A debit card is an ISO 7810 card which physically resembles a credit card, and, like a credit card, is used as an alternative to cash when making purchases. However, when purchases are made with a debit card, the funds are withdrawn directly from the purchaser's current/checking or savings account at a bank.

Credit card issuers (banks) cover their costs (including the interest costs for the money that is paid to merchants prior to the bank being paid by customers), and earn profits, by:

An example of the front in a typical credit card:
1. Issuing bank logo
2. EMV chip on "smart cards"
3. Hologram
4. Credit card number
5. Card brand logo
6. Expiration Date
7. Card Holder Name
8. contactless chip

A user is issued a credit card after an account has been approved by the credit provider (often a general bank, but sometimes a captive bank created to issue a particular brand of credit card, such as American Express Centurion Bank), with which they will be able to make purchases from merchants accepting that credit card up to a preestablished credit limit.