ARLINGTON, Va., May 16, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

In an important contribution to National Small Business Week, Better Business Bureau and Capital One Financial Corp. have partnered to create a unique set of free resources to help small businesses learn how to effectively use and manage their credit. Recognizing that not every credit cardholder is the same, BBB and Capital One are pleased to announce the addition of a new free online Guide with tips and useful advice to help meet the unique credit and money management needs of small businesses.

"Faced with the realities of the economic downturn, millions of small businesses have been forced to take a second look at their finances, including examining their spending habits and how they use credit," said Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO, Council of Better Business Bureaus. "Regularly examining your business's finances, including how and why you use credit, is important. BBB's Managing Credit - Made Simpler provides easy-to-follow tips, checklists, and advice compiled to help small businesses better handle and successfully build their business's credit record."

Most small business owners understand the need to manage credit effectively, however there is no "one size fits all" model of how to do it. Managing Credit - Made Simplerprovides a clear set of guidelines that will help them make wise decisions on their small business credit and identify strategies to help small business owners take charge of their business's financial condition.

"Used wisely, credit can be an invaluable tool. Small-business credit cards can provide much-needed cash flow, and many business cards offer special record-keeping resources and valuable rewards programs that really make a difference," said Rajsaday Dutt, Sr. Director, Capital One's Small Business Card division. "Armed with basic information about credit, including understanding of card agreements and knowing what's expected of business cardholders, small business owners can make better choices about how they're using their cards. Our goal is to empower small business owners to take control of their finances and benefit from card features that can really work for their business."

The new guide, Managing Credit -- Made Simpler: Small Businesses, is available at www.bbb.org/credit-management and includes practical advice and checklists to help small business owners choose the right type of card to meet their business needs. The guide outlines some of the most common features, benefits, and issues to consider before choosing a card, including:

• Expense tracking. Most business cards provide expense reports that are divided into categories and make it easy to track your spending and report expenses for your taxes. You may be able to import the information into your accounting and tax software.
• Higher limits. A business credit card may offer higher spending limits than a personal card, which can help with monthly cash flow. It is also important to separate your business from your personal expenses to simplify reporting.
• Cards for employees. Many business cards allow multiple employee cards on your account with pre-set spending limits, which helps build business credibility and simplifies expense tracking and travel reimbursement.
• Helps build your business credit record. A good history managing a business credit card can help you build your business credit record and improve your profile when applying for a business loan and line of credit.
• Added protection. A business credit card may also provide travel insurance and auto rental insurance for you and your employees.
• Special perks. The business card may offer airport lounge memberships, concierge services, and other special benefits.
• Extra benefits. Most business cards offer rewards programs or cash rebates.

BBB and Capital One created Managing Credit - Made Simpler to give customized credit management guidance to different types of credit users, based on their specific needs and perspectives. Small business owners will now have a variety of topics to choose from that will all cater to the needs of running a successful small business. Topics include strategies to pay off balances faster, choosing the right kind of card for your business, how to improve a business's credit score, strategies to leverage cash and credit, and fraud prevention guidelines.

All of the resources and guidance made available through Managing Credit - Made Simpler can be found online for free at www.bbb.org/credit-management/.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Kelsey Owen with BBB at 703-247-9376 or kowen@council.bbb.org; or Pam Girardo with Capital One at 703-720-2351 or pam.girardo@capitalone.com.

About BBB

BBB, the leader in advancing marketplace trust, is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 122 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, providing trustworthy consumer and small business advice in addition to evaluating and monitoring more than four million local and national businesses and charities. Visit www.bbb.org for more information.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com), headquartered in McLean, Virginia, is a Fortune 500 company with approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Its subsidiaries, Capital One, N.A. and Capital One Bank (USA), N. A., offer a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Capital One Small Business offers a range of products and services to meet small business needs, with a team of bankers committed to deepening relationships with small business owners and helping them achieve their financial goals. Capital One continuously invests in programs designed to increase money management skills through participation in innovative, interactive learning opportunities. Visit www.capitalone.com/financialeducation for more information.

SOURCE: Better Business Bureau and Capital One Financial Corp.

BBB:
Kelsey Owen, 703-247-9376
or
Capital One:
Pam Girardo, 703-720-2351