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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 reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.

About Bankrate
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Stephen Kates, CFP Arrow Right Icon

Bankrate Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

Sarah Foster Arrow Right Icon

Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

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Senior Economic Analyst

Latest articles

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The rule provides a framework for settling unauthorized debit-card transactions.
Woman paying at the gas pump
Debit cards are inherently less secure than credit cards, especially at these spots.
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Credit and debit cards are both popular payment methods, but with different purposes.
man buying concessions at the movie theatre
Prepaid cards can be used to make purchases, but you only have access to preloaded money.
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Most rental car companies make you take extra steps to rent with a debit card.
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Mobile apps make managing your money a snap and mobile alerts can help protect it.
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Online bill pay can add convenience and security to managing your routine bills.
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A bank may deny you a checking account. Here is what you can do next.
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Depositing cash into someone’s account isn’t always possible, but there are options.
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.
person using mobile phone leaning on railing
A second-chance checking account is designed for those whose banking history may prevent them from opening a standard account. Applicants sometimes have past problems such as an unpaid negative balance [...]
Spend money, pay bills, write checks or make fund transfers with a checking account.
person on phone by computer looking at piece of paper
Here’s how these two bank fees compare and how to best avoid them.
Jerome Powell, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, left, and Lisa Cook, governor of the US Federal Reserve, during the Federal Reserve Board open meeting in Washington, DC.
In a historic move, Trump announced on Monday that he was firing Fed Gov. Lisa Cook.
woman, using laptop while working from home
The top high-yield savings accounts are currently earning APYs of 5 percent and greater.
A collection of assorted items: old analog alarm clock, padlock, keys, a check, a hand holding cash
CDs often pay better interest than savings accounts and can amp up your nest egg.
Credit: Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate
That string of numbers at the bottom of your check is really important. Find out why.
local bank with ATM
Is a community bank right for you? Here’s what you need to know.
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Follow these simple steps to earn competitive rates on your shorter-term savings.
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Deposit accounts like high-yield savings accounts or high-yield checking accounts can be powerful tools for growing your money — but the headline rate you see advertised isn’t always the rate you’ll [...]
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$10,000 high-yield savings vs. $10,000 money market account: Here’s which earns more
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