Corporate cards are quite popular among businesses. They let employees handle work expenses without using personal money, making spending on travel, entertainment, and operations easier.
Many employees wonder if corporate cards affect their credit scores. Since these cards are in the company’s name, they usually don’t impact personal credit. However, some situations, like personal liability agreements, can affect credit. This article will explore the impact of corporate cards on credit scores.
What Are Corporate Cards And How Do They Work?
Corporate credit cards are cards owned by a registered organization. They cover business expenses like travel, entertainment, and operations. The company, not the employee, pays the bill.
Corporate cards offer convenience and expense tracking. However, they differ from business credit cards used by small businesses. Corporate cards are for larger companies with multiple employees who need access to funds.
Read related blogs: Emergency Loans for Bad Credit in NC
Do Corporate Cards Impact Your Credit Score?
A common worry is whether a corporate card affects personal credit. Usually, corporate cards are separate from personal credit scores. Since the card belongs to the company, its use shouldn’t appear on personal credit reports. However, there are exceptions.
Late payments or misuse can harm personal credit if an employee is personally liable for the card, such as by signing an agreement. Therefore, it is vital to understand the liability terms before using a corporate card.
How Corporate Card Usage Can Affect Your Credit Profile?
Corporate cards don’t affect credit scores, but the credit that one is issued can negatively affect the score.
Missed Payment: Failing to pay the corporate card bill can harm business credit.
Authorized Users: Being added as an authorized user carries risks. If the primary holder misses a payment or overspends, it impacts your score.
High Utilization: Using the total credit limit can hurt your plan. It might not directly affect personal credit, but it raises red flags.
Read related blogs: Personal Loans in New York For Bad Credit
Differences Between Corporate Cards and Personal Credit Cards
Corporate Cards
Corporate cards are for businesses. They often have perks, including travel rewards, extended warranties, and purchase protection, which are valuable for businesses and their employees.
Personal Credit Cards
Personal credit cards are for individuals. They are tied to personal credit history. Users are responsible for paying the bills. These cards offer benefits, too, such as cashback, travel miles, and points.
Managing Corporate Card Use to Protect Your Credit Score
Corporate cards don’t affect your credit score. But your behavior with them can. It may influence your credit profile.
Pay on Time: Pay within the due time to avoid delinquencies on your business credit report.
Review statements regularly: Check your corporate card statements for unauthorized charges or errors.
Avoid Excessive Spending: Stick to the company’s budget. This prevents high utilization from being reported to personal bureaus.
Conclusion
Corporate cards usually only affect personal credit if there’s personal liability. Knowing the card terms, spending wisely, and timely expense reports can protect your credit. These cards don’t directly impact your credit score. However, your actions with them do.
Missed payments, high usage, and unauthorized charges can harm your credit. Consider using a service like Beem to monitor your credit and spot issues. Responsible use of corporate cards reduces the risk of a lower credit score.
People Also Ask
Do corporate credit cards affect your credit score?
No, corporate credit cards generally affect an individual’s credit history. This holds until you guarantee the debt in a personal liability provision. In that situation, the bill remains unpaid by you but rather by the company.
How does using a corporate card impact your credit?
In general, credit operations do not affect branded corporate card usage. However, this changes if you are personally liable to repay. For example, when you procure corporate credit cards, actively encourage timely repayments.
What is the difference between corporate and business credit cards?
Various Companies often provide employees with corporate credit cards for work expenses. Meanwhile, small businesses typically use credit cards linked to the owner’s credit history.
