What is the Bangladesh standard on Audit(BSA-300) ? Describes in details

Corporate Accounting Treatment

Debit Card vs. Credit Card: What's the Difference? with Advantages & disadvantages:

Both debit cards and credit cards are commonly used payment methods, but they function differently and have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Let's look into both in detail.

1.Debit Card:

A debit card is a payment card that allows you to access and spend the funds in your bank account. When you make a purchase using a debit card, the amount is immediately deducted from your account balance.

How it works:

You swipe or insert the debit card at a point of sale (POS) or online to make a purchase.

The bank verifies the transaction against the available balance in your account.

The payment is processed immediately, meaning you can only spend what you have in your account.

Advantages of Debit Cards:

1.No Interest Charges:

Debit cards do not involve borrowing money, so there are no interest charges associated with purchases.

2.Immediate Payment:

Since the funds are deducted directly from your account, there's no waiting period for payment to process.

3.Helps with Budgeting:

Since you can only spend what you have, debit cards can help control your spending and stick to a budget.

4.Low Fees: 

Debit cards usually come with fewer fees than credit cards, as long as you avoid overdrawing your account or using an ATM outside your network.

5.Easy Access to Funds:

Debit cards allow you to easily withdraw cash from ATMs or make purchases, acting like an electronic form of cash.

6.No Debt: 

Since you're spending your own money, there’s no risk of going into debt.

Disadvantages of Debit Cards:

1.Limited Fraud Protection:

While debit cards offer some fraud protection, it’s often less robust than credit card protection. If your debit card is compromised, the money is immediately taken from your account, which could take time to recover.

2.No Credit Building:

Debit cards do not affect your credit score or help you build a credit history since they don’t involve borrowing or repayment.

3.Overdraft Fees:

 If you don’t have enough funds in your account and opt for overdraft protection, you could be charged significant fees for covering the shortfall.

4.Potential for Insufficient Funds:

Unlike credit cards, debit cards don’t allow you to make purchases that exceed your balance unless you’ve arranged for overdraft protection, which could be costly.

2. Credit Card:

A credit card is a payment card that allows you to borrow money from a financial institution up to a certain limit (known as the credit limit). You are expected to pay back the borrowed amount later, often with interest if not paid off in full.

How it works:

You use the credit card to make a purchase or transaction.

The bank or card issuer pays the merchant on your behalf and then bills you for the amount spent.

You receive a statement with a due date, and you can either pay off the full amount or make a minimum payment.

If the balance isn’t paid in full, interest is charged on the remaining amount.

Advantages of Credit Cards:

1.Builds Credit History:

Regular use of a credit card and timely payments can help build or improve your credit score, which is essential for future loans or mortgages.

2.Fraud Protection:

Credit cards offer superior fraud protection. If your card is lost or stolen, you can report it, and the charges will be reversed.

3.Rewards and Benefits:

Many credit cards offer rewards programs, such as cashback, points, or travel miles for purchases, which can be redeemed for various benefits.

4.Purchase Protection:

Credit cards often provide purchase protection, extended warranties, and return protection, offering extra peace of mind on your purchases.

5.Emergency Funding:

A credit card provides a financial safety net for emergencies when you don’t have enough funds in your bank account.

6.Grace Period:

Most credit cards have a grace period, meaning you can avoid interest charges if you pay off your balance in full before the due date.

Disadvantages of Credit Cards:

1.High-Interest Rates:

If you don’t pay your credit card bill in full, interest rates can be very high, leading to significant debt accumulation.

2.Debt Risk:

Using a credit card irresponsibly can lead to high debt, especially if you’re only making minimum payments, which can be difficult to pay off over time.

3.Fees:

Credit cards can come with annual fees, late payment fees, and foreign transaction fees, which can add up quickly if you're not careful.

4.Credit Score Impact:

Mismanaging your credit card, such as missing payments or maxing out your credit limit, can negatively affect your credit score.

5.Complicated Terms:

Credit cards come with complex terms, including promotional interest rates, fees for exceeding the credit limit, and varying grace periods.

 

Key Differences Between Debit and Credit Cards:

Feature	Debit Card	Credit Card
Payment Source	Directly from your bank account.	Borrowed money from the credit card issuer.
Interest Charges	No interest charges if funds are available.	Interest charges if the balance is not paid off.
Credit Score Impact	Does not affect your credit score.	Affects your credit score based on usage and payments.
Spending Limits	Limited to the balance in your bank account.	Can spend up to the credit limit set by the issuer.
Fees	Few fees, but may incur overdraft fees.	May have annual fees, late payment fees, and high interest rates.
Fraud Protection	Limited, with money deducted from your account immediately.	Superior fraud protection and disputes can be resolved quickly.
Rewards	Rarely offers rewards.	Often comes with rewards like cashback, travel points, etc.

In Finally:

Debit cards are best for individuals who want to avoid debt and prefer spending only what they have in their account. They offer easy access to funds but with fewer protections and no credit-building potential.

Credit cards are suitable for people who want to build credit, enjoy rewards, and are comfortable managing their spending. They come with the risk of debt accumulation due to high-interest rates, but they also provide better fraud protection and benefits.

Both cards have their advantages and disadvantages, so the choice depends on personal financial habits, preferences, and goals.