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Debit Cards

Debit and prepaid debit cards provide convenient and secure payment options for consumers, allowing easy access to funds without the risk of accruing debt.

Explore debit card basics

Smiling businessman making payment with credit card
Debit cards can offer additional perks to help you save more of your money.
Man paying with credit card while shopping with woman at supermarket
Debit cards and prepaid cards can be used similarly, but debit cards tend to have fewer fees.
woman sitting on her couch and looking at her phone and credit card
Knowing your limit before making a purchase can help you make smarter decisions.

Use your debit card wisely

DEBIT

Where to avoid using your debit card

Just because you can use your debit card almost anywhere doesn’t mean you always should. Bankrate's experts keep you informed on the risky places to avoid swiping your debit card.

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Checking

Daily ATM withdrawal limits

It's important to know how much you can withdraw from your bank's ATMs in a given day to help you better handle financial emergencies that require cash.

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Available account balance vs. current balance

Understand the differences between the two balances you may see when looking at your bank account.

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BANKING

Checking account and ATM fee study

Maintaining a checking account with a debit card can come at a high cost. Learn how rising ATM fees and other banking fees are impacting consumers.

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Experts in all things banking

Our expert writers and editors bring you timely news and reliable information - backed by data and first-hand experience.

About Bankrate's team
Greg McBride

Greg McBride, CFA Arrow Right Icon

Chief Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

Sarah Foster Arrow Right Icon

Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

Mark Hamrick Arrow Right Icon

Senior Economic Analyst

Latest articles

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Most rental car companies make you take extra steps to rent with a debit card.
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Debit cards and prepaid cards can be used similarly, but debit cards tend to have fewer fees.
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Learn about the benefits of having multiple bank accounts and what to look for.
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Watch for these money headaches if your bank fails and no other bank takes over.
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Prepaid cards can be used to make purchases, but you only have access to preloaded money.
Capital One Bank signage in New York City
Banks are cutting overdraft fees in response to consumers and regulators’ demands.
Spend money, pay bills, write checks or make fund transfers with a checking account.
close up of hands writing a check
Consumers without a bank account face hurdles when trying to cash a check.
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Learn the key characteristics of certified checks and how they differ from other types of payments.
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Knowing your limit before making a purchase can help you make smarter decisions.
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Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
This old-school way of paying is still in demand. Here’s everything you need to know.
close up of hands signing a check
Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.
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Nearly 3 in 10 adults would be at a loss if they suddenly needed to cover a costly expense.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at a press conference
Here’s what the Fed said on interest rates and the economy.
Discover card
That includes their checking, savings, money market and CD accounts. Here are the details.
Federal Reserve seal
Is it still too soon for the Fed to cut rates?
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Here’s why Fed officials are so concerned about the trade war right now.
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But the revision was less than economists thought it would be.
Digit app
For 99 cents per withdrawal, users can move money from their account into another within minutes.
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With the best job market in decades, the Fed is wondering why there isn’t more inflation.
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