We're talking about a playing-card-sized wafer of plastic that allows you to draw money from an account in a variety of ways.

Different accounts offer different cards. As a rule, at 16 you can open a basic account that comes with a cash card, and then a current account at 18 that offers debit, cheque guarantee cards. Often these are combined cards, which is a cash, debit and cheque guarantee card rolled into one.

Each card comes with a unique, four digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) that allows you to use the card. For security reasons, this should be known by nobody else but you. You can also change it to a number you find easy to remember.

You'll also need to sign the card before you use it for the first time.

Cash cards

A cash card allows you to draw money from cash machines (ATMs). Many banks set a daily limit as to how much you can take out, even if your account contains funds.  A cash card is often issued as part of a basic account package. The minimum age to open an account like this is 16.

Debit cards

A debit card allows you to pay for goods at the point of purchase, providing there's money in your current account. Some shops may also provide 'cashback' when making your purchase (which means they debit more than the cost of the goods, and hand you the difference in cash). Generally you must be 18 before a bank will issue a debit card as part of a current account package.

Pre-paid debit card

The pre-paid debit card. A fairly new concept in banking for young people. The pre-paid debit card operates much like a pre-paid phone card, allowing users (or their parents) to 'top up' the card with cash from another account.

Users as young as 13 are the focus for many pre-paid card providers, which has attracted criticism for the suggestion that it will encourage credit card style spending instead of saving. There is no overdraft facility, but charges are made for the card and some of its uses, such as withdrawing money from a cash machine.

Cheque guarantee card

A cheque guarantee card is used to back up any cheque you write - usually up to the value of £50-£100, but some cards may go higher. You must be 18 or above before your bank will issue a cheque guarantee card and chequebook as part of a current account package.

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Updated: 17/10/2011