Alterna - Debit Cards

Debit cards with more ways to pay

Your Alterna Savings debit card gives you secure access to your account for everyday banking.

New white VISA^® Debit cards use the VISA^® network to add online and international purchasing — while still drawing funds directly from your account. VISA^® Debit cards are not credit cards. Members who currently have the orange Alterna card, or a legacy debit card from a merged credit union that hasn’t yet been replaced, can continue to use their card for in-store purchases and ATM access until their new card arrives.

Card Design

Alterna’s VISA® Debit have a refreshed design to help you recognize them easily:

White, vertical card design
Card number printed on the back

Security you can
count on

All Alterna Savings debit cards are protected by the security standards you already trust.

Debit cards with VISA^® Debit include additional protections designed for online and international purchases, helping safeguard your account while you shop.

Your controls stay
the same

VISA^® Debit cards have the same controls as our earlier debit cards:

Existing controls on who can use the card and how it can be used remain the same
Existing debit card limits apply

This applies to personal accounts as well as business, non‑profit, and other organizational accounts.

Step 1
Look for the Interac® Debit contactless payments logo on the Payment terminal

Step 2
Hold your Alterna Debit Card to the payment terminal

Step 3
You will know your transaction has been completed when you see the "Approved" message

You've got questions.

We've got answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should choose to designate a specific chequing sub account to be your default account for completing Interac® Debit Contactless transactions. This is especially recommended for transactions posted outside of Canada.

If no default account is selected for Interac® Debit Contactless Payments, the account that is debited for Interac® Debit Contactless Payments, transactions will be your first available chequing account. If you do not have a chequing account, then the next available savings account will be debited.

If you wish to change your default account, you can call the Contact Centre or visit your branch.

Yes. For your protection there is a transaction limit of up to $250 per purchase made using Interac® Debit Contactless Payments, If your purchase is above this limit, you will be prompted to insert your Alterna Debit Card and enter your PIN.

As an added layer of protection, there is also a cumulative spend limit of $400 for Interac® Debit Contactless Payments, transactions. This is the sum of all contactless transactions made with your card since the last time you entered your PIN. When this limit is reached, you will be asked to insert your Alterna Debit Card and enter your PIN. This will reset your limit so you can continue to use Interac® Debit Contactless Payments.

No. In order to make the change you need to complete 3 consecutive Point of Sale (POS) contact transactions. The contact (pinned) transactions can be completed at different terminals but must be a contact transaction (requiring PIN entry). If a contactless transaction is performed, you will not be prompted to enter your card which is why we are advising you to complete the 3 consecutive POS contact transactions.

Once the 3 consecutive POS transactions have been completed, the contactless limits on the cards will be updated.

The first time that you pay for a purchase with your Alterna Debit card using Interac® Debit Contactless Payments, you will be prompted to enter your PIN.

If the amount of your purchase exceeds the Interac® Debit Contactless Payments, transaction limit for that particular merchant, then you’ll be prompted by the payment terminal to insert your card and enter your PIN. You’ll also be asked to insert your card and enter your PIN once a cumulative spend limit is reached.

Yes! Interac® Debit Contactless Payments, uses secure chip processing to protect against skimming, counterfeiting and electronic pick-pocketing. Interac® Debit Contactless Payments, also uses RF (Radio Frequency) enabled smartcard technology, which is more secure than RFID (typically used for inventory management). When you make a payment, the only data transmitted consists of payment transaction codes, not confidential details about your bank account. Transactions occur in real time, so no information can be captured by criminals to conduct fraudulent transactions or commit identity theft.

These features, along with the Interac® Debit Contactless Payments, tap limits and the need to enter your PIN when the limits are reached make this a very secure solution. Additionally, transactions are covered by Interac Zero Liability, which protects you against unauthorized activity on your accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your financial well-being comes first

Welcome to a better way to bank. Our knowledgeable team puts your financial well-being first with good, caring and transparent advice while offering all the products and services you need.
Stay in touch. Be the first to know about news, promotions and announcements. Sign up now!