What is a defining feature of a debit card?

A defining feature of a debit card is that it withdraws funds directly from a checking account. When a debit card is used for a transaction, the money is immediately deducted from the user’s linked checking account, which reflects the actual balance available to the account holder. This characteristic helps users manage their finances more effectively, as they can only spend what they have in their account, thus avoiding debt accumulation that can occur with credit-based transactions.

In contrast, the other options describe features that do not apply to debit cards. For instance, the ability to withdraw cash from credit lines pertains to credit cards, which allow borrowing up to a specified limit. Automatically increasing credit limits is also a feature of credit accounts, not debit cards, which are inherently tied to existing funds. Lastly, the earning of interest on deposits typically refers to savings accounts rather than the direct use of debit cards. Overall, the immediate fund withdrawal from a checking account is what fundamentally distinguishes debit cards from other payment methods.