What American Express publishes about its line
Amex lists line sizes from $2,000 to $1,000,000, with lines at qualification capped at $250,000, monthly loan fees of 0.55% to 1.55%, and 6, 12, 18 or 24 month installment terms.
From the American Express Business Line of Credit page (checked October 2026):
- Line size: $2,000 to $1,000,000. The page says line sizes upon qualification are limited to $250,000, and eligible customers may later request an increase up to $1,000,000.
- Pricing: a monthly loan fee of 0.55% to 1.55%, disclosed before you accept each loan. The page says there are no origination, annual, application or prepayment fees.
- Structure: each draw becomes its own installment loan, with 6, 12, 18 or 24 month terms subject to eligibility. You can have more than one loan outstanding at once.
- Minimums: be at least 18, have started the business at least a year ago, have a FICO score of at least 660 at application (it may be higher depending on your relationship and history), and have recent average monthly revenue of at least $3,000.
- Issuer: loans are issued by American Express National Bank.
Side-by-side requirements
Amex has the lower revenue floor; ROI Funder has the lower credit and time-in-business floors and a much higher ceiling on first approval.
| Item | Amex Business Line of Credit | ROI Funder |
|---|---|---|
| Credit score | 660 FICO minimum, may be higher | 500+ FICO considered |
| Time in business | At least 1 year | 6+ months |
| Revenue | $3,000 average per month | $20,000+ per month |
| Amount at approval | Up to $250,000 at qualification | $5,000 to $5,000,000 |
| Product types | One line, drawn as installment loans | Line of credit, term loan, revenue-based financing, working capital, equipment, SBA |
| Credit check | Amex says it obtains consumer credit reports | Soft pull to apply, no score impact |
A business with $8,000 in monthly sales and a 700 score belongs at Amex, not with us. A business with $60,000 a month and a 590 score is the reverse.
How the monthly fee turns into dollars
Multiply the monthly fee rate by the amount drawn and by the number of months, then confirm in the loan agreement exactly what balance the fee is charged on.
A monthly fee looks small because it is quoted per month. Turn it into a total before you draw.
Illustrative example: you draw $40,000 on a 12-month term with a 1.0% monthly fee. If that fee is calculated on the amount drawn, it is $400 a month, or $4,800 over the year, on top of the $40,000 in principal. On a 24-month term at the same rate, the fee total doubles to $9,600 even though the monthly payment is lower. The longer term buys breathing room, not savings.
Amex says there is no prepayment penalty, and its help pages describe how repayment and fees work, so read the loan agreement to see how an early payoff changes your fee total. Whatever the structure, write down the total dollars, then compare that number with what the money will earn. Our total cost guide walks through the arithmetic. All figures here are illustrative.
Speed and how money reaches you
Amex says drawn funds take 1 to 3 business days to post to your bank, or arrive instantly if you also hold Amex Business Checking. ROI Funder targets the same business day on approved, complete files.
Once approved and after you draw and sign the loan agreement, Amex says funds are sent to your verified business bank account and may take 1 to 3 business days to process and post, depending on your bank. Its help center adds that customers who also hold an Amex Business Checking account in good standing can choose instant deposit. Amex also lets you send draws directly to an eligible payee, which some owners use to pay a supplier.
Repayment is invoiced monthly. The Amex page says the first invoice can come as early as 21 days or as late as 51 days after disbursement, depending on your cycle date.
With ROI Funder, approved files with the application and 3 months of business bank statements can see money the same business day. For lines placed through our network, setup typically takes 24 to 72 hours, and later draws move faster once the line is open. See how it works.
A quick decision rule
If you have a 660+ score, a year of history and need $250,000 or less, check Amex first. If any of those three is not true, Amex likely is not your route yet.
- Score 660 or higher? If no, the Amex line is off the table for now. A file in the 500s can still be reviewed with us.
- Business at least a year old? If no, Amex says you do not meet its minimum. We consider files from 6 months.
- Need more than $250,000 now? Amex limits lines at qualification to $250,000. Our range runs to $5,000,000, though larger amounts need stronger revenue.
- Monthly sales under $20,000? Amex's $3,000 floor is far friendlier. Our guideline is $20,000+ a month.
- Want something other than a revolving line? If the purchase is one-time, a term loan or equipment financing may cost less than repeated draws.
When Amex is the better fit, and when ROI Funder is
Amex suits smaller, established businesses with good credit that want a simple bank line. ROI Funder suits businesses with lower scores, shorter history, bigger needs or a reason to compare product types.
Amex may be better if: you already hold Amex business cards and may see a pre-approved offer, your credit is solid, your revenue is modest, and you value a published fee range with no origination or annual fee. Its 6 to 24 month installment structure is also easy to budget.
ROI Funder may be better if: your score is between 500 and 660, your business is 6 to 12 months old, you need more than $250,000, or you want to see a line of credit next to a term loan and revenue-based financing from one application. We match each file to the funders in our network that fit it, and we show true cost, payback period and a monthly-equivalent payment before you sign.
Applying with ROI Funder is online, takes a few minutes and uses a soft credit pull. You are not obligated to accept any offer.
Frequently asked questions
What credit score does the Amex Business Line of Credit require?
Its page lists a FICO score of at least 660 at the time of application and says the required score may be higher based on your relationship with American Express and your credit history.
Does the Amex line charge interest?
Amex prices each draw with a monthly loan fee, which its page lists at 0.55% to 1.55%, rather than quoting an interest rate. Convert the fee to total dollars before comparing offers.
Can a 7-month-old business apply with ROI Funder?
Yes. We consider businesses with 6+ months in business, $20,000+ in monthly revenue and 500+ FICO, and approval depends on the full file.
Is the Amex line bigger than $250,000?
Amex lists line sizes up to $1,000,000, but says lines at qualification are limited to $250,000 and increases are requested later, subject to approval.