Does Anything Happen To A Business Credit Card When The Business Name Changes?

Your business card is like your business card. It lists your business name and may even be personalized with your business logo. So, what happens when you change the business name? Do top credit card processors that facilitate credit card processing observe a similar process to facilitate such a name change? Will the credit card no longer work? Let us find answers to these and many similar questions to learn what's the best course of action to notify top credit card processors that facilitate credit card processing to get the change done.

Before we go into the details regarding the procedure to change the business name on the credit card, let us first find out under what circumstances you can apply for a change in the credit card name.

  • Ø  Your business merges with another business.
  • Ø  Your business has changed its focus and the new name better reflects that changed positioning.
  • Ø  A business owner sells the business and the new owner wants a different name.
  • Ø  A new name is required to avoid brand confusion.
  • Ø  A business simply wants a brand refresh.
  • Ø  The business has been associated with controversy or negative publicity.
  • Ø  There is a legal challenge to the existing name.


What Happens To A Business Credit Card When The Business Name Changes?

There are times when you need to contact your credit card issuing authority with the correct legal name, especially when the change is big or permanent. Alternatively, you may have to do nothing and keep using the card as it is, especially when you choose a fictitious name but the primary business name remains the same. There may also be a case when you need to close the business credit card account, open a new account, and get a new credit card under the new business name.

The first step to change the name on your business credit card is to simply notify the credit card issuing authority. For instance, if you have a Visa-powered credit card from ABC Ltd., you need to notify ABC Ltd. about such a change to ensure that you can keep on leveraging their credit card processing solutions. In this case, legal documentation will be required by ABC Ltd. from your side to facilitate such a name change.

The following steps would be required:

  1. You will have to notify your state's Department of Corporations, Secretary of State, or similar agencies with which your business is registered. You can find details about how to proceed with a business name change on their website or you can reach out to them in person, as the case may be.
  2. You may contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if required.
  3. Find out if your business requires a new employer identification number (EIN) that is equivalent to the social security number of your business.
  4. You will have to notify vendors, lenders, card issuers, and other stakeholders. Additionally, you will have to contact your banks to update the details regarding your changed business details so they can issue you revised documents such as a debit or credit card and a checkbook with the revised business name.
  5. It is also suggested that you have a word with the attorney to find out how to proceed with updating the business license, property titles, property registrations, intellectual property registrations, etc.

Does Changing Your Name Affect Credit?

Banks, top credit card processors, and financial institutions don't bring down your credit score when you decide to change the business name. Your existing individual and business accounts will stay on your credit reports and you will be able to experience the same credit card processing solutions as before. Once your business name is updated with the creditors (if any) and the Social Security Administration, the credit bureaus will be notified of the new information, and they will update your business reports automatically. The change may happen in a few days or weeks, depending on the authority or institution.

Conclusion

Your business name is an important part of your financial persona and a crucial marker of your business identity. If you have recently changed your business name, you must take immediate steps to update it everywhere. That includes your credit cards, especially to avoid your transactions getting denied by the service provider or merchant who asks for identification. The process to get the business name changed may be a bit complex, but it's always good to stay updated. Right?

Regardless of the name change, you should periodically monitor your business's credit report to ensure there are no errors or signs of fraud that may drag down their financial score.

We hope that this piece of information on how to proceed with the business name change and notifying top credit card processors who facilitate credit card processing with the change was useful to you.

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