Small business owners share many of the same ambitions, but the realities of running a business and its financial demands can look very different.

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That is why American Express has a history of supporting small businesses with solutions, programs and products designed for the different ways they operate – from creating Small Business Saturday® in 2010 to offering a suite of Amex-issued small business credit cards and integrated financial solutions that help businesses operate more efficiently.

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Through decades of championing small businesses, American Express understands that no two operate the same. An interior designer managing project-based expenses, an attorney overseeing a small law practice, an accountant navigating seasonal workloads and a homebuilder coordinating large-scale purchases all have distinct needs and should have flexible financial tools that can help them manage cash flow, invest in growth and keep their businesses moving.

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Now, American Express is building on this commitment by partnering with Mercantile, a small business credit card platform and division of Onboard Partners, to deliver a suite of new credit cards addressing the unique needs of small business owners in a new way – through the U.S. professional organizations that know their industries best and help their members succeed. The new portfolio includes:

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• The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) American Express® Business Card
• The American Bar Association (ABA) American Express® Business Card
• The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) American Express® Business Card
• The National Society of Accountants (NSA) American Express® Business Card
• The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) American Express® Business Card
• The State Bar of Michigan (SBM) American Express® Business Card

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The six professional organization credit cards offer benefits tailored to small business owners, including exclusive supplier discounts and integrations with tax and expense management software. Rewards are aligned with how professional organization members spend – select cardholders earn extra cashback on organization dues, conferences and education. NSA’s accountant cardholders earn cashback on accounting software and NAHB’s home builder cardholders earn extra cashback on building supplies. Cardholders also earn additional cashback for weekly autopay and for car rentals and hotels booked through Mercantile’s travel portal.

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The credit cards are issued by Celtic Bank and run on the American Express Network, giving cardholders access to Amex Offers™, Amex Experiences™, travel discounts and perks, along with a range of protections, including extended warranty and travel accident insurance. The portfolio is expected to expand to additional professional organizations in the future.

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"Small businesses are not one-size-fits-all and neither are their financial goals," said Will Stredwick, EVP of Global Network Services North America at American Express. "Through this partnership with Mercantile and Onboard Partners, we're able to bring the trusted benefits and protections of the American Express Network to more entrepreneurs while delivering credit solutions that are as dynamic as their work."

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“American Express was the right partner for Mercantile because of the strength of its brand, the trust it has built with businesses, the flexibility of its Network and the benefits it delivers to cardholders,” said Scott Shaw, CEO at Onboard Partners. “By combining these strengths with Mercantile’s deep relationships with professional organizations, we’re helping bring more relevant, tailored financial solutions to small business owners.”‍

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Scaling Through Partnership‍

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Behind the new credit card portfolio is the American Express Agile Partner Platform (APP), which enables fintechs and credit card program managers to develop and launch customized payment products on the American Express Network quickly and securely. Other cards launched on APP include the Coinbase One Card, Rakuten American Express Card and Fetch American Express Card.

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"Amex’s Agile Partner Platform gives partners like Mercantile the infrastructure to bring multiple credit cards to market efficiently and at scale, while maintaining a consistent experience across the portfolio," Stredwick said. "For American Express, it creates new ways to grow our Network and reach new customers – in this case, by bringing credit solutions to sole proprietors and entrepreneurs through the professional organizations that serve them.”‍

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Bringing the American Express Network to More Types of Small Businesses‍

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The launch adds to a growing lineup of small business products powered by the American Express Network, including the Square Credit Card and the MyLowe’s Pro Rewards American Express® Card. Together, these offerings demonstrate how American Express is working with a range of partners to bring the backing and benefits of its Network to more small businesses.

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Frequently Asked Questions‍

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• What new small business credit card did American Express announce?
  American Express announced that Mercantile, a small business credit card platform and division of Onboard Partners, will manage a new suite of small business credit cards for members of leading U.S. professional organizations on the American Express Network, with Celtic Bank serving as the issuer.

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• Who is eligible for a Mercantile small business credit card?
  The Mercantile credit cards that are issued by Celtic Bank and powered by the American Express Network are designed for small business owners, sole proprietors and entrepreneurs in the U.S. who are members of the participating professional organizations.‍

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• Which professional organizations are included in the initial lineup of Mercantile credit cards?
  The initial lineup includes credit cards for members of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), American Bar Association (ABA), Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), National Society of Accountants (NSA), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and State Bar of Michigan (SBM).‍

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• What benefits do the Mercantile small business credit cards offer?
  The six professional organization credit cards offer benefits tailored to small business owners, including exclusive supplier discounts and integrations with tax and expense management software. Rewards are aligned with how professional organization members spend – select cardholders earn extra cashback on organization dues, conferences and education. NSA’s accountant cardholders earn extra cashback on accounting software, and NAHB’s home builder cardholders earn extra cashback on building supplies. Cardholders also earn additional cashback for weekly autopay, and for car rentals and hotels booked through Mercantile’s travel portal.
  
  The Mercantile credit cards also provide American Express Network benefits, including access to Amex Offers™, Amex Experiences™, travel discounts and perks, and protections including extended warranty and travel accident insurance.

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• What is the American Express Agile Partner Platform?
  The American Express Agile Partner Platform, or APP, enables fintechs and credit card program managers to develop and launch customized payment products on the American Express Network quickly and securely.

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• What other small business card offerings does American Express have?
  American Express offers a range of small business Cards issued by American Express, including the Business Gold Card, Business Platinum Card® and Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card. These Amex-issued Cards provide rewards, benefits and tools designed to help business owners manage expenses, access working capital and grow their businesses. American Express also supports small businesses through credit cards that run on the American Express Network and are issued by third-party bank partners, including the Square Credit Card and the MyLowe’s Pro Rewards American Express® Card.

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Read the press release on the American Express Newsroom.

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