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Magic Johnson sponsors prepaid card

Want a little magic in your wallet? Now you can get a prepaid MasterCard debit card sponsored by the basketball great.

By MSN Money Partner Jun 29, 2012 1:18PM

This post comes from Jeanine Skowronski at partner site Credit.com.

 

Magic Johnson became the latest celebrity to enter the prepaid debit card market, after unveiling the aptly named Magic MasterCard last week.

 

Magic Johnson (© Mario Anzuoni/Reuters file)The former basketball star said in a press release that he launched the card, in partnership with OneWest Bank, to help customers without traditional bank accounts "function in today's society."

 

While the card contains a fairly competitive fee structure, it's not exactly a game changer.

 

Like Chase's virtually fee-free Liquid card, launched earlier this year, the Magic card carries a $4.95 monthly fee. However, it also carries a $4.95 activation fee and a 50-cent bank teller fee.

 

The monthly fee is higher than some of the card's major competitors and lower than others. Wal-Mart Money Card and Suze Orman's Approved Card both carry $3 monthly fees, while Green Dot, Mango Financial and RushCard charge $5.95, $5 and $9.95. (Post continues below.)

However, both Green Dot and Mango Financial will waive monthly fees if cardholders meet certain load requirements each month.

 

Magic Cardholders are entitled to two free out-of-network ATM withdrawals a month. After that, each will cost $2.50. In-network ATMs can be used for free. They also get one free live customer service call each month, after which they will be charged $2 per call.

 

Cardholders can carry up to $10,000 on the card. Maximum daily purchases are limited to $1,500. Cardholders can withdraw up to $500 from an ATM, bank branch or retail outlet daily. There are also maximum load limits of $5,000 a day and $10,000 a month.

 

Money can be added for free via direct deposit or from a bank account. Cardholders can also load money via a Green Dot Money Pack for $4.95 per load.

Magic card is partnering with PiggyMojo, an online savings tool, to help cardholders put money toward a specific goal. However, the feature is intended purely as a savings tool. It currently doesn't feature a rewards program.

 

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Marilyn Lewis is an award-winning writer with a passion for getting readers clear, straight information that helps them stay out of financial trouble. A former reporter for The San Jose Mercury News, she works from her home in Port Townsend, Wash. Contact her at MarilynLewis@Outlook.com.

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