Comerica Bank was the financial agent for the Direct Express card, but Fifth Third Bank is taking over as the new program manager, with Comerica servicing existing accounts during the transition to new cards, all operating under the Mastercard network, which provides surcharge-free ATMs at banks like PNC, Charter One, Alliance One, and MoneyPass locations, plus cash back at retailers.
Direct Express is a prepaid debit card program for federal benefits, issued by Comerica Bank (though a transition to Fifth Third Bank is underway), under license from Mastercard, allowing recipients to receive payments like Social Security or Veterans' benefits electronically. While Comerica managed the program, Fifth Third Bank is taking over as the new financial agent, starting September 2025, with new digital features.
The Direct Express® card surcharge-free ATM network offers surcharge-free ATM access at approximately 75,000 ATMs throughout the country including Comerica Bank, Charter One, Privileged Status, Alliance One, PNC Bank, MasterCard® ATM Alliance, and MoneyPass.
You can use your Direct Express® card whenever you need to, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to get cash at ATM machines worldwide that display the MasterCard® acceptance mark (see question 3.1 for information about fees that may apply).
GO2bank is a mobile bank that is actually a brand of Green Dot Bank, a Member FDIC-insured bank that also operates under names like GoBank and Bonneville Bank, meaning your money is federally insured and held by Green Dot Bank. Launched by Green Dot Corporation, GO2bank offers digital banking services, focusing on the underbanked with features like low fees, direct deposit, and tools to build credit.
Synchrony Bank is owned by Synchrony Financial, a publicly traded consumer financial services company (NYSE: SYF) that was spun off from General Electric in 2014. Synchrony Financial is the parent holding company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary is Synchrony Bank, which offers FDIC-insured savings products and credit cards for major retailers.
Direct Express® cardholders can get cash from ATMs worldwide wherever the MasterCard® acceptance mark is displayed.
Banks with no ATM fees often offer large surcharge-free networks (like Allpoint, MoneyPass) or reimburse fees, with top choices including Axos Bank, Ally Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Capital One 360, and Charles Schwab, catering to different needs from online banking to worldwide access. Look for online banks or credit unions with vast ATM networks or those known for unlimited fee refunds, like Charles Schwab for global use or Axos for domestic.
Withdraw money from a Direct Express® card surcharge-free network ATM. Go to any bank or credit union that displays the MasterCard® acceptance mark and get cash from a teller free of charge.
No, Direct Express is not a checking account; it's a prepaid debit Mastercard for federal benefit recipients, acting as a bank account alternative that allows electronic deposits, spending, cash access, and bill payments without needing a traditional bank account. It's a secure way to get benefits like Social Security and SSI, functioning like a debit card with features like low balance alerts and no credit checks, though there are fees for some services, notes the Social Security Administration.
Comerica Debit Mastercard. Shop with ease. The Comerica Debit Mastercard® lets you Tap & Go® with contactless technology.
Yes, you can usually withdraw money from a different bank using your debit card at their ATM, but you'll likely pay fees, from your bank and/or the other bank, and may face daily withdrawal limits, though you can often avoid fees by using ATMs within your own bank's fee-free network.
These banks are: ANZ • BOQ • Bank SA • Bank of Melbourne • Bankwest • Bendigo & Adelaide Bank • Citibank • Commonwealth Bank • HSBC • ING Direct • ME Bank • NAB • St. George • Suncorp • Westpac.
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Direct Express is a prepaid debit card program for federal benefits, issued by Comerica Bank (though a transition to Fifth Third Bank is underway), under license from Mastercard, allowing recipients to receive payments like Social Security or Veterans' benefits electronically. While Comerica managed the program, Fifth Third Bank is taking over as the new financial agent, starting September 2025, with new digital features.
The Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card is issued by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated.
My Banking Direct is able to offer higher rates by being an online-only bank. You can manage your account anytime on our website or mobile app. However, you can use Flagstar ATMs to manage your account. There are no fees for My Banking Direct customers to use Flagstar ATMs.
We build simple, secure and useful financial tools and experiences for our customers and the customers of our growing list of innovative and respected partners, like Apple, Intuit, Walmart, Amazon, CVS Pharmacy and many more.
Chime is great for its fee-free overdraft (SpotMe) and user-friendly app, while GO2bank shines with higher savings interest (4.50% APY on up to $5k) and easy cash deposits at retailers, though Chime often has fewer fees overall and stronger savings tools, but GO2bank offers FDIC insurance through Green Dot Bank and early direct deposit, making it a strong contender for those needing cash access and higher savings yield.