Wal-Mart, American Express team on prepaid card that mimics free checking

NEW YORK (AP) – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and American Express are rolling out a prepaid card that they say offers unique services designed to help shoppers manage and control their everyday finances.

The two companies said Monday that Bluebird, begun during a pilot program late last year, acts like a checking account but without the fees that have increasingly frustrated shoppers. It will have no minimum balance and no monthly, annual or overdraft fees. They say the only fees that will be associated with the card will be transparent and within the user’s control, such as out of network ATM withdrawals by consumers who don’t use direct deposit.

Instead, what Bluebird will be loaded with is a number of features, including the ability to deposit a check to one’s Bluebird account by simply taking a picture with a smartphone. It will also offer the same fraud protections in an event the card is stolen or lost as other standard cards.

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