In this digital age of advancing technologies, it’s no surprise that debit cards are replacing traditional paper checkbooks. To make a purchase you simply swipe, insert, or tap your bank-issued card to have money automatically withdrawn from your checking account.
Debit cards allow you direct access to the liquid assets in your personal account, unlike a credit card which utilizes a borrowed line of credit extended to you by the card issuer. While credit cards face spending limit caps until the money is repaid, debit cards are only limited by the number of funds in your checking account.
It’s so commonplace to make purchases using a card that you probably don’t spend much time thinking about the reasons behind it. And we don’t blame you, but you may be surprised to find that there are significant benefits gained from making purchases with a debit card.
Benefits of Using a Debit Card
Leaving the cash at home and choosing to use your debit card has more advantages than you might think, such as:
Convenience
Most retailers, venues, and other providers accept debit cards, making them an easy way to complete purchases without having to carry around cash or a checkbook. You can also access funds and make withdrawals from an ATM without making a trip to the bank.
Security
As thieves get continually craftier, banks have continued to push innovation and progress to keep you and your money safe. New cards are issued with an embedded microchip that creates dynamic data which is nearly impossible to counterfeit. This means you can have peace of mind while you complete your transactions.
No Incurred Debt or Interest
Because your debit card instantly deducts money from your checking account, no debt is accrued. And because you aren’t borrowing from a lender, checking accounts don’t charge interest each month. Instead, you have a direct line to your personal account.
Few or No Fees
With so many banks competing for your attention, these institutions often leverage the act of cutting out checking account fees.
If there are charges, they are often related to the bank’s monthly maintenance fees, which can be eliminated by meeting the minimum balance requirement. Additionally, some banks will charge a small fee for using ATMs other than their own, which can be checked by reading the terms of service or confirming with your bank.
Holds You Accountable for All Spending
When you use your debit card to make a purchase, there’s a documented record of your spending. This transparency helps keep track of where all of your money is going, so you can track spending on the go.
Most banks offer an online portal or app, so you can log in from your smartphone or web-enabled device to check the status of your account in real-time.
Makes It Easier To Stick To Your Budget
The simple act of tracking your spending can make you more aware of where your money is going, and help you uncover areas where you can cut costs. Because you can see the immediate effect of your spending by viewing your checking account, sticking to a budget becomes easier.
May Offer Perks or Rewards
Debit card rewards may not be as robust as their credit card counterparts, but you can still earn perks from everyday spending. Some banks will offer cashback rewards or a loyalty system where you build up points that can be redeemed for discounts and other offers.
Credit Score Doesn’t Matter
You don’t need a shining credit score—or any credit score at all—to open a checking account and receive a debit card. So whether you’re a young adult opening their first account or worried about bad credit history, a checking account provides a safe place to store and manage your money.
Can Be Used With Digital Wallets
If you choose to do so, you can save your debit card information to a digital wallet, like Apple Pay® or Google Pay™. These services don’t store your personal information, which adds an extra layer of security to your transactions.
Auto-Pay Bills
Have you ever had to pay a late fee for forgetting to pay a bill on time? Debit cards can be used to set up automatic payments to ensure that essential services such as rent and utilities are paid on time and in full, so you never get unexpected surprises.
Shop Online
Make online shopping even more convenient by storing your card information on a trusted retailers website. You’ll be able to quickly complete a translation without having to go through the trouble of pulling out your debit card and typing in the information every time.
FSCB Debit Card Features
At FSCB, we believe that your debit card should work for you. That’s why we’ve incorporated a plethora of features that will benefit you on a day-to-day basis.
Spending Alerts
Not only can you set up real-time notifications based on your unique spending patterns, you also have the ability to remotely turn off your card to prevent unauthorized use if your card is lost or stolen.
Chip Card Security
The microchip embedded in every card helps to encrypt and protect your data from thieves by making it nearly impossible to counterfeit.
ID Theft Protection
Mastercard has partnered with industry-leading identity protection and fraud detection organization CSID® to provide early detection services. You’ll also have access to 24/7 expert assistance if you ever become the victim of identity theft.
Zero Liability Protection
Be protected against any unauthorized purchases made on your card if it is ever lost or stolen. You can learn more about Mastercard’s terms, conditions, and exclusions on the Zero Liability page of their website.
Fraud Detection
Unusual or suspicious activity will be brought to your attention early to minimize potential financial damages and safety issues. We’ll notify you by text first, and reach out by phone if you happen to miss the text. Don’t worry, this won’t happen with every purchase—only in the event of potential fraud.
Earn Prizes with the FSCB Grand Giveaways Sweepstakes
From November 2022 until April 2023, you can be entered into the Grand Giveaways event by using your FSCB Debit Mastercard.
All you have to do is use your card 35 times per month and you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing to win amazing prizes. FSCB will randomly select two winners per month from the pool of qualifying candidates.
All winners will be able to choose their prize. Once a prize is chosen, it will be removed from the prize list.
To learn more information and see a complete list of rules, click here.
Improve Your Financial Health with a Secure Debit Card
Checking accounts and their linked debit cards have a multitude of benefits that can be used to improve your finances and budget-planning ability. But each bank offers a different set of rewards, policies, and expectations, so it’s important to find the checking account that is right for you.
If you aren’t sure where to start or you’re looking to transition to an institution that better handles your specific situation, use this free checking account guide to understand the options available.
Comments (0)