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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.

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

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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Depositing a check using a smartphone is easy and can save you a trip to the bank.
Man in coffee shop using laptop with a card in his hand.
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.
Young woman holding a stack of cards and thinking
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.
Man talking on cellphone
Ever heard of a neobank? If not, here’s what you need to know.
A young woman is in the living room, she is using a laptop and credit card
Stop wasting time writing checks. Learn the faster, safer way to pay.
Man renting a car at Hertz
Most rental car companies make you take extra steps to rent with a debit card.
Woman standing in front of an ATM
Withdrawing cash at an out-of-network ATM? Be prepared to pay more than ever.
A woman uses mobile banking while eating.
From no fees to online bill pay, here are the must-have checking account features.
Person using phone to do mobile check deposit
Here are some key factors to consider when searching for the best checking account.
A check with VOID stamped across it
Here’s what you need to know about voiding a check, and the alternative options.
A customer withdraws cash from an ATM.
Here’s why early direct deposit may work better for those looking to get paid in advance.
Person on a cellphone holding a credit card
There are various ways to earn rewards and maximize financial gains with a rewards checking account.
A middle aged adult woman happily balancing her checkbook
Here’s what separates a share draft account from a checking account.
senior woman looking at paperwork in front of a computer
Age and region are also factors in how much consumers pay in checking fees.
Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office
Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
A woman works on her laptop.
Here’s everything you need to know about savings accounts.
Illustration of Fed Chair Jerome Powell with a now hiring sign in the background.
The U.S. may dodge a recession, but experts aren’t denying it: Something feels off.
Person folds his hands in front of their face
A bank may deny you a checking account. Here is what you can do next.
Young Man Sitting On Wheelchair Using Laptop
Opening a money market account involves just a few simple steps and it can really pay off.
In 2024, three Federal Reserve rate cuts spurred declining yields on many deposit accounts, although savers were able to benefit from locking in strong yields on certificates of deposit (CDs). While the [...]
A music CD underneath a piggy bank
You can find a CD account that significantly out-earns the national average if you shop around among banks.
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