U.S. Bank’s New Business Cards Offer Bonuses Up to $1K

Running a business in 2026 can be full of challenges, but U.S. Bank is offering two new credit cards designed for small business owners that may make the job a little easier.

The bank — which ranks in the top 10 in the U.S. in terms of consolidated assets — launched the U.S. Bank Business Essentials Visa Card and the U.S. Bank Business Essentials Plus Visa Signature Card this week.

Both cards offer 2% cash back on eligible everyday purchases. Business Essentials cardholders can earn 2.5% cash back on their first $10,000 in eligible net purchases each billing cycle with at least $10,000 in qualifying U.S. Bank business checking balances.

Customers who opt for the Business Essentials Plus card can earn 2.5% cash back with qualifying balances of $15,000 to less than $75,000, 3% with $75,000 to less than $150,000, or 3.5% with $150,000 or more.

Those boosted rates apply to $200,000 in eligible net purchases annually. Qualifying balances for both cards are calculated using a 30-day average.

How U.S. Bank’s New Business Cards Compare

Source: U.S. Bank. Qualifying checking balances use a 30-day average. Rewards restrictions apply.

Feature	Business Essentials	Business Essentials Plus
Annual fee	$0	$295
Base cash back	2%	2%
Maximum relationship rate	2.5%	3.5%
Balance needed for maximum rate	$10,000	$150,000
Spending cap for relationship rate	$10,000 per billing cycle	$200,000 annually
Top eligible category reward	Not applicable	5% on up to $200,000 spent annually
Welcome bonus	$500 after spending $5,000	$1,000 after spending $15,000
Welcome-bonus spending window	First 150 days	First 150 days

The Plus card also automatically earns 5% cash back in the cardholder’s highest eligible spending category each month, on up to $200,000 in purchases annually. Eligible categories include accounting and tax services, airlines, cellphone service providers, dining, entertainment, office supply stores, postal and shipping services, and utilities.

A U.S. Bank checking account is not required to obtain or use either card, but qualifying checking balances are necessary to earn the relationship bonus.

Courtney Kelso, senior executive vice president of Payments, Consumer and Small Business at U.S. Bank, said in a press release that the new cards reward small businesses that forge deeper connections with the bank.

“Small business owners employ over 61 million Americans and contribute to nearly half of our nation’s GDP; they deserve financial products that reward their ambition and empower them to succeed,” Kelso said.

Later in the release, she added: “Our goal is to build long-lasting relationships with small business owners through integrated solutions, not simply give them a card.”

Small business owners who open a Business Essentials or Business Essentials Plus card can access U.S. Bank’s Spend Management platform, which can help owners set controls and track spending on cards.

The bank also announced welcome offers on the two cards that could entice more small business owners to apply for them.

People who open a Business Essentials card and spend $5,000 in eligible net purchases in the initial 150 days after account opening can earn $500 cash back. Qualifying new cardholders can also enjoy 0% introductory APR on purchases for their first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable purchase APR applies.

Business Essentials Plus cardholders who spend $15,000 in eligible net purchases in the first 150 days after account opening can earn $1,000 back.

What It Takes to Earn the Welcome Bonus

U.S. Bank. Monthly benchmarks calculated from offer requirements.

Card	Required spending in 150 days	Approximate monthly pace	Welcome bonus
Business Essentials	$5,000	$1,000	$500
Business Essentials Plus	$15,000	$3,000	$1,000

Small business owners may choose to invest that extra cash in their businesses or, if they own the Business Essentials Plus card, use the money to help cover its annual fee. While the Business Essentials card doesn’t come with such a fee, Business Essentials Plus has an annual price tag of $295.

To help spread the word about its new card products, U.S. Bank is launching a national campaign that boasts star power. The financial institution has tapped Jessica Alba, an actress who has appeared in numerous films as well as TV shows, to help promote the new cards.

In addition to acting, Alba also has experience as an entrepreneur. In a post on U.S. Bank’s website, Alba said that an unrelenting support system, grit, and vision are necessary to build a business. She also emphasized the importance of easy, reliable financial tools to an entrepreneur’s success.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I love that U.S. Bank is investing in the people behind them,” Alba said.