Woman holding debit card

Debit Cards

Your debit card is a go-to tool you use every day. At Bank Independent, we think it's important to understand exactly what our card can do for you.



Pair it with your smartphone. Or use it as a savings tool.


You already know you can use your debit card to make purchases and access ATMs. But these days, you can also link it to your mobile device for convenient contactless payments at merchants everywhere. And you can sign up for Smart Swipe, a Bank Independent program that rounds up the change from debit card purchases and deposits those nickels and dimes in your savings account.  


Debit Card Features

Contactless Payments
  • Leave your cash and checkbook at home and zip through checkout lines faster than ever.
  • If your phone isn't pre-loaded with Mobile Wallet, download the appropriate app from Google Play or the App Store.
  • Load your debit card info into the mobile wallet.
  • When it's time to pay for store purchases or restaurant meals, just wave the card over – or tap it against – the merchant's electronic payment terminal.
  • The payment amount is automatically deducted from your checking account.
  • Enhanced security features mean the merchant never has access to your personal or financial data.

Smart Swipe
Saving money is important. At Bank Independent, we also make it automatic.
  • When you enroll in Smart Swipe, each time you use your Bank Independent debit card, we round up change from your purchases to the next dollar.
  • Whether that amount is 99 cents or 5 cents, it's deposited directly into the Bank Independent account of your choice.
  • For example, let's say you spend $4.50 on coffee. When you pay with your debit card, $4.50 would go for your beverage and 50 cents would go to savings.
 

Debit Card Management
Protect your finances from unwanted transactions and potential fraud by setting some ground rules. The Card Management tool can be found on Online and Mobile Banking.
  • Lock your card if it's misplaced so no one else can use it.
  • Report a lost or stolen card.
  • Set maximum spending limits, block international or out-of-state transactions, or allow purchases at only certain types of merchants.
  • Have alerts about card use sent to your mobile device by text, in-app, or email.
  • Block unwanted transactions.
  • Change your mind? Simply change your settings.

Mastercard® Automatic Billing Updater

Keeping your Bank Independent Debit Card "on file" with a merchant is a convenient way to simplify future purchases or automated checking debits without having to re-enter card data for every transaction.
  • Keeping your preferred debit card information up-to-date with the merchant is even easier with Mastercard's Automatic Billing Update (ABU).
  • Participating merchants will now automatically update your debit card information when it changes due to an expired card, a card that's reissued after being lost or stolen, or anytime the card is replaced.
  • To opt out of the ABU program, please contact our Customer Service team at (256) 386-5000 or (877) 865-5050 Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 

Debit Card Security

All Bank Independent debit cards include secure EMV or "chip" technology. An embedded microprocessor chip stores and transmits data, so your personal financial information is more secure than ever. But that's only one of many ways to protect your privacy and account data.


Mastercard SecureCode
This private code for your Bank Independent debit card that adds a complimentary layer of security to online shopping, carefully evaluating a variety of data behind the scenes with each online transaction.
  • No pre-enrollment is required; in fact, certain transactions and online merchants automatically extend SecureCode services to you. 
  • SecureCode may prompt you to provide additional secure information to confirm that it's really you. The information you enter will only be used to verify that particular purchase.

Mastercard Protection
Our partnership with Mastercard includes no-cost protections for your purchases.
  • Extended Warranty Coverage: Mastercard doubles the original manufacturer's or store brand warranty for up to one year on items you purchase with a Bank Independent debit card.
  • Zero Liability Protection: Rest assured. As a Bank Independent Debit Cardholder, you won't be held responsible for unauthorized transactions.

Mastercard and the circles design are the registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. © 2025 Mastercard. All rights reserved.


Avoid Debit Card Issues When Traveling

Our fraud specialists are constantly monitoring your debit card activity for suspected fraud, including unusual spending patterns, spending in unusual locations, or attempts to use your card in states or countries that have high levels of fraud.
  • If we see this sort of activity on your card, we will sometimes temporarily suspend your card until we can confirm this activity is legitimate.
  • A simple way to avoid debit card disruptions or blocks when you're traveling is to notify Bank Independent before you leave. Just call Customer Service at (256) 386-5000 or (877) 865-5050.



Woman holding phone with Bank Independent mobile app on screen

Digital Banking Solutions
Banking That Moves With You

Travel Confidently with Your Debit Card

  • Plan for foreign ATMs: Some international ATMs charge additional access fees or allow you to access only your primary Bank Independent account.
  • Plan for international debit card fees: Bank Independent does not charge a fee for international purchases but other processors or merchants might.
If your debit card is still in your possession and you identify transactions that you have not authorized, call Customer Service at (256) 386-5000 or (877) 865-5050 as soon as possible to file a dispute. Another option is to complete our Online Dispute Form.
  • Mobile Banking: Select the "Manage Cards" menu option, choose the appropriate card, then press "Report Lost or Stolen."
  • Online Banking: Choose "Settings" and then "Manage Cards," then click the appropriate box under the "Lost/Stolen" column.
  • Customer Service: Call (256) 386-5000 or (877) 865-5050.
  • Independent Express: Call (866) 478-5010, choose Option 5, Option 2, then Option 1.

With any of these options, your card will be cancelled. A new card will be issued quickly upon request.