In the recent past many card issuers have extended the range of tools available on debit cards. A chip on the card makes offline authorisation of guaranteed card payments possible. In addition, bank cards can be used as prepaid cards (the GeldKarte system of the ZKA). As a consequence of the merger between the Europe-wide edc (European debit card) service and the worldwide Maestro system, since the beginning of 1998 many POS terminals and cash dispensers throughout the world have been available to holders of ec cards with the Maestro logo. Recently, debit cards have been issued as Visa cards.
