New Zealand SMBs using personal credit to fund business expenses as cashflow bites
06/03/2026
New Zealand small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are navigating a prolonged period of economic pressure, as rising operating costs, fluctuating demand and ongoing uncertainty continue to weigh on business performance.
Against this backdrop, new insights commissioned by Visa, and conducted by Talbot Mills Research, has found that nearly one third (29%) of SMBs have used personal credit cards for business expenses, highlighting how businesses are stepping in with personal funds when access to dedicated business credit is limited or slower to obtain.
“In today’s environment, managing cash flow effectively is fundamental to business resilience. When access to appropriate credit is constrained or harder to navigate, business owners look for alternative ways to bridge the gap, often turning to personal finance to stay on track,” said David Peacock, Visa Country Manager, New Zealand and Pacific Islands.
Cashflow pressures and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on SMB owners
Financial pressures and cash flow are the most prominent unprompted concerns for SMBs (21%), followed by economic uncertainty (15%) and weak demand (14%).
When prompted, the scale of these challenges becomes even clearer. More than four in five SMBs (81%) cite economic uncertainty as a major issue, while 78% point to rising operating costs. Customer retention (63%), technology challenges (42%) and workforce pressures (41%) are also key concerns.
Credit remains critical to resilience
Access to credit continues to play a central role in helping SMBs manage these pressures. Nearly three quarters (74%) say credit is important for managing cash flow, while 65% rely on it as a buffer against economic shocks and 62% use it to manage delayed payments.
However, business owners were often managing this through a fragmented mix of financial tools. Business debit cards (34%) and customer card payments (33%) are most commonly used, while a similar number (29%) use personal credit cards, supplier trade credit and business credit cards. This approach can reduce visibility and increase administrative burden, making it harder for businesses to maintain control.
Convenience (22%), cash flow support (16%) and not yet having established a business facility (12%) are cited as key reasons for using personal credit cards for business expenses.
“While using other credit sources can provide short-term flexibility, it adds complexity and increases business risk. Tools that improve visibility, strengthen control over spend and help separate personal and business finances are critical to enabling business leaders to make faster, more confident financial decisions.” David added.
As SMBs continue to navigate a complex and evolving environment, there is growing recognition of the need for simpler, more transparent ways to manage cash flow and maintain control over business finances.
About the research
The research commissioned by Visa and was conducted by Talbot Mills Research via an online survey. A total of 511 New Zealand SMBs (businesses with 50 or fewer employees) were surveyed. The survey was conducted online between 4th and 12th July 2025. At a 95% confidence level, the maximum sampling error for a sample of this size is ±4.3%. Results are reported to zero decimal places; as a result, totals may not always sum exactly due to rounding, with differences typically no greater than 1%.
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.