American Express® Business Line of Credit: 2025 Review
This page includes information about the American Express® Business Line of Credit. The information about the American Express® Business Line of Credit has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by American Express. Some information may be outdated.
Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Sally Lauckner has over a decade of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She has a master's in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's in English and history from Columbia University. Email: slauckner@nerdwallet.com.
Sally Lauckner has over a decade of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She has a master's in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's in English and history from Columbia University. Email: slauckner@nerdwallet.com.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small business and personal finance.
50+ categories of the best business loan selections.
NerdWallet's small-business loans content, including ratings, recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Senior Writer & Content Strategist | Small business, business banking, business loans
Randa Kriss is a senior writer and NerdWallet authority on small business. She has nearly a decade of experience in digital content. Prior to joining NerdWallet in 2020, Randa worked as a writer at Fundera, covering a wide variety of small-business topics and specializing in the lending and banking spaces. Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, The Associated Press and Nasdaq, among others. Randa earned a bachelor's degree in English and Spanish at Iona University (formerly Iona College).
Sally Lauckner has over a decade of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She has a master's in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's in English and history from Columbia University. Email: slauckner@nerdwallet.com.
Sally Lauckner has over a decade of experience in print and online journalism. Before joining NerdWallet, Sally was the editorial director at Fundera, where she built and led a team focused on small-business content. Her prior experience includes two years as a senior editor at SmartAsset, where she edited a wide range of personal finance content, and five years at the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, where she held a variety of editorial roles. She has a master's in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's in English and history from Columbia University. Email: slauckner@nerdwallet.com.
NerdWallet's content is
fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance by humans.
It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
our
Editorial Guidelines.
Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small business and personal finance.
50+ categories of the best business loan selections.
NerdWallet's small-business loans content, including ratings, recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business lending. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, MSN and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
Advertiser disclosure
You’re our first priority.
Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance
we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are
objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
American Express® Business Line of Credit*
Overview
The bottom line:
The American Express® Business Line of Credit is a good option for business owners with fair credit who want access to working capital.
Loan details
Min. Loan Amount
$2,000
Min. Term Length
6 months
Max Loan Amount
$250,000
Max Term Length
24 months
Qualifications
Min. credit score
660
Min. Time in Business
12 months
Min. Annual Revenue
$36,000
Pros & Cons
Pros
Streamlined application process with minimal paperwork.
Financing from $2,000 to $250,000 available.
Accepts borrowers with a minimum FICO score of at least 660 at the time of application (though the required FICO score may be higher based on your relationship with American Express, credit history, and other factors).
Monthly repayment schedule (as opposed to daily or weekly).
No prepayment penalties, account maintenance fees or draw fees.
Cons
Must have online checking or PayPal account to verify cash flow.
Complex monthly fee structure makes it difficult to compare costs to other lenders.
The American Express® Business Line of Credit* is available to borrowers with a minimum FICO score of at least 660* at the time of application. (Note that the required FICO score may be higher based on your relationship with American Express, credit history, and other factors.)
This product is known for its streamlined application process in which borrowers can connect their business checking accounts to avoid application paperwork. Keep in mind that all businesses are unique and subject to approval and review when applying for a line of credit.
How much do you need?
We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the
unique needs of your business.
Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you
on the process moving forward.
🤓
Nerdy Tip
Kabbage rebranded to American Express Business Blueprint™ in February 2023. Business Blueprint includes the American Express® Business Line of Credit, among other products.
The American Express® Business Line of Credit is best for borrowers who:
Don’t have perfect personal credit: While underwriting your loan, American Express focuses on less traditional information like banking, accounting and e-commerce data. That makes it a good fit for business owners with rocky credit histories.
Prefer a short repayment period: American Express offers business lines of credit from $2,000 to $250,000 with repayment terms of six, 12, 18 or 24 months.
American Express® Business Line of Credit
Loan amount
$2,000 to $250,000.
Monthly fees
Instead of traditional interest, American Express charges monthly fees depending on your loan's term. Total monthly fees incurred over the loan term range are:
3% to 9% for six-month loans.
6% to 18% for 12-month loans.
9% to 27% for 18-month loans.
12% to 18% for 24-month loans.
Additional fees
No application fee, annual fee, monthly maintenance fee or origination fee.
No prepayment penalty.
Late payment and unsuccessful payment fees may apply based on the information in your loan agreement.
Where American Express® Business Line of Credit stands out
Streamlined application process
The application process for the American Express® Business Line of Credit doesn’t require paperwork. Instead, you connect a business checking account, bookkeeping software or payment solution (such as PayPal or Square) to the American Express Business Blueprint™ platform and the company uses data from these accounts to evaluate your eligibility.
