Business Credit Card Regulations Slips Through Cracks
Businesses found it tough to borrow and despite arbitrary increase hikes by major credit card players, they often resorted to using business credit cards to get an easy business loan. While consumers welcomed new regulations that changed the credit card industry’s most grievous practices, however, businesses did not get to share in that good news. Business credit cards are not required to follow the rules established by the Credit Card Act. In fact, some credit card companies have taken to making up new rules for business cards, making it very important for business owners to keep a close eye on their accounts.
Rules That Don’t Apply
Some of the rules that alleviate consumer distress over credit cards don’t apply to business cards. The new rule that creditors can not raise rates unless an account is late does not apply. The rule that they must give 45 days notice of rate increase also doesn’t apply. That means that business owners who are relying on their business cards still have many of the dubious practices that caused lots of consumer headaches, but with not way to address them other than to pay off and close the account.
Additional Rules
Also, business owners may now find that their business card purchases are showing up on their personal credit reports. This can cause them problems if they frequently use the business credit card and can impact their personal credit score, actually lowering it. Some business credit cards, like American Express, do not have the same practice. You need to check your credit reports every month to see what is and what isn’t showing up on your personal credit history and try to keep your business purchases separate.
Should You Use Personal Credit?
The consensus in business is that you should never mix your personal and business credit. Should your business struggle or fail, your personal credit would then be ruined if you had done this. Even though it may be tempting to close your business credit cards and rely on personal credit to finance your business due to greater oversight, in the end it’s not a good idea.