Account Card

An account card is a card which enables access to a bank account. This may be accomplished using information stored on a microchip, magnetic stripe, or in written form on the face of the card itself.

In the case of private accounts, an account card may be an ATM card or a debit card (such as a Maestro or Postfinance card) which combines the features of a checking card and an ATM card. In the case of a savings account, the account card is usually an ATM card.

Many Swiss banks issue both ATM cards and debit cards, and give customers a choice between the two. Typically, the ATM cards offered do not have annual fees, while the debit cards offered normally do have annual fees.

ATM cards only let you access your account and withdraw money at ATMs operated by the same bank. Debit cards let you withdraw money at both in-network and out-of-network ATMs and make payments at compatible point of sale (POS) terminals.

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