Available to startup businesses and business owners with fair credit
Although the American Express® Business Line of Credit may not be as startup-friendly as some competitors (who work with companies with only six months in business), borrowers who have started their business at least a year ago can qualify for this product. Startup business lines of credit can be used to manage cash flow gaps, cover short-term expenses or take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
Similarly, if you have fair credit — and can’t qualify for a bank small-business loan — the American Express® Business Line of Credit can be a good choice for access to working capital. Although American Express requires a minimum FICO score of at least 660* at the time of application, the company primarily considers data from the accounts you link, your average monthly revenue and the number of years you’ve been in business to evaluate your application, determine your credit limit and set your fees.
Whereas some lenders may charge draw fees or account maintenance fees with their line of credit products, American Express does not charge any extraneous fees. With an American Express® Business Line of Credit, you’ll pay a monthly fee (equivalent to interest) during the months you have an outstanding balance. American Express does not charge application fees, origination fees, annual fees or monthly maintenance fees.
You also have the option to pay back your loan early; American Express does not charge any prepayment penalties.
Where American Express® Business Line of Credit falls short
Complex fee structure
American Express charges a fee each month that you have an outstanding balance — instead of a more traditional interest rate. You’ll pay this fee in addition to your monthly loan principal payments.
The specific fee you receive will vary based on your loan term, as well as your creditworthiness and other factors. Total monthly fees incurred over the loan term range are:
3% to 9% for six-month loans.
6% to 18% for 12-month loans.
9% to 27% for 18-month loans.
12% to 18% for 24-month loans.
Each time you draw from your line of credit, American Express issues you a separate installment loan with its own loan agreement. You’ll then pay fees on each individual loan.
American Express' proprietary fee structure makes it difficult to compare their costs to other lenders. You should always calculate these types of fees into an annual percentage rate to understand the total borrowing costs.
American Express offers small-business loans only in the form of lines of credit and doesn’t offer any other products, such as term loans or invoice financing. If you’d prefer a different type of business loan, you’ll have to consider other lenders.
The American Express® Business Line of Credit is also available only in small amounts — from $2,000 to $250,000 — with short terms of six, 12, 18 or 24 months. Businesses that are looking for larger loan amounts or longer terms will want to explore alternative options.
A minimum FICO score of at least 660* at the time of application.
You started your business at least a year ago.
Average monthly revenue of at least $3,000.
You must be able to link a bank account that shows business revenue to qualify for an American Express® Business Line of Credit. It's also important to keep in mind that all businesses are unique and subject to approval and review.
How to apply for an American Express® Business Line of Credit
You can apply for an American Express® Business Line of Credit online. First, you’ll need to create and log in to your American Express account. Then, you will connect your business checking account and any additional accounts to the American Express Business Blueprint™ platform.
American Express will also ask for basic information about you and your business including:
Your name, home address and phone number.
Your business name, address and phone number.
Your business industry.
Your business tax ID.
Your Social Security number.
Before you submit your application, American Express will ask you to consent to a hard pull on your credit.
If you are approved for an American Express® Business Line of Credit, you’ll receive a loan agreement that lays out your credit line amount, term length and monthly fees.
You will have to sign a personal guarantee as part of your loan agreement.
Keep in mind that when you draw on your credit line, American Express does have minimum withdrawal requirements based on your term length:
Alternatives to the American Express® Business Line of Credit
OnDeck
Like American Express, online lender OnDeck has a streamlined application process. OnDeck offers business lines of credit of up to $100,000 and term loans of up to $250,000. OnDeck lines of credit can have weekly or monthly repayments, whereas American Express’ repayments are monthly, but OnDeck will accept a minimum credit score of 625. Interest rates on both products run high compared with American Express, however.
Bluevine offers a business line of credit up to $250,000. And similar to OnDeck, Bluevine can approve applications in just minutes.
Interest rates on a Bluevine line of credit range from approximately 14% to 48% APR with terms of six or 6 months. You may be able to qualify with a credit score of 625 or higher.
The best business loan is generally the one with the lowest rates and most ideal terms. But other factors — like time to fund and your business’s qualifications — can help determine which option you should choose. NerdWallet recommends comparing small-business loans to find the right fit for your business.
* American Express® Business Line of Credit* offers two loan types, installment loans and single repayment loans for eligible borrowers. All loan term types, loan term lengths, and pricing are subject to eligibility requirements, application, and final approval. This content contains general information about the American Express® Business Line of Credit* installment loan type only.
*The required FICO score may be higher based on your relationship with American Express, credit history, and other factors.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Yes, as part of the application process, American Express will perform a hard credit pull on your personal and business credit scores.
No, American Express does not currently file UCC liens on its business line of credit borrowers.
Kabbage rebranded to American Express Business Blueprint™ in February 2023. Business Blueprint incorporates the American Express® Business Line of Credit and American Express® Business Checking account, among other products, into one platform.
The American Express® Business Line of Credit maintains the same features and qualifications as the now-defunct Kabbage line of credit.
