Bank cards have become one of the most widely used financial tools, providing quick access to money for payments, purchases and cash withdrawals.
Cash or Card? Card, Please!
Although 94% of European Union citizens have a bank account, Romania still lags behind most member states. Data from the National Bank of Romania show that three in ten Romanians do not have a bank account, while card payments are less common than elsewhere in Europe. Banks compete to offer attractive current account packages and credit cards.
Understanding the differences between debit and credit cards can help you choose the option that best suits your lifestyle and financial needs.
A debit card is linked directly to a bank account and allows you to spend only your own available funds. It is the simplest way to manage your day-to-day money.
Unlike a debit card, a credit card provides access to a credit limit made available by the bank. The amounts spent can be repaid later, either in full or in instalments, and many products include benefits such as grace periods, interest-free instalments, cashback programmes and discounts at partner retailers.
BRD’s range includes debit cards linked to accounts for salary payments, pensions and minors. Account maintenance fees may be waived under certain conditions, such as receiving income into the account and completing a minimum number of transactions. For credit cards, the bank offers a grace period of up to 55 days, while purchases of at least RON 600 can be split into six interest-free instalments.
BCR also promotes debit cards linked to current accounts, with benefits conditional on having a salary or pension paid into the account. Credit card customers benefit from a grace period of up to 55 days and the option to pay for purchases of at least RON 600 in up to 12 interest-free instalments.
Exim Banca Românească offers debit cards linked to children’s accounts (Contul ABC), accounts for young people (Pachetul Dinamic), salary accounts (Pachetul Exim Clasic, Select or Premium) and pension accounts (Pachetul Pensia Activă).
Debit cards can be used free of charge provided that the contractual requirements regarding recurring income payments and active account use are met. In addition, until the end of the year, new customers receive a guaranteed RON 150 bonus after making at least five payments of RON 20 or more within the first month of opening their account package.
Until the end of October, Exim Banca Românească is also running a campaign for young people who already hold or open a Pachet Dinamic account package, giving them the chance to win one of ten scholarships worth RON 8,000 each.
Mastercard Gold and Standard credit cards offer special benefits for both shopping and travel. Exim Banca Românească customers can split any purchase of at least RON 200 made at retailers in Romania or abroad into up to 12 interest-free instalments, while benefiting from an extended grace period of up to 61 days.
The choice between a debit card and a credit card depends on how each person manages their budget and the benefits they are looking for. While a debit card is suitable for managing everyday expenses using your own funds, a credit card can offer greater flexibility and access to additional benefits, provided that credit is used responsibly.
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