M&T Check Card Frequently Asked Questions
For questions regarding Visa® Extras, click here.
For questions regarding Verified by Visa, click here.

What is the M&T Check Card?
The M&T Check Card is still your ATM card, but you can also use it to make purchases from your checking account at millions of locations nationwide. The M&T Gold Check Card shares the same convenience and features of the M&T Check Card, but offers a little more purchasing power through increased daily transaction limits.

Does the Visa® logo mean the M&T Check Card is a credit card?
Your card is a check card, not a credit card. The Visa logo expands your purchasing power, allowing you to make purchases at millions of locations worldwide. The purchase amount comes directly out of your checking account, which means you can avoid purchasing on credit. Even though the card is just as easy to use as a credit card to make purchases, finance or interest charges do not apply.

Where can I use the M&T Check Card?
Use your M&T Check Card instead of cash or checks at millions of locations worldwide, including your local movie theater, the hardware store, or at your favorite restaurant. It's also good for all your everyday purchases including dry cleaning, photo processing, and stamps.

What if I shop on the telephone or Internet? Don't I need a credit card for these purchases?
The M&T Check Card is accepted at millions of locations worldwide – at merchants, over the phone, or for electronic transactions.

If it works like a check, why not use checks?
Checks often have limited acceptance, especially out of town. The check card is accepted at over 24 million Visa locations. A check card purchase is faster than paying by check-no waiting for time-consuming check authorization. No ID is required when using a check card. Checkbooks can be cumbersome to carry around. The card fits into your wallet, so it's always with you.

What is the M&T Gold Check Card?
The M&T Gold Check Card shares the same convenience and features of the M&T Check Card, but daily transaction limits are increased for those times when you need a little more purchasing power.

How can I get an M&T Gold Check Card?
The M&T Gold Check Card is only available with an M&T Select banking relationship. To learn more about all the valuable benefits that M&T Select can offer, click here. If you already have an M&T Select account and do not have a card, click here to request a M&T Gold Check Card. If you do have a M&T Check Card and would like to upgrade to the gold card, please visit your nearest branch, or speak with your Relationship Manager.

Does the M&T Check Card have an annual fee or any transaction fees?
There is NO ANNUAL OR MONTHLY FEE. There is no fee for purchases made through the Visa Network. There is a $0.50 transaction fee if you use your PIN when making a purchase at a merchant self-service payment terminal. This fee does not apply to M&T Select accountholders.

How do I avoid transaction fees?
The easiest way to avoid the fee for transactions made with a PIN is to simply select the "Credit" option whenever you're making a purchase with your M&T Check Card and ask to sign your receipt. You can also join M&T Select - this special relationship banking program offers you valuable benefits. Stop in any branch or call the M&T Telephone Banking Center at 1-800-724-2440 to learn more.

How do I activate my M&T Check Card?
When you receive your card in the mail, simply call the number shown on the sticker on the front of your card. Once the card is activated, remove the sticker and sign the signature panel on the back of the card.

What accounts can I access with my M&T Check Card?
With the introduction of Multiple Account Links, M&T Check Card holders can access almost all of their accounts at any M&T Bank ATM to check balances, transfers funds, make deposits or withdrawals and even make payments to Line of Credit accounts. Up to ten accounts may be linked:

4 Checking Accounts
4 Statement Savings Accounts
2 Line of Credit Accounts

Each account will be identified with a unique identifier - "account nickname" (i.e., House Acct 1234, Vacation Acct 2222, Tommy's Acct 4546), and all M&T Bank ATM screens have been enhanced to recognize Multiple Account Links. M&T Bank ATM screens will display all applicable accounts associated with your card and will request you to select the account for which you would like to perform a transaction (accounts differentiated by unique nickname and last four digits of the account). All accounts will also be accessible via the M&T Telephone Banking Center at 1-800-724-2440 .

Why would I want to link up my accounts to my M&T Check Card?
Now you are no longer required to have a different M&T Check Card or ATM card for each checking or savings account opened. There's only one unique PIN number for ONE card you need to remember - now that's convenient!

How do I keep track of the purchases I make with my M&T Check Card?
With the M&T Check Card, record keeping is easy. Each time you make a purchase, you will receive a receipt from the merchant. This is much faster than waiting for your canceled checks to arrive! Each purchase is detailed on your monthly checking account statement and includes the transaction date, amount, merchant name, and location. You can also access your account summary online through M&T Web Banking. Your balance is also available 24 hours a day by calling the automated Customer Service line at 1-800-724-2440.

Does the M&T Check Card have any spending or cash withdrawal limits?
Yes, While these limits should not affect your average everyday use of the card, there are cash withdrawal and purchase limits in place to prevent excessive usage if your card were to be used by an unauthorized individual. Please refer to the Electronic Banking Card and Telephone Transaction Disclosure and Agreement you received with your card for more information regarding these limits. In addition, as an added benefit for your protection, if we notice that your card is being used more frequently than normal, the Bank may request to speak to you at the time you are making a purchase, or may call you at home to ensure that your card is not being used fraudulently.

What happens if I return an item that was purchased with my card?
Depending on the merchants restrictions, funds will be credited back to your check account within a few days.

What should I do if I think there is an error on a transaction made with my M&T Check Card?
If you think there is an error involving a transaction made with your M&T Check Card, such as a purchase you didn't make or an incorrect amount charged to your Card, notify us as soon as you discover the error. Contact us at once by calling the M&T Telephone Banking Center at 1-800-724-2440 or by writing Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, P.O. Box 737, Buffalo, New York 14240-0767. If you have a problem with any goods or services you purchase using the Card, please attempt to settle any disputes arising from the problem directly with the merchant who provided the goods or services. For more details, please refer to the Electronic Banking Card and Telephone Transaction Disclosure and Agreement you received with the Card.

How can I get a replacement for my damaged M&T Check Card?
You can quickly and easily request a replacement card online. Please do not request a replacement card if you card is lost or stolen - see below.

What should I do If I lose my card or it is stolen?
If your card is lost or stolen, you should immediately call the M&T Telephone Banking Center at 1-800-724-1552, or stop into a branch to report the incident.

I'm concerned my money is at risk if my card gets lost or stolen.
Even if your card gets lost or stolen, know your funds are protected. Visa's Zero Liability policy* offers complete liability protection against any unauthorized purchases made through the Visa network. M&T will extend provisional credit to you typically within one to two days of notifying us of any suspicious activity while we investigate.

*Visa's Zero Liability Policy covers U.S. -issued crds only, and does not apply to commercial credit cards. ATM transactions, PIN-Based or other transactions not processed by Visa, or if you are grossly negligent or fraudulent in handling your card or card number. Notify M&T Bank immediately of any fraudulent use. Certain unauthorized transactions require a cardholder signature prior to issueing provisional credit. Seee your cardholder agreement for more details.