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.

Image for Checking account and ATM fee study

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

Learn more

Latest articles

Placeholder image

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

Placeholder image

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

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.

Cash in gloved hand

Depositing cash into someone’s account isn’t always possible, but there are options.

A young woman works from her laptop.

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

Woman working with business document and laptop on the table

It’s a low interest rate environment, but there are ways to earn more on your money.

female soldier and her husband use a banking app to check the state of their finances

Bank account budgeting tools make it easy to track your personal finances.

Side view of father cooking food while daughter having apple in kitchen

These simple moves can help build a cash cushion.

A middle-aged asian woman in blue jeans sitting on the bed in a yoga pose in front of a laptop. Remote work at home. Online shopping in quarantine period

Banks are offering rates up to three times higher than average as the Fed cuts back.

Senior couple having problem with fraud while online shopping with credit cart using laptop computer

New J.D. Power survey reveals sizable number of bank customers experienced fraud.

Woman watering plants.

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

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.

The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information