MBNA, originally the signature of a Maryland bank, was taken over by banking giant Bank of America, and as a result, the credit card type commonly known as the MBNA credit card is now in BofA territory. MBNA cards carry their own specific features, rates, and rewards, and Bank of America administrates to their client base that reaches across international borders.

Though one can only assume BofA is not willing to trade inside knowledge of their card practices on the open markets, there are still a lot of ways for interested businesses to train staff about MBNA card offers and options over the net. Business leaders looking for MBNA credit card resources can find:

1. MBNA business credit card information "from the street" in the form of news and updates from independent web sources.

2. More on MBNA credit card services from BofA on product pages that deal with the properties of an MBNA credit card, how to use it and what happens long-term for card holders.

3. Public forums where involved parties trade knowledge on dealing with MBNA America credit card types.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find public news on MBNA credit cards

One way to get good training for staffers who need to know how to handle MBNA credit card offers and more is to get to public web spaces where grassroots organizations keep tabs on what's happening with this credit card type.

I recommend: Consumer Action provides details on MBNA card changes from a consumer perspective. For more "street-side" news including customer reviews of the MBNA card, try the Review Center online.

Get resources on MBNA credit cards straight from BofA

For a lot of smaller tips and tricks regarding MBNA cards, it makes sense to go straight to the BofA website. For information on online use, international services, rate spectrums and more, the Bank of America site is a resource for getting to know more about this type of financial product that many may be carrying.

I recommend: Take a look at the Bank of America newsroom to see about some MBNA events straight from the banking supplier in charge of the program. To learn more about Net access and banking options for MBNA cards, try BofA's online services pages.

Use financial forums online to learn about MBNA credit card

Financial forums are another hot spot for learning the ins and outs of an MBNA credit card account including what customers generally do with their cards and how MBNA business credit cards are sold on the market.

I recommend: The forums at MoneySaver include specific posts on MBNA cards. Find more including international aspects of MBNA credit card company policy at Ask About Money, another online forum provider.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For any kind of MBNA credit cards education and training, see that the information you find will help your staff do whatever it is they need to do. If your staff is helping out MBNA customers with transactions, you may be able to get all of what you need online. For more involved work, you may need to pick up the phone.

MBNA credit cards give business owners access to many superior rewards while maintaining low and competitive percentage rates. Recently, MBNA merged with Bank of America, which allows you to search through even more outstanding MBNA credit card offers.

With a MBNA business credit card, you’ll get a low introductory rate and fixed rate following the intro APR period. Business rewards from a MBNA credit card include airline miles, cash back on purchases, and additional travel savings and discounts. Consider the US Airways Visa Business Card or the QuickBooks Platinum Plus for Business MasterCard.

1. Compare rates and rewards of the different MBNA credit cards. Look at the introductory APR, intro APR period, rewards program, regular APR and finance charges before selecting a MBNA business credit card.

2. Pick the type of MBNA America credit card you wish to apply for. After choosing a selected card, fill out a MBNA credit card online application.

3. Take advantage of the MBNA credit card services. When you get approved from a MBNA credit card company, you can manage your account online.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate MBNA credit card offers

Look for MBNA credit card providers online. Over the Internet, you'll find some of the best deals on MBNA credit cards. Cards from MBNA to consider include Cash Rewards Platinum Rewards MasterCard and the WorldPoints Platinum Plus MasterCard with low APR rates and cash back incentives. Ideally, look for a site you can make side by side comparisons of each different offer.

I recommend: With Credit Step, you can look at numerous credit cards at once. Click the link of each specific MBNA credit card to read additional details and apply online. To get more information on the best MBNA business credit card offers, read the reviews on Money Extra.

Apply for a business or MBNA personal credit card online

Once you narrow down your choice of MBNA credit cards, you can submit your information online to apply for the line of credit. With an online submission, you'll cut down on your wait time and receive faster approval notification.

I recommend: Apply for MBNA business credit card through the Bank of America website. You can also apply through Credit Card Flyers after reading the reviews of each card type.

Track account activity on your MBNA business credit

After receiving your card, you'll want to utilize the MBNA credit card services. Keep track of purchases, make payments online and find out the status of your reward certificates.

I recommend: If you want Internet access to your MBNA credit card account, you’ll have to sign in through the Bank of America website. If you’re unsure about how to use the Bank of America card services, you can get an overview through the MBNA Net Access website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The MBNA credit card company will issue most of their cards with the Bank of America branding. Since 2006 when the merger between MBNA and Bank of America took place, new Visa, MasterCard, and American Express accounts have received a Bank of America branding.

MBNA credit cards provide a valuable service to businesses in a variety of manners. From providing capital to get a business off the ground to covering short term expenses that arise. These cards are also used for giving the business rewards from consistent use. MBNA credit cards are an important financial factor to many small businesses.

Take the time to understand some of the terms associated with these MBNA credit cards so that you can understand the benefits to your business as well as the contract you are entering with the MBNA credit card company. Here are some of those key terms along with quality resources to help get you started.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Chip and pin

Chip and pin refers to a security program which integrates the customer using a personal pin number as well as the card containing a micro chip or an extra sense of security.

I recommend: Visit the official website for MBNA for additional information regarding the chip and pin security program.

Balance transfer

A balance transfer is the act of taking debt on another credit card and transferring it to a second one. Most businesses will transfer a balance to pay a lower interest rate on their debt. Balance transfers often carry an associated fee of three percent to move the money.

I recommend: Visit the website for Maps of the World for additional information on how MBNA conducts their balance transfers.

MBNA Rewards

MBNA Rewards refers to the rewards a business employee or company can obtain for using the MBNA credit card. MBNA partners with other entities such as airlines, hotels and other popular consumer product companies to offer rewards the customer wants. For instance, many MBNA airline cards offer 'one mile' in a frequent flier program for each dollar charged.

I recommend: Visit the website for Million Dollar Journey for an example of how a reward program works. Million Dollar Journey is a credit card review website that reviews MBNA cards as well as others.

Signup bonus

A sign up bonus, offered on certain MBNA credit cards, refers to a fee that the credit card company pays you for opening the card. This fee or credit is usually placed on the first statement after you make your first purchases. These cards typically have annual fees to offset the money credited to your account.

I recommend: Visit the website for Credit Card Watcher for additional information on how a sign-up bonus typically works for an MBNA credit card.

Cash back

Cash back refers to a credit given by MBNA to the credit card user for a percentage of their purchases. Usually this percentage ranges from one to three percent. Some purchases may be excluded. Also MBNA credit cards with cash back features tend to have a slightly higher interest rate.

I recommend: Visit the website for Credit Cards.com for further information on how a cash back program works with MBNA.

MBNA fraud protection

MBNA fraud protection refers to a service extended to the credit card user which protects them from all false purchases made by a stolen credit card in the credit card users name.

I recommend: Credit Card Guide.com has further information on how the MBNA fraud protection system operates.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  MBNA has recently been acquired by Bank of America in the United States. Therefore MBNA credit card holders in the United States will be re-directed to the terms and conditions that Bank of America imposes. MBNA has kept it's operations abroad, which is why some of the key terms and resource links are tied to Canadian and British websites.