Netspend prepaid cards are an alternative to traditional checking accounts. If you have a poor banking history that keeps you from qualifying for a checking account, a prepaid card gives you ...

See NerdWallet's picks for the best checking accounts of July 2025. ... Prepaid debit cards and checking accounts are similar in that you have an account with a certain balance to make purchases.

Prepaid Cards Don't Allow Overdrafts. Traditional checking accounts often come with the option to permit overdrafts: the bank covers a charge greater than the available balance, for a fee of ...

Most prepaid debit cards charge monthly maintenance fees that can be similar to checking account fees. But you may also pay a fee to open your prepaid debit card.

You can load the card from a checking account, your PayPal account or with direct deposit. You can also deposit cash at Green Dot locations, which costs up to $5.95 per reload.

Prepaid card vs. checking account. If you have a checking account with no monthly maintenance fee, it may be hard for a prepaid card to match its benefits ...

The Bluebird prepaid card, offered by Walmart and American Express, is drawing scruntiny because of its similarities to a checking account. But will federal regulators start treating it as such?

U nless you’re a whiz at managing your money, a checking account is going to cost you more than a prepaid debit card, a new report concludes. And if you do a really poor job handling your ...

Prepaid cards can be a good option if you don't have a checking account. Parents who want to give their kids a limited amount of money can also opt for prepaid cards.

Transferring money from a bank account to a prepaid card is a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process: Step 1: Choose the Right Prepaid Card.