Bank of america business advantage customer service

Get the answers you need to pick the card that's best for your business.

Applying for a card

What do I need to apply for a small business credit card?

When you apply for a Bank of America business credit card, you will be asked for information about yourself, your company, and any additional cardholders you designate. To speed up the application process, it will be helpful to have several items on hand. These include:

Business information

• Business tax ID (or Social Security number for sole proprietors)
• Legal business name and structure
• Date business was formed
• Country and state of legal formation (formed in U.S. to apply online) and where you conduct your primary business operations (must be a U.S.-operating business)
• Gross Annual Sales and net profit

Beneficial Owner and Controlling Manager

• Name and title of person opening account
• Name and address of entity for the account
• Name, date of birth, Social Security number (U.S. Citizens), passport number and country of issuance (for foreign individuals), residential address, country of citizenship, country of residence, and percentage of ownership for each Beneficial Owner
• Name, date of birth, Social Security number (U.S. Citizens), passport number and country of issuance (for foreign individuals), residential address, country of citizenship, country of residence for each controlling individual (this information is required even if no equity owner has 25% or greater ownership)
• Certification that information provided on the Beneficial Owner and/or controlling manager is accurate

Personal information for all card holders

• Social Security number (to verify your identity)
• Date of birth
• Address
• Valid email address

Your application will authorize Bank of America to obtain a credit report or other information to help verify application information. Bank of America works with Equifax for Small Business credit reporting. Small Business credit cards are backed by personal credit, however they are not included on your credit report as long as your credit card is in good standing.

Please note additional financial information or other documents may be requested prior to the completion of your application review.

Why do I need a small business credit card?

Small business owners benefit from using a small business credit card by separating business expenses from your personal expenses. This can help you manage your cash flow, help protect you from fraudulent charges, maintain control over your employee spending and help make tax preparation easier.

Plus you’ll get the convenience of using a credit card for everyday purchases while earning cash or travel rewards (most cards) for your business. Finally, established businesses can use a small business credit card to start building credit for the business. A good small business credit history will be critical for when the business is ready to grow.

Who can apply?

Business credit cards require the owner or an authorized officer who can borrow on behalf of the business to apply. Applicants should be U.S. residents or resident aliens with a US address (foreign business clients are not eligible to apply online at this time).

What is the status of my application?

Application processing can be complete within 24 hours of application submission but is generally completed within 10-12 business days. You will be contacted via phone if there are questions related to your application or documentation required. As a regulatory requirement, a credit decision will be mailed to you within 30 days of application submission.

How many cards can I request for my company?

There's no limit to the number of cards you can request. Existing clients can request additional cardholders by signing in to Online Banking, going to the Information & Services tab for the account and selecting Add authorized user under Services.