp corporate card

Best for funded startups (no personal credit check). Ramp is a corporate card that approves you based on your business's cash flow and revenue — not your personal credit score. There's no security deposit, no personal guarantee for most LLCs, and you get 1.5% cash back on all spending. Best for LLCs that already have some revenue or funding.2

→ View on Ramp

4. fnbo business secured card

Strong alternative where your deposit earns interest. First National Bank of Omaha's secured card pays interest on your security deposit while it's held — a small perk that adds up over time. It reports to business credit bureaus and has a straightforward rewards structure.1

→ View on FNBO

5. nav business secured card

Best for dual credit reporting. Nav's secured card reports to both personal credit bureaus and business credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, Equifax Business). This dual reporting is ideal if your goal is to build business credit fast so you can qualify for unsecured cards and loans down the road.1

→ View on Nav

comparison table

secured vs. corporate: what's the difference?

Secured cards require a cash deposit that acts as collateral. Your credit limit is typically equal to your deposit (e.g., deposit $2,000 = $2,000 limit). These are the most reliable option for brand-new LLCs with zero history because the issuer takes almost no risk. The deposit is refundable when you close the account or graduate to an unsecured card.1

Corporate cards like Ramp don't require a deposit. Instead, they evaluate your business's bank account transactions and revenue. If your LLC has been operating for a few months with consistent cash flow, you may qualify without any personal credit check. These cards typically don't report to personal credit bureaus (unless you default), which protects your personal score.2

how to build business credit from scratch

1. Get an EIN — You already have this if you formed an LLC. Use it for all credit applications.
2. Open a dedicated business bank account — Lenders want to see business banking activity.
3. Apply for a secured business card — Start with one of the picks above. Use it for small, regular expenses and pay in full each month.
4. Make sure your card reports to business bureaus — Not all cards do. The picks above all report to at least one business credit bureau (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, Equifax Business).
5. Add trade lines — Once you have 6–12 months of credit history, apply for net-30 accounts with business suppliers.
6. Monitor your business credit scores — Services like Nav and Dun & Bradstreet's CreditSignal let you track progress.

Building business credit takes time — typically 6–12 months of consistent, on-time payments before you'll qualify for premium unsecured cards. But the secured card path is the most reliable way to start.1

Disclosure: AskBuy may earn a commission when you apply for a card through the links above. We only recommend products we've researched and believe are genuinely useful for new LLCs building credit.