What the Card Offers
RBC markets the Business Cash Back Mastercard as a no-fee business card for owners who prefer cash to points: 1% cash back on purchases (2% in the first three months) to reinvest in the business, credited on request from $25 or every January, and help building credit in the business's name.
- 1%
Cash back on everything1
1% cash back on all net purchases, including pre-authorized bill payments, up to $650 cash back a year.
- 2%
Double cash back for 3 months1
An extra 1% for the first 3 full statement periods, within the same $650 yearly maximum.
- $0
No annual fee2
No annual fee for the card or the one additional card allowed.
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- From $25
Cash back when you want it3
Once the balance reaches $25, request it as a credit at any time; otherwise it's credited every January.
Benefits as advertised by the issuer. The conditions attached to them are in the Fine Print Report below.
Sources (3)
- RBC Business Cash Back Mastercard product page, legal disclaimer † (retrieved 2026-11-01)
- RBC Business Cash Back Mastercard product page (retrieved 2026-11-01); RBC Royal Bank Business Credit Card Agreement 16187 (04/2025), s. 10.3
- RBC Cash Back Program Terms and Conditions 116416 (10/2026), s. 10(b)(iii)
Points & Redemption
Rates: RBC Cash Back Program Terms and Conditions 16416 (10/2026), section 10. Cash back is credited to your account balance at face value.
Where It Earns
Among the 55 stores and brands in CardTruth's merchant lookup:
None of them earns more than this card's base rate.
Where it doesn't earn more (8)Hide
Online only: Amazon.ca, Crave, Disney+, Netflix, SkipTheDishes, Spotify, Uber (rides), Uber Eats take Mastercard online but not in store.
The Fine Print Report
Moderate fine print. The $650 yearly cap ends all earning for busier businesses, and owners are personally liable.
Earns nothing after $650 cash back a yearImpact level: High
Cash back stops entirely at $650 a year, after $65,000 of purchases
Cash back is earned at 1% on a maximum of $65,000 in net purchases per annual period, for a maximum of $650. Purchases after that earn nothing until the next January. The welcome bonus's extra 1% counts within the same $650.
Why it matters: A business spending more than about $5,400 a month earns no cash back on the rest of the year's spending.
Under $25 lost on closingImpact level: Medium
Cash back under $25 is lost if the account closes, and a partner's death closes the account
When the account closes for any reason, the cash back is credited only if the account is in good standing and the balance is $25 or more. For a partnership or corporation, the death of any one business owner ends participation and closes the account.
Why it matters: Redeem before closing the card, and keep the account in good standing.
Owners personally liable for the balanceImpact level: Medium
The business and every owner are personally liable for the whole balance
This card is issued under RBC's joint and several liability agreement: the business and each owner are liable for all debt on the account, however it was incurred, and RBC can apply money any owner has on deposit with it against the debt without notice.
Why it matters: If the business can't pay, RBC can collect from you and take money from your personal RBC accounts.
2.5% FX mark-upImpact level: Medium
2.5% foreign currency mark-up
Foreign currency transactions are charged at 2.5% over the benchmark exchange rate.
Why it matters: With 1% cash back, foreign spending costs about 1.5% net.
Max 1 additional cardImpact level: Low
Only one additional card is allowed
The account allows a maximum of one additional card.
Why it matters: A business with several employees who need cards will need a different product.
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Miss a full payment: interest from day 1Impact level: Low
Miss paying in full once and all purchases bear interest from the day you make them
If you don't pay the new balance in full by the due date, interest is charged on that statement's purchases and on all new purchases from their transaction dates until you pay in full by a due date again. Bill payments that aren't pre-authorized with the merchant are cash advances, with a fee and no grace period.
Why it matters: Carrying a balance once costs interest on new purchases too.
Who This Card Is For
Great fit if you...
- Want simple cash back with no fee
- Spend under $65,000 a year on the card
- Need at most one extra card
Consider alternatives if you...
- Spend over $65,000 a year on the card
- Need several employee cards
- Need travel insurance
- Don't want personal liability
The Verdict
The RBC Business Cash Back Mastercard is a no-fee business card paying 1% cash back on everything, 2% for the first three months, with purchase security and extended warranty insurance.
The fine print caps it hard: cash back stops completely at $650 a year, only one extra card is allowed, balances under $25 are lost on closing, and the business and every owner are personally liable.
The Recommendation: Best for very small businesses spending under $65,000 a year that want no-fee cash back on one or two cards. A business spending more should choose a cash back card without an annual cap.
Before you apply: This teardown is general information, not financial, legal or insurance advice, and reflects the issuer's documents as of November 2026. Terms, rates, fees and offers change, and the issuer's own agreement, disclosure statement, insurance certificates and program terms are what govern your card. Read them in full and confirm details with the issuer before you apply. Full disclaimer