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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.
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.

Checking

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

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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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Over time, ATM fees have climbed. Here’s what you need to know.
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Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.
Young woman using the ATM
Knowing your ATM withdrawal limits can make a sudden need for cash easier to handle.
Illustration of an old-fashioned alarm bell ringing , hovering over a cell phone.
Mobile apps make managing your money a snap and mobile alerts can help protect it.
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A bank may deny you a checking account. Here is what you can do next.
women on her phone walking on a sidewalk
Here’s when it makes sense to open a bank account abroad and tips for choosing the bank.
A headshot of Hanna Hovarth, a woman with blonde shoulder length hair wearing a black shirt. Next to her is a money bag with a dollar sign on it.
A certified financial planner shares a practical five-step strategy to protect your finances from inflation’s ongoing impact.
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Here’s how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau works to keep consumers safe.
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Planning for retirement? Here’s what you need to know about IRA CDs.
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Uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s policies is keeping the Fed on the sidelines, at least for now.
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Bankrate’s experts are reacting live to the Fed’s latest interest rate decision.
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Verizon and Openbank announced a partnership on Tuesday that gives Verizon customers a way to save money on their bill if they have an Openbank High Yield Savings account. Verizon customers can save money [...]
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