New Credit Card Gives American Interior Designers the Financial Tools to Run a Better Business

By Kekeletso Nkele, small.news Assistant

(small.news) — Mercantile, a division of Onboard Partners focused on expanding credit access for small and professional service businesses, has partnered with the American Society of Interior Designers to deliver credit solutions tailored to design professionals nationwide, reports PR Newswire.

Celtic Bank issues the new ASID American Express Business Card and uses the American Express Network. ASID members and partners get access to Amex Network benefits, offerings, and protections. The program is for independent designers and small design firms. Their financial needs come from project-based work, irregular payment cycles, and large upfront vendor costs. Standard business credit products have poorly addressed these needs.

How the Card Works

The card offers approval paths with weekly autopay, helping qualified businesses with lower credit profiles access credit. Its Credit LimitShield feature lets cardholders set a percentage threshold that triggers automatic payment. This ensures available credit is maintained without interruption.

The card aims to help cardholders build stronger business credit over time and reduce their reliance on personal credit. It offers competitive rewards on business spending, access to Amex Offers, and insurance protections across travel, lifestyle, and retail.

Why Interior Design Needs Its Own Financial Product

Khoi Vo, President and CEO of ASID, said the partnership shows the organization’s commitment to both the craft and business side of design. He described interior designers as running sophisticated businesses with complex timelines, vendor relationships, and inconsistent cash flow. He argued designers need financial tools built for how design really works, not generic small business products.

Scott Shaw, CEO and President of Onboard Partners, called the card a direct response to the profession’s needs. He said the card helps designers manage vendors, materials, project timelines, and client billing. Shaw said the partnership with ASID and American Express shows Mercantile’s broader commitment to providing tailored credit programs with trusted associations.

American Express Backs the Platform Behind the Card

The program is based on the American Express Agile Partner Platform. This platform lets fintechs and program managers quickly, securely, and easily create and launch payment products with American Express.

Will Stredwick, SVP and GM of Global Network Services for North America at American Express, said design professionals have unique financial demands. He described interior designers as balancing creativity and commerce with changing financial needs. Stredwick said the card offers credit flexibility and full American Express Network support for the next generation of design business leaders.

The First of Many Vertical Programs

The ASID program is the first in Mercantile’s American Express card initiative. The goal is to support entrepreneurs and small business leaders in many professional areas with tailored solutions. Mercantile has built partnerships in several sectors over the past five years. It sees the ASID collaboration as an example of genuine partnerships for creating purpose-built financial products.