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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

Man renting a car at Hertz
Most rental car companies make you take extra steps to rent with a debit card.
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 banking
Follow these tips for the lowest fees and highest rates when opening an account.
Pedestrians walking by TD Bank
Learn about the benefits of having multiple bank accounts and what to look for.
image of people lined up outside of silicon valley bank
Watch for these money headaches if your bank fails and no other bank takes over.
man buying concessions at the movie theatre
Prepaid cards can be used to make purchases, but you only have access to preloaded money.
person holding phone and debit card and appears stressed
Vivian Thornton received quite a shock when she logged onto her bank account and noticed an unfamiliar debit charge for concert tickets totaling more than $2,000. In fact, the hefty charge had brought [...]
A person takes a picture of a check.
Depositing a check using a smartphone is easy and can save you a trip to the bank.
person standing next to bike and looking at phone
If you overdraw your account frequently, then overdraft protection could be a good way to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
woman doing headstand
Your bank accounts have two separate balances: the current balance and the available balance. Here’s the distinction.
Spend money, pay bills, write checks or make fund transfers with a checking account.
Electronic checks (eChecks) offer a digital alternative to traditional paper checks, allowing you to make payments directly from your checking account online. Learn how eChecks work, when to use them, [...]
man signing a check
That string of numbers at the bottom of your check is really important. Find out why.
Young smiling woman using mobile phone while working on a laptop at a cafe
Mobile apps make managing your money a snap and mobile alerts can help protect it.
A young man uses an ATM.
Over time, ATM fees have climbed. Here’s what you need to know.
Family looking at their finances.
Early access to direct deposited funds can make managing your budget a bit easier.
man signing a check
That string of numbers at the bottom of your check is really important. Find out why.
After facing a rent increase, I’m moving to Washington, D.C. to save $24,000 over two years.
woman working on her laptop at the kitchen table
CDs come in many varieties, making it easy to find one that meets your needs.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation building
Here’s a look at every time the FDIC has increased its deposits insurance limits.
The APY percentage shows how much an account earns per year. Here’s what you need to know.
Woman reaching in to the air for cash
Prices rise and fall all the time in the U.S. economy. It’s not always inflation.
piggy bank on a steering wheel
Take these simple steps to jumpstart your savings plan for a new car.
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On average, Americans have kept the same bank accounts for over a decade.
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