How It Works

It takes only a few seconds to access your money using a debit card, but how does your money make it from your financial institution to an ATM, or to the cash register at a store? The process is simpler than you think. When making a purchase or withdrawing money from an ATM using your debit card, the transaction typically makes three important stops before it reaches your financial institution for approval:

• The transaction is sent to a processor for appropriate handling.
• The processor forwards the transaction to an ATM/debit network.
• The network routes the transaction to the cardholder’s financial institution, which verifies its validity, and the available funds, then approves or declines the transaction.

In a matter of seconds, the approval or decline is sent back through the pathway in reverse, either completing your transaction or denying the request. PIN-based transactions are almost instantly recorded in your account. Signature-based transactions can take up to two days to be reflected in your account.

It’s always important to check your account statements or online account information, and track all transactions on a regular basis. Visit our Safe and Secure page on this site for more information on the latest technology used to protect your debit account and tips on what you can do to ensure accurate and safe withdrawals.