HOUSTON — Surcharge-free ATM access is gaining in popularity among debit card issuers, according to the 2008 Debit Issuer Study, commissioned by PULSE.
The same survey also found financial institutions are increasingly offering debit rewards. The study found that 51% of responding institutions are now offering rewards, compared to 37% in 2006. An additional 23% of issuers surveyed say they are considering adding a rewards program.
“The increase in debit rewards is driven mainly by a growing interest in cash rewards, which are now offered by 42% of respondents that have debit rewards programs, compared to 16% in 2006,” the study’s authors said. “Points-based rewards are the most common program type, offered by 58% of the institutions that have programs. Merchant-funded rewards programs are gaining in popularity and far out-pace other program types in terms of cardholder engagement (83%).
