ARLINGTON, Va. — Even as debit cards and debit card transactions continue to make inroads into the use of cash and checks, particularly checks, the percentage of credit unions that issue debit cards continues to stubbornly hover at around only 50%.

The reasons have not been fully explored, but CU size appears to play a significant role. While only roughly 50% of credit unions overall offer their members debit cards, the number jumps to 85% among credit unions over $10 million in assets.

Card experts say whether a credit union offers checking accounts is the real dividing line. They maintain that all credit unions, even small ones, which offer their members a checking account, ought to offer debit cards as well. Debit card transactions will make the CU money whereas checks will cost the CU money, as well as help the credit union hold onto members whose business it might otherwise lose.