The Bank of America has been building on its existing small business lending portfolio over the past years. Three years ago, it was already one of the top small business lenders in Florida with over $1.5 billion in small business loans and over half that amount being micro-loans under $100,000. With its recent acquisition of credit card issuer, MBNA, the bank has moved into the growing small business credit card market.



Business caution about the economy has not managed to dampen the dynamic growth in the small business credit card market. Having banked on small business for some time now and having a big credit card operation under its wing, Bank of America is looking up their activities through small business credit cards.

Their business credit card package affords small businesses the opportunity to schedule electronic payments ahead of time, thereby freeing up a time consuming administrative task on the part of the business owner. Business credit card holders also get purchase protection, which doubles the manufacturer's warranty period on purchases made by up to an additional year.

Credit lines for business credit card holders are flexible, and can go up to $25,000. The business? everyday business purchases earn discounts and cash backs too.

The bank has taken line of credit for business credit cards one step further. The small business credit card holders can now link their checking accounts in the bank with their business credit card. In the event that your checking account suffers an overdraft, the bank automatically extends its overdraft protection benefit. This means they will transfer funds, in multiples of $100, from your business credit card account to cover the overdraft.

This automatic loan against the business credit cards? line of credit should save small business owners a lot of embarrassment. The bank will extend this protection provided that there is sufficient credit remaining in the business credit card account and if the account is not in default under the Business Credit Card Agreement.

If your business credit card account cannot cover the overdraft, you may still have a problem though. To address that possibility, the bank will release sufficient funds even if it will cause your business credit card account to breach the pre-set credit limit. The business will be expected to settle this loan during the next payment period, but this facility can lift a heavy load from the business owner's shoulders.

You may be concerned about financial charges. First of all, after the zero percent APR during the 9-month introductory period, your business credit card will be imposed a regular rate of prime rate plus either 6.99% or 9.99% APR (some other versions of the Bank of America business credit cards impose variable APR of either 15.24% or 18.24%).

Business credit card cash advances are subject to prime rate plus 15.99% APR, with a minimum of 19.99%, plus a cash advance fee of 3%, with a minimum $10 fee. If the cash advance causes the business credit card account to exceed the credit limit, you will be levied an over-credit limit fee, as specified in your Business Credit Card agreement.