Prepaid & Debit Cards FAQS

Metabank specializes on prepaid cards, so all the benefits of prepaid cards are there for you. Namely, no operations made with prepaid cards will affect your credit, so you may feel safe about your credit history. Prepaid cards won't make you spend more on purchases, because they don't have a credit line and you can spend only as much as you have put there. Besides, it's easy to get approved for prepaid cards - even with a limited credit score you can easily get such a card, because effectively you spend your own money. On the other hand, you won't earn rewards or borrow money for a big purchase, for that you only need credit cards. If you want to apply for a credit card, check out our...

Many people have become frustrated with the high fees banks charge for things like accidentally having an overdraft your account, failing to keep a minimum average balance in the account, doing wire transfers, paying bills, and ordering checks. Banks often waive the month fee if you do a bill payment and get a direct deposit into your account each month, but it can be hard to remember to do this, and frustrating every time you are charged a fee. One good solution is to get a prepaid card with no fees. The prepaid card acts in place of a checking account, and you can do nearly everything with it that you would do with a traditional bank account, except for writing paper checks – which most...

You can get a prepaid card with bad or no credit history, because prepaid cards do not require bank account or credit check. You may choose from different prepaid cards and apply online. Don't forget to read the card's terms and conditions carefully as many cards are loaded with fees.

Many people have trouble understanding the distinctions between a prepaid card and a regular credit card. But the difference is pretty easy to see, once it's explained. With a credit card, you are issued a line of credit which you can borrow against, but which you will have to repay. With a prepaid card, you load your own money onto the card initially, and then use it up when you make purchases. You can never go into debt using a prepaid card, because you are simply using up your own money. When it's gone, it's gone. There's nothing to pay back. A prepaid card is much more similar to a debit card than to a credit card. And in fact, many people use prepaid cards instead of having regular...

Almost all prepaid cards allow ATM withdrawals abroad, the only difference is fees. For example, consider the American Express® Prepaid Card. The card offers one free ATM withdrawal per month, and you will be charged $2.00 per ATM withdrawal thereafter. Also this card does not have monthly or annual fee. You can compare this card with other prepaid cards we have on our site.

The iAdvance Line of Credit associated with many prepaid debit cards from MetaBank exists no longer. For some reasons the Office of Thrift Supervision, MetaBank's bank regulator, required Metabank to stop iAdvance program by October 13, 2010 and for good. For more information please contact MetaBank.

Keeping track of your available balance is important, since with prepaid debit cards you can only charge up to the amount you have pre-deposited into your account. You can check your balance at your card issuer's web site, making a phone balance inquiry, or using an ATM. If you have mobile banking on your prepaid credit card, you can check your balance and view your transactions from your mobile phone. Carefully read terms and conditions of your cardholder agreement to know what options are available for your particular card and what associated fees for these services are.