M&T Debit & Credit Cards with Chip Technology F A Qs

We're here to answer your questions.

What is a chip card?

A chip card is built with a microchip that provides increased security and convenience when using your card at a chip-enabled terminal. Benefits include:

  • The chip stores information required to authenticate, authorize and process your transactions
  • The chip is encrypted, which means that it is difficult to copy or counterfeit

You may also hear cards with chip technology referred to as EMV® cards or Smartcards. EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard® and Visa®, the original organizations that created the specifications

Chip technology cards contain embedded microprocessors that provide stronger transaction security features and other encryption capabilities not possible with traditional magnetic stripe cards.

At a Non-Chip Terminal

Simply swipe your card and sign the receipt or enter your PIN, if required. M&T cards with chip technology will continue to have the magnetic stripe on the back of the card for purchases at merchants who do not have a chip terminal.

At a Chip-Enabled Terminal

  1. Instead of swiping your card, insert the chip portion of the card into the terminal with the chip facing up. It's important to leave the card in the terminal until the transaction is complete – if you remove the card too soon, the transaction will end, and your purchase will not be processed
  2. Follow the prompts on the terminal's screen. Depending on the terminal, you may or may not be asked to enter your PIN while your card is inside the machine
  3. The terminal will display the purchase amount
  4. Once the purchase is approved and the transaction is complete, you will be prompted to remove your card and take your receipt. If you are not asked for your PIN, you may be asked to sign the receipt for the transaction

Online and Phone Transactions

These transactions will be conducted the same way they are conducted for cards without chip technology. Your PIN is not required for online or phone transactions.

​​​​You can use your M&T card with chip technology at all locations that accept Visa® – with or without chip technology. The chip allows you to pay at international merchant locations where chip cards are the standard.

​In addition to the embedded chip that provides an added layer of security at chip-enabled terminals, your card will also continue to have the traditional magnetic stripe, enabling you to use it at merchants who do not yet have a chip-enabled terminal. 

No additional fees apply – please refer to your cardholder agreement for standard card fees.​​

You may load your M&T card with chip to any digital wallet that accepts M&T cards for payment.

​These are all just different terms for the same technology. These cards are a global standard for processing credit and debit card payments. Various companies may refer to chip cards slightly differently, but they all function to help keep your card more secure.

​Chip technology has been in existence for over two decades and is already the security standard in many countries around the world. When purchases are made using the chip feature, the transaction is more secure because of a unique process that is used to determine if the card is authentic. This makes the card more difficult to counterfeit or copy. Chip technology is the next step to providing enhanced security to our customers. Whether you use the magnetic stripe or the chip to make your purchase, you can have confidence in the protection and security features we provide for all credit and debit card accounts. Remember, if you notice any suspicious activity on your account notify us immediately by calling the number on the back of your card.

Chip card technology provides an additional layer of security to help reduce certain types of fraud resulting from data breaches. However, it will not prevent a data breach.

​No. As the industry continues to develop new ways to protect consumers, criminals continue to look for new ways to commit fraud. Chip cards provide an additional layer of security at chip-enabled terminals, on top of the fraud prevention monitoring we currently provide. You are also covered by the Visa Zero Liability Policy.

The Visa Zero Liability Policy covers U.S.-issued cards only and does not apply to certain commercial card transactions, transactions not processed by Visa, or if you are grossly negligent or fraudulent in handling your card or card number. Notify M&T Bank immediately of any unauthorized use. See your cardholder agreement for more details.

​No. Chip card technology is not a locator system. The chip on your card is limited to supporting authentication of card data.

​M&T Bank is committed to your security and continues to provide you with Visa Zero Liability Policy, 24/7/365 real time fraud monitoring and security alerts (available on debit cards only).

The Visa Zero Liability Policy covers U.S.-issued cards only and does not apply to certain commercial card transactions, transactions not processed by Visa, or if you are grossly negligent or fraudulent in handling your card or card number. Notify M&T Bank immediately of any unauthorized use. See your cardholder agreement for more details.
M&T Bank Alerts are available for your M&T Card through M&T Online Banking (not available for Business Debit Cards). Suspicious activity alerts notify customers of certain potentially fraudulent activity on their M&T Card. Alerts are designed to be a helpful account management tool, but they do not identify all potential fraudulent activity and are not a substitute for security and fraud precautions including, but not limited to, verifying statements and being aware of your outstanding payments and available balance. For your protection, “suspicious activity” and “card PIN change” email alerts cannot be disabled. M&T Bank is not liable for any losses customers may incur due to an alert not being delivered. Your mobile carrier's text messaging and data charges may apply. 

​If your card is lost or stolen, promptly contact us at 1-800-724-1552 or stop in a branch so we can issue you a new one. Note that no personal information is stored on the chip – it contains information used to process your transactions at a merchant terminal.

​You should never give out your PIN and M&T will never call customers asking for a PIN.

​If you don't have a debit card with chip technology today, contact us at 1-800-724-3222 or stop into a branch. You'll receive one when your old card expires or needs to be reissued.

Yes. You can continue to use your card as you do today by following the instructions at an ATM.

​To find out if the card reader is chip-enabled, swipe your card and then follow the prompts on screen. If the card reader is chip-enabled, you will be instructed to insert your card into the slot at the front of the reader. Keep your card in the reader and enter your PIN, or sign as needed. Follow the prompts on screen until your transaction is complete, and always remember to take your card when you're done.

​If you don’t know your PIN or would like to change it, call 1-800-724-2440 or visit an M&T branch.

​Your new card will feature the same image as your most recent custom card.

​​​Your M&T Bank Visa® Credit Card features chip technology, which is an encrypted microchip that helps to protect your card from fraud and counterfeit transactions. Although there is no guarantee that chip technology will prevent fraud from happening, the encryption technology and dynamic data authentication help provide increased protection from counterfeit card creation. Your card also features a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you can customize, which helps add to the security of your credit card. These cards will continue to feature the traditional magnetic stripe, so you can use them anywhere.​​

​​​You may be asked to enter your PIN when using your new M&T Visa® Credit Card at a chip-enabled merchant location. In other instances, you may simply be asked to sign a receipt as you do today. Just follow the prompts on the merchant terminal. The merchant terminal will guide you through the transaction.​​

​​Your PIN adds an extra layer of security to the transaction. Only you, as the cardholder, will know your PIN.​​​​

If you already have a PIN associated with your M&T Bank Visa® Credit Card, you can keep it or set a new one.​​

​​If you don't know your PIN or would like to change it, call

  • 1-800-724-2440 for Debit Card
  • 1-866-279-0888 for Credit Card

​​​You can visit mtb.com/chipcard for more information or call 1-866-279-0888 (Mon–Fri 6am–9pm and Sat–Sun 9am–5pm ET).​​

Unless otherwise specified, all advertised offers and terms and conditions of accounts and services are subject to change at any time without notice. After an account is opened or service begins, it is subject to its features, conditions and terms, which are subject to change at any time in accordance with applicable laws and agreements. Please contact an M&T representative for details.
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