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.

Best Debit And Prepaid Cards

Best Checking Accounts

How To Get A Debit Card

Debit Vs. Credit Cards

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.

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.

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, CFA

Chief Financial Analyst

Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Senior Economic Analyst

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Latest articles

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Putting your tax refund on a prepaid card seems easy and quick, but is it a waste of your money?

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A former cop tells you how to stay one step ahead of thieves.

Young Woman Checking Her Finances At Home

Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.

A young woman works from her laptop.

Balancing your checking account may sound dated, but it still makes sense.

Women using tablet

Online checking accounts stand out for different features. Here’s our top picks.

close up of hands signing a check

Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.

Young woman withdrawing money using phone at the ATM machine on the street in Budapest in Hungary.

Here are simple steps to take to avoid paying checking account fees.

Capital One Bank signage in New York City

Banks are cutting overdraft fees in response to consumers and regulators’ demands.

Two female fashion designers working together at their studio

Opening a business checking account isn’t as simple as opening a personal checking account. Here’s what to know.

Young couple paying bills online

Online bill pay can add convenience and security to managing your routine bills.

Calendar of 2023

Use this challenge to stash more cash toward your savings goals.

Clocks are displayed across an image of a dollar bill.

Take a look at the days when CDs were offering investors double-digit returns.

Woman watering plants.

Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.

Financial manager meeting with couple in bank branch office

Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.

Whimsical illustration of a hand putting a quarter into a miniature but realistic high end safe. As if it were a piggy bank

Comparing savings rates can ensure you get the best return on your savings.

Federal Reserve Board Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference.

Fed officials, however, are uncertain about how many times they’ll be able to cut borrowing costs in 2025.

Fed Chair Powell Holds News Conference Following FOMC Rate Decision

This Fed communication tool is important, but be cautious when interpreting it.

Young Asian woman using smartphone while relaxing on armchair, checking her bank account via online banking and managing her finances. Online personal banking. Wealth management. Digital banking habits. Smart banking with technology

Know the two major benefits of opening a CD now, even as interest rates decline.

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