You remembered to pack the sunscreen, flip-flops, and sun glasses, but what about what’s in your wallet? As millions of Americans take to the roads, skies, and beaches this travel season, prepaid travel cards are a popular option for travelers, who recognize their security, convenience, and affordability as a perfect vacation companion

Whether traveling abroad or a few hours from home, many travelers worry about carrying large amounts of cash or their debit cards, linked to their primary bank accounts, because of the possibility of loss or theft.

Prepaid travel cards offer a safe alternative, as they can be used wherever debit cards are accepted but they can be preloaded with smaller dollar amounts, rather than linked to primary checking or savings accounts and the entire associated balances. And just like debit cards, many prepaid travel cards are covered by the payment network’s zero liability policy, so money on the card is protected from loss or theft.  Prepaid travel cards can often be loaded with the currency of the country you are visiting, with exchange rates locked in at the time they are loaded. This is a great option for college students studying abroad for the first time, who may not have enough credit to get a credit card or who may not have a checking account. 

Prepaid travel cards are also helpful for financially savvy travelers who want to set a budget for the trip and stick to it. Because cardholders cannot spend more than the amount loaded to the card, staying on budget is easy—and helps one avoid checking account overdraft fees. And if a traveler decides to extend his budget, adding money to a card is easy to do from anywhere in the world—and funds are immediately available. 

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, bringing a prepaid travel card is a great option to reduce stress and save money. Matching convenience with security helps ensure travelers get the most out of their vacation. As the weather starts to turn warmer and thoughts move to both sand and sun, a prepaid travel card may become just as common place in travelers’ suitcases as swim suits and floppy hats.

For more information, check out our infographic here.   

On the latest episode of the Power of Prepaid Podcast, host and NBPCA COO Ben Jackson is joined by Brian Tate, the CEO of the NBPCA to talk about the midterm elections and what is happening at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

In the show, they take a non-partisan look at the possible outcomes of the midterm elections.   

The results of the election will have a strong influence on the payments industry, and Ben and Brian take a look at what might happen if there are changes in one or both houses of Congress. In considering that possibility, it seems that the de-regulatory trends in the market could be reversed by a change in control. Even with new laws of regulations, the financial services industry could face renewed scrutiny if a different part is in charge. 

You can listen to the Power of Prepaid Podcast here—or wherever you listen to your podcasts, including iTunes, Soundcloud, and Google Play.  

With more than half of Americans either owning or working for a small business, helping these entities thrive is essential to a growing economy. During National Small Business Week this week, NBPCA joins entrepreneurs across the country to look for opportunities for growth, innovation and competitiveness in the 21^stcentury. Through innovative payments offerings, like prepaid and payroll cards, the industry is empowering small businesses and their employees to streamline operations while maximizing convenience and security.

Payroll cards offer an alternative to traditional paper checks, allowing employees without bank accounts to access their wages immediately without going to the bank. It’s estimated that issuing and depositing paper checks costs businesses between $26 billion and $54 billion each year. Additionally, businesses that switch to payroll cards for their employees have reported reduced administrative costs through simplified payroll processes. That’s money entrepreneurs can better invest in their businesses to expand and grow.

For employees, especially those without a traditional checking account, the benefits of payroll cards are clear. Bypassing check-cashing offers employees greater convenience than a paper check. Payroll cards give employees the ability to immediately access their funds, giving them a financial asset that can be used just like a debit card. That flexibility extends to built-in features that give employees tools to budget and keep track of their purchases online. Additionally, with their wages safe on a payroll card, hard-earned money is better protected from theft or fraud.

As small businesses continue to innovate and drive our modern economy, the prepaid industry is doing the same to keep them on the right track. With a focus on providing safe, convenient and expeditious payments offerings prepaid aims to continue small business’ remarkable progress.

Check out our infographic to learn more about payroll cards: here. 

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On the latest episode of the Power of Prepaid Podcast, host and NBPCA COO Ben Jackson is joined by the Sarah Grotta, the Director of the Debit Advisory Service at Mercator Advisory Group. 

In the show, they discuss how people have been using apps in place of cash and checks to pay one another. They also discuss how the market is different for users of apps that are offers by banks and those offered by Fintech companies.  

The P-to-P market will have a strong influence on the payments industry, and Sarah and Ben discuss the importance of this emerging payment. They also touch on the way that regulations have affected the development of the market.   You can listen to the Power of Prepaid Podcast here—or wherever you listen to your podcasts, including iTunes, Soundcloud, and Google Play.