It’s simple, really. Debit cards give you a fast, easy and secure way to make a purchase or withdraw cash.

Here’s how they work. When you use your debit card to buy something or withdraw money from an ATM, the transaction usually takes three important steps:

• One. The transaction is forwarded through what is called a payment processor.
• Two. The processor routes the transaction to an ATM/debit network.
• Three. The network then sends the transaction to your bank or credit union. Your financial institution verifies the availability of funds and then approves or declines the transaction.