Debit MasterCard

      The Debit MasterCard is a debit card. It uses the same systems as the standard MasterCard credit card, but does not use a line of credit to the customer, instead relying on funds that the customer has in their bank account.

      A Citizens Bank Debit MasterCard

      United Kingdom

      In the United Kingdom, the Debit MasterCard operates alongside MasterCard's already-established Maestro debit card scheme.

      Prior to the Debit MasterCard, Maestro debit cards were the only debit cards provided by MasterCard, which were not accepted as widely worldwide, unlike the Debit MasterCard which is accepted worldwide wherever MasterCard is accepted. The Maestro scheme is still in place as an alternative to the Debit MasterCard, operated by S2 Card Services Ltd. under licence from MasterCard.

      ↑Jump back a section

      Australia

      In Australia, the Debit MasterCard is a competitor to the Visa Debit cards provided by Visa Inc..[1]

      The Debit MasterCard was first launched in Australia by Westpac in 2006[2] as an alternative card for the bank's Cirrus cardholders.

      The Commonwealth Bank and ME Bank are notable for being the only bank in Australia to issue a Debit MasterCard to any account holder aged 16 and older,[3][4] whereas other institutions require cardholders to be aged 18 or older.

      ↑Jump back a section

      Baltic region

      Swedbank has offered Debit MasterCard in Estonia since 2011, Latvia and Lithuania since 2012.

      ↑Jump back a section

      United States

      In the United States, unlike Australia and the United Kingdom, four levels of Debit MasterCard are available: Standard, Gold, Platinum and World.[5]

      ↑Jump back a section

      Read in another language

      This page is available in 1 language

      Last modified on 5 April 2013, at 11:51