Qonto Launches Credit Card & Overdraft for SME Cash Flow Management

European fintech Qonto is expanding its suite of financial tools for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the launch of a credit card and an overdraft facility, January 21st. The moves are designed to address a persistent challenge for businesses: managing cash flow gaps.

According to internal research conducted by Qonto, half of its customers experience short-term cash flow difficulties, and a substantial 84% anticipate needing short-term financing within the next 12 months. Nearly 45% of those customers have specifically requested credit card products, signaling a clear demand for more flexible credit solutions.

“Cash flow management is the primary challenge our customers raise with us, and businesses across Europe face constant pressure to cover routine expenses and ensure critical payments are made on time,” said Albertine Lecointe, Vice President of Product at Qonto. “Following on from Pay Later and Account Remuneration, the credit card and overdraft allow us to offer even more comprehensive support, whether it’s to pay for travel and inventory or to ensure payroll and supplier payments never fail, even when cash flow is tight.”

Credit Card Offers Flexibility

Qonto’s first business credit card is currently available to eligible customers in France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. A key feature of the card is the ability to switch between credit and debit modes for each transaction, providing businesses with control over how they pay. Purchases made throughout the month are consolidated and debited on the first day of the following month, offering up to 30 days of payment flexibility. Customers are granted a monthly credit limit of up to €15,000, with interest applied only if the full amount is not collected by the debit date.

Overdraft Facility to Provide a Safety Net

The overdraft facility, slated for release in the coming months across France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy, will allow business accounts to temporarily fall below zero, up to a pre-approved limit. This is intended to ensure essential payments – such as payroll, supplier invoices, and rent – are not declined when businesses experience temporary cash shortages. Interest will be charged only on the amount overdrawn and for the duration of the overdraft, with no activation fees.

This launch builds upon Qonto’s existing efforts to support SME cash flow. In 2024, the company introduced Pay Later, its first in-house financing solution for supplier invoices. In 2025, Qonto launched Account Remuneration, offering customers up to a 2% annual reward on their account balances. The credit card and overdraft represent a further evolution of these capabilities.

The introduction of these products also highlights Qonto’s growing operational capabilities in credit risk assessment and the comprehensive management of credit products. These skills will be crucial as the company progresses in its application for a full banking license, submitted to the French banking supervisor, the ACPR, in 2025.

The move by Qonto reflects a broader trend within the fintech sector of embedding financial services directly into business banking platforms. By offering credit and overdraft facilities alongside core banking services, Qonto aims to increase customer stickiness and provide a more holistic financial management solution for SMEs. This strategy positions Qonto not simply as a banking provider, but as a partner in navigating the financial complexities of running a small or medium-sized business.

The availability of these tools is particularly timely, given the ongoing economic uncertainties facing European businesses. Managing cash flow effectively is critical for survival, and Qonto’s new offerings provide SMEs with additional options to bridge short-term funding gaps and maintain operational stability.