How to Create and Manage Holdings Debit Cards

In today’s world, business owners know that every dollar counts. Managing your company’s cash flow, controlling expenses, and keeping your finances organized can make the difference between growth and stress. That’s where Holdings steps in-offering a modern, all-in-one financial platform that puts powerful tools like physical and virtual cards right at your fingertips. Whether you’re a startup founder or running a growing team, Holdings cards are designed to help you streamline expense management, boost security, and maintain full control over your business spending-all while earning high-yield rewards and skipping the fees that traditional banks love to charge.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to create, customize, and manage Holdings cards, plus share best practices and real-world examples for getting the most out of your financial toolkit.

Why Holdings Cards Are a Game-Changer for SMBs

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Traditional business debit cards and credit cards often come with hidden fees, low interest rates, and clunky management systems that make it hard to track spending or enforce budgets. Holdings flips the script with:

• Zero fees and no minimums-keep more of your money working for you.

• Up to 3.0% APY on your deposit account-so your cash earns while it sits.

• Integrated accounting and bookkeeping-spend less time on manual data entry and more on growing your business.

• Full control over physical and virtual cards-issue, freeze, or close cards instantly, set spending limits, and get real-time transaction alerts.

• Enhanced security-virtual cards protect your main account details and help prevent fraud or identity theft.

• Allpoint ATM access-deposit or withdraw cash nationwide, fee-free.

Let’s see how easy it is to put these perks to work.

Step-by-Step: Creating and Managing Holdings Cards

1. Access the Cards Dashboard

Start by logging into your Holdings account from your desktop or mobile app. Navigate to the “Cards” section from the main menu. Here, you’ll see a clear overview of all your cards-both physical and virtual-including their status (active, frozen, or closed), the deposit account they’re linked to, and recent transactions. This dashboard is your command center for card management, giving you the visibility you need to keep your business running smoothly.

2. Create a New Card

Ready to empower a team member or set up a dedicated payment card for a new project? Click the + Add button. You’ll be prompted to select which deposit account the new card should pull from-perfect for businesses that keep separate accounts for payroll, marketing, or operations.

3. Enter Cardholder Details

Fill in the cardholder’s information:

• First and last name

• Date of birth (for security and regulatory compliance)

• Email address (for notifications and digital delivery)

• Phone number (for verification and alerts)

Accurate details are crucial for preventing fraud and ensuring your company stays protected from risk.

4. Choose Your Card Type: Physical or Virtual

• Physical Card: A classic plastic card, delivered to your address. Ideal for in-person spending at the point of sale, ATM withdrawals, or when you need a tangible card for travel and business expenses. Holdings limits one physical card per team member to keep things simple.

• Virtual Card: Instantly generated and ready for online banking, online shopping, digital subscriptions, or vendor payments. Virtual debit cards are perfect for managing recurring charges, ad campaigns, or one-time purchases-without exposing your main account details.

Both card types are powered by Mastercard, so you can use them anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other mobile wallets.

5. Customize Card Settings for Total Control

Give each card a custom name, like “Office Supplies,” “Travel Expenses,” or “Google Ads.” This makes it easy to track spending and assign budgets at a glance. Next, set your spending controls:

• Daily purchase limit-cap how much can be spent in a day.

• Monthly purchase limit-keep departments or individuals within their budget.

• Merchant category restrictions-limit cards to approved expense categories or vendors.

These controls help prevent overspending, overdraft, and unauthorized purchases-no more surprise charges or end-of-month headaches.

6. Manage and Monitor Your Cards in Real Time

Once a card is created, click on it in the dashboard to:

• View card details (type, status, billing address, linked deposit account)

• Freeze or close the card instantly if it’s lost, stolen, or no longer needed

• Change the personal identification number (PIN) for physical cards

• Track every transaction as it happens, with instant notifications to your mobile device or email

Holdings’ online banking platform make it easy to stay on top of your business debit cards from anywhere-whether you’re at your desk or on the go.

How Holdings Cards Help You Master Expense Management

Let’s break down the key ways Holdings cards make business spending smarter, safer, and more efficient:

Streamlined Expense Management

Allocating budgets and tracking expenses shouldn’t require a PhD in accounting software. With Holdings, you can issue dedicated cards for each department, project, or team member. For example:

• Give your marketing team a virtual card for online ad spend, with a set monthly budget.

• Issue a physical card to your office manager for supply runs and point of sale purchases.

• Set up a virtual card for recurring software subscriptions, so you never miss a payment or go over budget.

Every transaction is automatically categorized and synced with your integrated accounting tools-no more chasing receipts or reconciling messy spreadsheets.

