What is a Debit Card?

A debit card is a payment card that deducts money directly from your checking account when it is used. Also called “check cards” or "bank cards," they can be used to buy goods or services; or to get cash from an ATM or a merchant who'll let you add an extra amount onto a purchase.

What makes my debit card different than a credit card?

When you use a debit card, the funds for the amount of your purchase are taken from your checking account almost instantly. When you use a credit card, the amount will be charged to your line of credit, meaning you will pay the bill at a later date, which also gives you more time to pay.

It can often be complicated to decide when it is best to use each card. For everyday purchases, consider using your debit card. For bigger items, such as a rental car or hotel room, you could use your credit card so that you can save up money by the time you have to pay.

Are Debit Cards secure?

Our debit cards come with safeguards to prevent fraud. When you use a debit card at a grocery store or gas station, for example, you are often required to provide a unique PIN number. Pioneer Bank is also constantly on the lookout for any transactions that could be potentially fraudulent. In most cases, we will send mobile alerts and phone calls as soon as we notice suspicious charges or unusual activity on your account.