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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 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

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.
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.
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.
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.
Business owner talking on phone.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering a switch to business checking.
Woman standing in front of an ATM
Withdrawing cash at an out-of-network ATM? Be prepared to pay more than ever.
Woman paying at the gas pump
Debit cards are inherently less secure than credit cards, especially at these spots.
Credit: Images by GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate
That string of numbers at the bottom of your check is really important. Find out why.
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.
Young woman using the ATM
Knowing your ATM withdrawal limits can make a sudden need for cash easier to handle.
Photo of person taking photo of check with design element included
There’s a right way to handle old checks. The wrong way can cost you.
Overdraft protection can be a helpful and convenient tool to avoid paying a steeper overdraft fee.
Man with shopping bags
The U.S. economy expanded at a slower pace in the fourth quarter of 2018, but came in well ahead of estimates.
Jerome Powell at Fed meeting
Powell faced criticism from Democratic congressmen for his positive evaluation of the job market despite a period of slow pay gains.
Jerome Powell speaks at Federal Reserve
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivered a positive assessment of the U.S. economy that nonetheless faces some risks.
Wall Street in New York City
Experts are betting that a recession will occur by the end of 2021, a new survey suggests.
Federal Reserve building
Will the Federal Reserve raise borrowing costs two times in 2019, as it initially anticipated? That’s a question even the officials on the inside can’t answer.
Man relaxed smiling
It could save you time when switching accounts and even inspire you to build a bank of your own.
Man and woman walking past Wells Fargo in Manhattan
Are bank mistakes giving you a headache? Here’s what to do.
Chairman of the Federal Reserve nominee Jerome Powell is sworn in during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
Learn all about Jerome Powell, who is presiding over his first FOMC policy meeting.
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