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How to open a joint account online with joint prepaid cards

4 min read

Written By

Justin da Rosa

joint prepaid cards

You’re probably familiar with credit cards and debit cards, right? After all, they’re the most popular way to pay for things in Canada these days, now that the world has gone (almost) entirely cashless. What you might not be familiar with is a prepaid credit card – and why they might be the best way to supercharge your financial game. Let’s dig into the specifics of this phenomenon known as prepaid card access and see why most prepaid credit cards are so popular today.

A prepaid credit card is sort of a hybrid of both credit cards and debit cards. They operate like a credit card – and work on credit card payment networks, such as Mastercard – but, unlike their more traditional counterparts, you use your own money when tapping a prepaid card (vs. credit when using a credit card). The benefit of a prepaid card vs. a debit card is that you can use your prepaid card, worldwide, wherever the credit card network cards, such as Mastercard, are accepted.

How Does a Joint Prepaid Card Work?

How joint cards work is pretty simple. Two people open an account and are each given their own card for that account. That means they’ll both have access to the funds in the account and share the responsibilities of owning that account. These joint prepaid credit cards are linked to a bank account that is shared with more than one individual and are essentially shared cards that multiple people can be authorized to use. These are some of the best prepaid credit card options available for couples and families with teenagers who need some guidance with their first credit cards.

Overall, a prepaid credit card will operate similarly to regular accounts, in that they require funds to be deposited before they can be used for things such as online shopping or tapping at the grocery store. The difference is that, with a regular account, more than one person can access those funds. So, it’s important to communicate well with the other cardholder you share a joint card with. You’ll want to be transparent with how the cards will be used and agree upon how you’ll manage the money within it.

Joint Accounts Online With Joint Prepaid Cards

Understanding how a joint prepaid credit card functions is straightforward. When two individuals open an account, each is provided with a card linked to that account. This arrangement grants both parties access to the funds within the account and entails shared responsibilities for its ownership. The functionality of joint cards closely resembles that of regular accounts, necessitating deposits before they can be utilized for activities like online shopping or transactions at the grocery store.

However, the key distinction for joint prepaid cards lies in accessibility, as multiple individuals can access the funds in a regular account. Therefore, maintaining clear communication with the other cardholder sharing the joint card is crucial. Transparency regarding card usage and reaching agreements on how to manage the finances collectively is vital. This ensures a harmonious and effective collaboration in overseeing the joint account.

Before opening any joint prepaid cards account with someone, make sure to discuss what the account will be used for and how you plan to make sure there’s always enough money to cover your shared spending.

Who are joint prepaid credit cards most ideal for?

Joint prepaid cards are great for couples, families, and even business partners. That is one of the big appeals of a prepaid credit card. It allows more flexibility and versatility with access to prepaid credit card balances and simple tasks like trying to withdraw money and access bank account information.

A joint prepaid card is a great way to handle shared finances and share bank accounts with financial institutions in Canada. They allow two people – such as husband and wife, parent and child, or business partners – to access and use the funds in one shared account. The ability to share funds and communicate financially in this manner makes prepaid credit card options a popular option for anyone needing multiple access points to the same bank account.

With a joint prepaid credit card, all account holders share equal responsibility for managing the account and its transactions. This can be advantageous for collaborative financial goals, such as family expenses or business operations. Joint prepaid cards provide a level of adaptability and flexibility that many standard prepaid cards simply do not.

Another advantage is that both cardholders in a joint account can see their shared financial activity. This can be helpful when managing a household’s expenses or, say, when a child goes off to school and a parent would like to help them financially. These sorts of benefits are very desirable and are unique to most joint prepaid credit card services and jointly linked bank accounts and direct deposit setups.

With a joint account, you’ll only want to open one with someone you trust completely since you and the other cardholder have access to shared funds. You’ll want to be wary of sharing a prepaid account with someone whose spending habits can get out of control. It is important to make sure you trust those on the prepaid credit card account and that you keep communication lines open at all times between account owners and managers.

Getting a prepaid card is a big step and it is not something that should be taken lightly. There is a great deal of power and flexibility that comes from the use of a joint prepaid card account offered by leading Canadian financial institutions. However, there are also some special considerations and responsibilities that must be taken into account when looking for the best prepaid credit cards for joint account holders. There is one question that has to be answered before you get a joint account with a prepaid card- is this right for me?

Should You Get a Joint Prepaid Credit Card?

If you have someone you’re close with, and who you share expenses with, a joint prepaid card can be a great way to manage shared finances.

Some of the pros of a joint prepaid credit account include:

  • Shared access to funds that makes prepaid card access desirable and one of the features that often separate the best prepaid credit cards from other joint prepaid credit card options.

  • Transparency of spending when a prepaid card is used as all authorized users can see what funds are used and what balance remains on the prepaid credit card account.

  • Easier expense sharing between all users who are authorized to use the prepaid card and who can use the credit history reports to improve credit building options and opportunities.

  • Joint financial goal planning for everything from major purchases to free everyday transactions and everyday purchases as well as access to savings account and direct deposit options.

  • Potentially lower monthly fees, lower transaction fees, fewer foreign transaction fees, annual fee, and more money saved in your account rather than spent on fees and surcharges.

  • A great way to offer financial support to younger family members or new business partners who need assistance learning how to use a prepaid card and a joint bank account.

There are, however, some potential cons of a prepaid credit joint account. They include:

  • Less financial independence as the credit history and transactions are all shared and viewed by everyone on the account and overdrafts and conflicting purchases can happen at times.

  • Shared responsibility if one cardholder overspends as it is difficult to prove who used the prepaid credit card and terms usually say all owners and users share responsibility.

  • Potential conflict between prepaid credit cardholders when it comes to what to use the prepaid credit card funds on and how to manage and use the joint bank account.

  • Potentially unequal contributions and spending can occur if one user on the joint prepaid credit account tends to do more spending while the other is the one funding the direct deposit.

Only you can decide whether a prepaid joint card is right for you. Make sure to have a discussion with the person you plan on sharing it with to align on goals and responsibilities before opening an account together. Finding the best prepaid credit card will depend on your needs and limitations. With careful planning, joint prepaid credit cards can open the doors to easier financial access, credit history and credit building, while also providing reliable access to prepaid cards and additional funds.

KOHO Options for Prepaid Credit Cards

Save money with fewer monthly fees, savings account options, credit building services, access to mobile or online banking options, and the finest in prepaid credit card options. For individual card owners looking to improve their credit history and find a secured credit card that is right for them, KOHO offers four different subscription tiers. There is something for everyone. You can choose one based on your goals and how much you plan on using the card. You can compare them here.

Note: KOHO product information and/or features may have been updated since this blog post was published. Please refer to our KOHO Plans page for our most up to date account information!