Card Services > Visa Debit Card > Debit vs. Credit

Unlike other forms of payments, at most locations you can choose how you’d like to authorize the purchase. With PIN-based debit, you are required to enter your personal identification number (PIN) for safe access to your money and account. PIN-based debit allows you to perform transactions at ATMs, make purchases at retailers that provide PIN pads, and receive cash back at participating retailers. Your transaction request is processed immediately with PIN debit, and is reflected in your account almost instantly. With signature debit, your transaction is settled in your account within a few days.

Signature debit transactions are similar to traditional credit card transactions because they are signature-authorized, but unlike credit cards, the funds are debited from your checking account rather than charged against a line of credit. Signature-based transactions are typically accepted at retailers or service providers that honor Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Your authorization can be completed in one of two ways. You may either sign your receipt for in-store purchases or, when making purchases online or over the phone, you can complete your purchase through a process known as a “card-not-present” transaction. These types of transactions do not require a signed authorization.