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M&T Debit Card F A Qs

Get answers to frequently asked questions about the M&T Debit Card.

What is the M&T Debit Card?

With your M&T Debit Card​​ you can make purchases big or small anywhere Visa® is accepted. When you make a purchase from a store or online retailer, the money is withdrawn from your linked checking account. The M&T Debit Card also serves as your ATM card for withdrawing cash from any linked deposit account, and it can be used to get cash back from retailers when you make purchases using your personal identification number (PIN). Additionally, you can use the card to transfer funds between linked accounts.

When you make a purchase with an M&T Debit Card, the money is taken out of your linked M&T checking account. Follow the prompts on the terminal to complete your transaction. You may be asked to enter your PIN or sign for your purchase. Either way, you will not be charged a fee for purchases in the U.S.

M&T does not charge fees for using your M&T Debit Card for purchases in the U.S.; however, fees will apply if you use your card outside the U.S., including online purchases with a merchant located outside of the U.S. You must have sufficient funds available in your account. In addition, other fees, including overdraft fees may apply to your deposit account or linked overdraft line of credit, or credit card account, according to the terms of your account.

​​When you receive your card in the mail, simply call the number shown on the sticker on the front of your card or activate it at an ATM. Once the card is activated, remove the sticker and sign the signature panel on the back of the card.

Although a debit card features the Visa® logo, it's not a credit card. The Visa logo simply widens your spending options, allowing you to make purchases worldwide, online, in-app, or over the phone. However, unlike a credit card, when you use a debit card, the purchase amount is deducted from your checking account.

​​​​​Use your M&T Debit Card​​ at millions of locations worldwide, at your favorite online merchant, over the phone and for in-app purchases.​

​​No, the M&T Debit Card​ extends your purchasing power so that you can pay bills, and make purchases online, over the phone and in app. With M&T Assurance® you will receive the benefit of 24/7 Real-Time Fraud monitoring. Real-Time Fraud Monitoring screens your account 24/7 to help you detect suspicious card activity outside your normal purchasing pattern.

It’s an easier, safer and more convenient way to access your money than cash or checks for everyday purchases.

  • Receive the benefit of 24/7 Real-Time Fraud monitoring which helps detect suspicious card activity outside your normal purchasing pattern.
  • Extend your purchasing power so that you can pay your bills, complete online, over the phone and in app purchases.
  • Shop online easily with Visa Checkout and pay quickly on-the-go with Apple Pay®, Google Pay™and Samsung Pay

​There is NO ANNUAL OR MONTHLY FEE. Transaction fees may apply. See your Electronic Banking Card and Telephone Transaction Disclosure and Agreement for details.​

​Purchases will be authorized and paid from the primary checking account linked to your debit card. ​With your M&T Debit Card you can visit the M&T Mobile Banking app and any M&T Bank ATM to access multiple accounts. Check balances, transfers funds, make deposits or withdrawals and even make payments to line of credit accounts – although not all ATMs offer all transaction types. Up to 10 accounts may be linked:

  • 4 Checking Accounts
  • 4 Statement Savings Accounts
  • 2 Line of Credit Accounts

Each account has a unique identifier – "account nickname" (i.e., House Acct 1234, Vacation Acct 2222, Tommy's Acct 4546). M&T Bank ATM​ screens will display the accounts associated with your card. Select the account for which you would like to perform a transaction. All accounts will also be accessible via the M&T Telephone Banking Center at 1-800-724-2440.

Use of these features and services requires Internet and/or data access through a computer or mobile device. Subject to availability and the same limitations as any service available through the Internet. M&T Bank is not responsible for matters that are outside of its reasonable control that might impact availability and functionality. M&T Bank reserves the right to suspend service for any reason at any time. Your mobile carrier's text messaging and data charges may apply. Fees may apply for optional services provided through M&T Online Banking. View the M&T Digital Services Agreement for additional details.

​​You can access your detailed transaction information online through M&T Online and Mobile Ba​nking by calling the M&T Telephone Banking Center at 1-800-724-2440 or by reviewing your account statements. Each purchase is detailed on your monthly checking account statement with the transaction date, amount, merchant name and location.​

Use of these features and services requires Internet and/or data access through a computer or mobile device. Subject to availability and the same limitations as any service available through the Internet. M&T Bank is not responsible for matters that are outside of its reasonable control that might impact availability and functionality. M&T Bank reserves the right to suspend service for any reason at any time. Your mobile carrier's text messaging and data charges may apply. Fees may apply for optional services provided through M&T Online Banking. View the M&T Digital Services Agreement for additional details.

To help keep your money safe, your M&T Debit Card has some limits in place. These limits shouldn't affect your everyday use and are intended to help protect your account against potential fraudulent activity. You can find out more about these limits in the Electronic Banking Card and Telephone Transaction Disclosure and Agreement that came with your card.

We also keep an eye on your account, and if we notice anything unusual, we'll contact you to double-check that these charges are not fraudulent.

Purchase returns will appear in M&T Online and Mobile Banking, although access to the funds will not be available until the return is cleared by the store or service provider. 

Purchase returns may take up to three business days to process; any questions regarding the status of a return should be directed to the store or service provider from which you made the return. 

If you think there is an error involving a transaction, such as a purchase you didn't make or an incorrect amount charged to your card, notify us immediately. In some cases we may provide a provisional credit as soon as 2 hours (but it could take up to 10 business days) to assist with any inconvenience you may have experienced.

Contact us by calling the M&T Telephone Banking Center at 1-800-724-2440 or by writing to:

Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
P.O. Box 767 
Buffalo, New York 14240-0767

If you have a problem with any goods or services purchased using the card, please attempt to settle any disputes directly with the merchant wh​o provided the goods or services. For more details, please refer to the Electronic Banking Card and Telephone Transaction Disclosure and Agreement you received with your card.

If you have a damaged card, and would like to get a replacement, you can:

  • Log in to Online Banking and select Order a Replacement Card from the Services Menu
  • Log in to the M&T Mobile App, select Card Services from the Menu, and select Order a Replacement Card
  • Call 1-800-724-2440
  • Visit your local branch​

If your card is lost or stolen, you should immediately report the incident:

  • Log in to Online Banking and select Report a Lost or Stolen Card from the Services Menu
  • Log in to the M&T Mobile App, select Card Services from the Menu, and select Report a Lost or Stolen Card
  • Call 1-800-724-1552
  • Visit your local branch​

To minimize the amount of any loss you may be responsible for, notify us immediately if your card gets lost or stolen. The Visa Zero Liability Policy provides additional protection for unauthorized transactions made through the Visa​ network.

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 Alerts are available for M&T Online and Mobile Banking users at no charge., You can opt to receive notifications to your email or mobile device with details about certain types of account activity - including security alerts, debit card purchases that were made by web/phone, purchase returns and large withdrawals. M&T Alerts also allows you to track balances and transactions.

If you aren't already enrolled in Online Banking, sign up now​.

Use of these features and services requires Internet and/or data access through a computer or mobile device. Subject to availability and the same limitations as any service available through the Internet. M&T Bank is not responsible for matters that are outside of its reasonable control that might impact availability and functionality. M&T Bank reserves the right to suspend service for any reason at any time. Your mobile carrier's text messaging and data charges may apply. Fees may apply for optional services provided through M&T Online Banking. View the M&T Digital Services Agreement for additional details.
M&T Bank Alerts are available for your M&T Card through M&T Online Banking. 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.
M&T Bank Alerts are available for your M&T Card through M&T Online Banking. 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.
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.