Fewer businesses carry a credit card balance and are avoiding delinquencies despite business credit card rates rising 30 percent in 2010, as legislation that protects individual consumers from predatory interest lending does not apply to business lines of credit.

A study by credit search company BillShrink revealed that only 27 percent of small to medium-sized businesses carry an average balance of approximately $12,000 despite the onerous credit terms.

The Credit CARD Act limited the interest rates and fees that credit card companies can charge individual consumers - but did not affect business credit cards. Companies are now raising business interest rates absent any legislation.

"However, our study shows that despite the lack of legislative protection and a poor economy, American small businesses are pulling through to keep their debt in check while maintaining good to excellent credit health," said BillShrink's CEO, Schwark Satyavolu.

Many websites offer easy comparisons between different credit card rates, allowing business owners to choose the card and interest rate.

Because the CARD Act does not apply to business cards, companies can raise the interest rate on an existing balance or drastically increase the interest after only one late payment.

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