According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for providing a higher credit limit to a credit customer is provided. The method includes opening a credit account for a customer. The method also includes determining a first credit limit for the credit account using a credit rating of the customer. The method also includes determining a second credit limit for the credit account using credit information concerning a guarantor. The second credit limit is higher than the first credit limit and coexists with the first credit limit. The method also includes forming an agreement with the guarantor that the guarantor is responsible for paying a portion of an unpaid balance of the credit account that exceeds the first credit limit.