Bank of America
Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard secured credit card
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee. Designed for business credit building with a $1,000 minimum security deposit.
Annual fee
None
Top rate
1.5x everything else
Quick look
1.5% cash back, no annual fee
Earn unlimited rewards while building business credit
3.5
out of 5
Rewards
Fees
Welcome bonus
Perks
Value
Overall score is a weighted average: Rewards 20% · Fees 20% · Welcome bonus 20% · Perks 20% · Value 20%.
Ideal for
Self-employed professionals and new business owners building business credit for the first time. Anyone who can't qualify for unsecured business cards but wants straightforward, fee-free cash back.
The verdict
A straightforward entry point for business owners building credit from scratch. The combination of no annual fee, flat 1.5% rewards, and deposit-backed approval makes it approachable when unsecured cards are out of reach. The tradeoff is obvious: you'll earn less than competitors who can access category-based cards or no-fee unlimited offerings with bigger bonuses, and tying up a $1,000 security deposit extends your payback window. This card shines for the self-employed or startup founder establishing business credit for the first time—not for anyone with already-solid business approval odds.
The secured positioning matters. This is explicitly designed for credit builders, not a feature-rich workhorse. Size your expectations accordingly, and plan to graduate to the unsecured version once your business credit history allows.
Pros
- No annual fee keeps credit-building costs down while you establish a track record
- Flat 1.5% cash back everywhere—no categories to track, simple business accounting
- Easier approval than unsecured cards, especially for thin or troubled business credit
Cons
- $1,000+ security deposit ties up cash and extends time to see net earnings
- 1.5% cash back trails unsecured cards (2-5% in categories) available to established businesses
- No sign-up bonus means pure time-on-card payback, not an initial earnings boost
Reward rates
| Category | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Everything else | 1.5x | 1.5% cash back on all purchases |
1.5% flat on everything keeps accounting simple and removes the burden of tracking bonus categories—useful when you're focused on building credit, not maximizing every dollar. You'll earn less than business cards targeting those with established credit (Chase Ink Business Cash earns 5% on select categories, Wells Fargo Signify earns up to 3%), but this card's simplicity and approval odds offset that gap for the credit-building phase.
Fees and APR
Does it pay for itself?
Zero annual fee is the strongest feature here. Most business cards charge $95–$550, so eliminating that expense is crucial when your priority is establishing credit history without unnecessary financial drag. The flip side: you lose access to the premium perks bundled with higher-fee cards.
Other benefits
- Zero liability protection for unauthorized transactions
- Balance Connect for overdraft protection
- Fraud monitoring
- Purchase security
- Travel accident insurance up to $100,000
- Auto rental insurance
- Emergency ticket replacement
- Lost-luggage assistance
- Legal and medical referrals when traveling
- Free access to Dun & Bradstreet business credit scores
- Cash flow management tools with automatic payments and QuickBooks integration
- Digital wallet support for contactless payments
- Paperless statement option
Similar cards
Same 1.5% rewards and no fee, but unsecured—requires stronger credit and adds a $500 welcome bonus.
Also no annual fee and unlimited rewards, but earns 1.5% and offers $1,000 cash bonus—requires unsecured approval and better credit standing.
Frequently asked questions
Will this help me build business credit?
Yes—the account reports to business credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax Business, Experian Business), so on-time payments and low utilization build your business profile. This is the main reason to consider a secured card if credit is thin. However, account age and activity alone won't guarantee approval for higher-tier cards later; lenders also check revenue, business structure, and personal credit.
Can I recover the security deposit?
Yes, but not immediately. After demonstrating responsible use (typically 6–12 months of on-time payments and low balances), you can request the card issuer release the deposit back to you. Bank of America's online banking portal usually shows you the deposit balance; contact their business service line to initiate the upgrade or request a release.
How does this compare to getting an unsecured business card?
If you can qualify for an unsecured card, you should. The unsecured Business Advantage Unlimited earns the same 1.5% rewards but adds a $500 bonus and doesn't require tying up $1,000. Secured cards exist precisely because some business owners can't clear unsecured approval—not because secured cards are superior.
Does Bank of America charge a foreign transaction fee?
Bank of America's standard business Mastercards typically charge 3% on purchases made outside the U.S. Confirm the exact rate on your welcome materials or by calling business service, as terms may vary by card version.
Reviewed by YoungerFinance Editorial · Last updated August 10, 2026