Kiva credit card

[Guest]

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[Spartan]

Aloha!

I was thinking about the fund raising efforts that many people are doing and I thought how nice it would be to be able to get a Kiva credit card. After all they have them for TV shows and bands so why not something worthwhile.

Instead of getting millage, cash back or reward points the bonuses could be a direct percentage added to your Kiva account and or simply a commission paid directly to Kiva from the bank for total volume of transactions each month.

With Paypal as a primary partner I would think this idea would be a no brainer. What do people think? 

[Ramón]

I'd get one and use it instead of my current card...

--Ramón

[Spartan]

I hope the Gods of the truly benevolent USAA organization dont strike me down, but I would do the same. 

Speaking of which I contacted USAA again and spoke to a manager class person about Kiva yesterday regarding this very thing. He said he would investigate Kiva for himself. Lets hope things pan out. Maybe USAA could work something out with Kiva.

On a side note: if Kiva does something like this I hope they do not get involved with MBNA in any way shape or forum. It has to be the most predatory financial institution I know about in the country and would tarnish Kiva in my opinion. 

[stubear1012]

I agree with the idea of a Kiva affinity credit card.  Almost every group that I belong to seems to have one. 

[tarzan113]

Great idea!

What about getting in touch with American Express and allowing an individual to purchase Kiva gift certificates?  I'm currently just using my Amex points to purchase Barnes and Noble gift cards but would certainly want the option of purchasing Kiva gift certificates!

Update: I called AMEX and filed the suggestion; hopefully they'll get to it someday.

[vickyelse]

What about partnering with Working Assets on this?  I believe they have a credit card and perhaps they'd be willing to do a Kiva "flavor".  They have a reasonably large marketing organization and co-marketing with them could help reach out to new prospects (not just the Kiva faithful).

[creativemms]

I just read about this in another post - http://www.kivafriends.org/index.php?topic=1954.new;topicseen#new. It looks like Advanta has done what you guys are talking about. As a small business owner, I would much rather have my spending benefit someone else, rather than give me miles or additional change at the end of the year. Good job!

[charity]

It looks like that Advanta card is only for business owners, although it looks like a very cool program!  I can't believe they are matching dollars lent up to $200 per month per card! (my only questions is whether they recirculate the funds or withdraw - if they withdraw it would be incentive for users to also withdraw their money each time, and make new loans on the card - just more expense for Kiva/Paypal)   I REALLY wish something like that was available for individual users as well!

[Ulli]

I contacted First National Bank about a week ago and pitched the idea to them. They said they'll think about it.

Ulli

[creativemms]

I found the link to sign up. After some research it seems like you can sign up as long as you are a business professional.
http://www.kivab4b.org/ADV/Kiva/KivaCard.page? I am going to give it a try and I will keep you posted. It would be such a waste to give any more if I can get it matched. 

[charity]

After some research it seems like you can sign up as long as you are a business professional.

Is this "business professional" as in "I work for a company or agency and sometimes have business expenses like traveling?"     If so, does it make a difference if those expenses are later reimbursed by your employer?

[ErickB]

Hi all
An unofficial answer to some of the points raised.
Business professional can refer to a massage therapist, a consultant, a guy with a catering business that he runs a few weekends a year, etc. It doesn't refer to an employee of a company. Also, a business credit card can be used for any purchase. Like any MasterCard, Visa, Amex, you can charge dinner, skydiving lessons, whatever...nobody will come knocking on the door. It's 'intended' to be used for business purposes so that you can keep personal and business expenses separate. A business credit card issuing bank has to legally market a business credit card to 'business owners,' but individuals without legally incorporated businesses can certainly apply and be approved for business credit cards. As I said, this is all 'unofficial' information, but accurate nonetheless. 
And the card does, in fact, match every grant up to $200/month.

[Susan1]

Hello all,

I wanted to report to you that some weeks back I applied for and received my Kiva business card, and
yesterday funded a loan using the card.  It will be a few weeks before the statement comes in, but
I expect that it will reflect a matching donation to Kiva of $25, the amount of the loan.

Either way, I will report back. 

Best regards,

Susan

[Darren B4B]

Thanks for checking out the KivaB4B Card.  I work at Advanta on the Innovation Team which is responsible for the KivaB4B Initiative.  We're very excited about bringing more business professionals into the fold to support entrepreneurs through Kiva.  I know that this community is filled with Kiva fans so I welcome any input you have about the KivaB4B program.  Feel free to email me at dsudman@advanta.com.

[saabnet]

As most know, I went for the Advanta Kiva credit card and am using it to get my up to 8 matched loans per month  ! However, I recently bought a Kiva gift certificate and I was wondering to myself, as I used my Advanta Kiva card to pay for it, does this count too? Well, I got a speedy answer back from Erick that, yes, it sure does. You don't get a matching gift certificate, obviously, but Advanta counts this as a loan/grant purchase and matches it with a loan.

Just through I'd include this data here for future reference.

-Scott