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Cash Cards Mean Convenience

Debit cards, sometimes called "cash" or "check" cards, may now be to consumers what credit cards were 20 years ago.

1. The card bears the MasterCard or Visa logo. That means it's accepted at any of the more than 10 million merchant locations worldwide that accept MasterCard/Visa credit cards.
2. It directly accesses funds from your checking account, so, unlike a credit card, there's no outstanding balance or interest to pay.
3. It eliminates the need to carry a checkbook or large amounts of cash.

Debit cards offer the added convenience of being an ATM (automated teller machine) card. You can use it to withdraw cash at ATMs, both locally and out of state.

Plus, you can use the card at grocery stores, service stations, and other retailers offering automatic payment through point-of-sale machines at the checkout counter.

Keeping track of a debit card transaction is no more difficult than managing your checkbook. As with a check, you deduct the amount from your account balance as soon as possible. The major difference: Instead of a check copy, you have a store receipt for your records.

More and more people are using debit and credit cards together as cash management tools. They make debit payments for smaller purchases, such as clothes and groceries. They reserve credit payments for more expensive items, such as appliances and airline tickets.

For more information, or to apply for a debit card, contact a credit union.