Check Eligibility For Debit Cards

What is a ‘Debit Card’

A debit card is basically a card issued by Banks along with the bank accounts to the account holders. The most basic use of a debit card is to use it to withdraw money from an ATM machine. Debit cards can also used for shopping and travel etc. However, the use is limited to the amount of funds available in your linked back account. With debit cards, one can deposit and withdraw as per your convenience without going through the hassle of going to a branch and standing in long queues. Debit cards can also be utilized for mobile banking and internet banking.
When you open an account with any bank in India, you are issued a Debit Card as part of the welcome kit.

Debit cards v/s ATM cards:

1. ATM Cards
   • ATM cards can be used only at ATM machines and generally only to withdraw cash.
   • There is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that is required to carry out a transaction.
   • An ATM card is linked to your Savings Account maintained with the bank.
   • The card does not offer credits and hence money is deducted on a real-time basis.
   • ATM withdrawals charge you a fee if the transaction is being carried out in an ATM machine of a different bank beyond a fixed number of attempts.
2. Debit cards
   • Debit cards come with almost every feature of a credit card even though it doesn’t allow credit and is usually linked to the savings account of the card holder.
   • Just like an ATM card you will require a four-digit Personal Identification Number to complete your purchases or draw money from ATMs.
   • In addition to ATM machines, your debit card can be used at stores or restaurants and can also be used for online payments.
   • There are usually two types of debit cards—Visa debit cards and MasterCard debit cards.
   • Much like ATM cards, the debit card allows you to use the money from your savings account.
   • It is different from a credit card as the customer does not have to pay interests or make a repayment schedule.

Debit cards v/s credit cards:
Debit cards allow bank customers to spend money by drawing on funds that they deposited with the card provider. Credit cards allow consumers to borrow money from the card issuer up to a certain limit in order to purchase items or withdraw cash.
Debit cards can be used almost anywhere in place of a credit card. The only exceptions might be for rental cars and hotel stays. In those situations, the amount of your final bill is unknown, so billers may require that you use a credit card. At the least, they’ll probably put a large authorization hold on your account, which can tie up funds in your checking account.
Credit Card usage will help you make money. The card holder is using the issuing company’s funds to purchase and gets anywhere between 15 to 45 days of interest free credit. This concept of ‘buy now and pay later’ on the credit card helps one earn interest on the funds that he would have used if the debit card was used for the transaction. Definitionally, a higher usage on the credit card should lead to higher savings.
Debit cards have a lower annual fee in comparison to credit cards.

Transactions that can be done at ATMs by using Debit Cards

Most individuals with Debit Cards can use ATM machines t withdraw cash. However, ATM machines can also be used for other functions as well. They include:

• Payment of Utility Bills
• Ordering a cheque book
• Changing PIN
• Depositing Cheques / Cash
• Balance Enquiry
• Transferring Money
• Making credit card payments
• Paying taxes
• Recharging mobile phones