Enhanced Security and Fraud Protection

Virtual cards are a game-changer for reducing fraud and identity theft. Since each virtual debit card is tied to a specific purpose or vendor, you can:

• Instantly close or freeze a card if you spot suspicious activity.

• Limit cards to one-time use or a specific merchant, minimizing your risk exposure.

• Keep your main bank account details safe from data breaches or chargeback scams.

Physical cards are chip-enabled for secure in-person payments and can be managed just as easily from your dashboard.

Real-Time Visibility and Control

Gone are the days of waiting for the monthly statement to see where your money went. Holdings gives you real-time insights into every transaction, with instant alerts for large purchases, declined payments, or attempted use outside of approved categories. This transparency helps you spot errors, prevent unauthorized spending, and keep your team accountable.

Improved Budgeting and Accountability

Custom card names, spending limits, and transaction tracking make it easy to see exactly where your money is going. Assign cards to specific projects or clients, and export transaction data for easy tax preparation or accounts payable reconciliation. This level of detail supports better decision-making and helps you plan for growth.

Best Practices: Get the Most from Your Holdings Cards

To truly unlock the power of Holdings cards, keep these tips in mind:

• Define Clear Policies: Set company-wide guidelines for card use, including approved vendors, spending categories, and documentation requirements. This reduces risk and ensures everyone is on the same page.

• Leverage Virtual Cards for Online Payments: Use virtual cards for anything digital-subscriptions, ad campaigns, SaaS tools, or one-off vendor payments. If a card is compromised, just close it and create a new one in seconds.

• Set Spending Limits That Match Your Budget: Adjust daily and monthly limits based on each card’s purpose. For example, set a higher limit for your travel card and a lower one for office snacks.

• Monitor Activity Regularly: Use Holdings’ real-time dashboard and mobile app to keep tabs on spending. Set up alerts for large or unusual transactions, and review card activity during your monthly bookkeeping.

• Freeze or Close Cards Instantly: If a card is lost, stolen, or no longer needed, freeze or close it from your dashboard-no need to call customer service or wait on hold.

• Integrate with Your Accounting Software: Holdings syncs with popular accounting tools, making it easy to automate reconciliation, track expenses, and prepare for tax season.

Real-World Example: How a Marketing Agency Uses Holdings Cards

Let’s say you run a fast-growing marketing agency. You want to keep your cash flow healthy, avoid surprise fees, and make sure your team sticks to the budget.

• You issue a virtual card named “Google Ads” with a $5,000 monthly limit, linked to your main operating account. All ad spend is tracked in one place, and you never worry about going over budget.

• Another virtual card, “Software Subscriptions,” has a $1,000 monthly cap and is used only for tools like design software and your CRM. If a subscription price increases or a vendor tries to overcharge, you get an instant alert.

• Your account manager gets a physical card for travel and client meetings, with a daily purchase limit to prevent overspending. All receipts are uploaded via the Holdings mobile app for easy reconciliation.

At the end of the month, your accounting software syncs with Holdings, making tax prep and accounts payable a breeze. You see exactly where every dollar went-no more guesswork or manual data entry.

Holdings vs. Traditional Business Debit Cards: A Quick Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Holdings cards for online shopping and mobile wallets?
Absolutely! Both physical and virtual cards work with all major online merchants, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets.

What happens if a card is lost or stolen?
No worries-just log into your dashboard and freeze or close the card instantly. Your funds stay protected, and you can issue a replacement in seconds.

Are there any fees for using Holdings cards?
Nope. Holdings is built on a zero-fee model: no monthly charges, no overdraft fees, no ATM fees within the Allpoint network. More money stays in your business.

How does Holdings help with bookkeeping and accounting?
Every transaction is automatically categorized and synced with your accounting software, so you spend less time on manual entry and more time growing your business.

Can I set up cards for contractors or temporary team members?
Yes! Issue virtual cards for short-term projects, set strict spending limits, and close the card when the job is done. It’s perfect for flexible teams.

Final Thoughts: Make Your Money Work Harder with Holdings

Managing business expenses shouldn’t be a headache. With Holdings, you get a financial sidekick that helps you control spending, boost security, and automate your accounting-all while earning industry-leading APY on your deposit account. Whether you’re issuing a business debit card for travel, a virtual card for online advertising, or managing your entire team’s spending from one dashboard, Holdings puts you in the driver’s seat.

Ready to ditch the fees, earn more on your cash, and simplify your financial life? Create your first Holdings card today and experience banking that pays you back.

Your business hustle deserves banking that works just as hard. Holdings gives you the tools to manage expenses, safeguard your funds, and grow with confidence-no hidden fees, just real rewards.