OneWest Bank intros card controls app to manage debit card use, security

OneWest Bank, the Southern California retail bank division of CIT, has rolled out a card controls feature for its mobile app that helps cardholders manage debit card use and combat potential fraud, according to a press release.

The feature lets consumers set spending limits, create transaction alerts, specify merchant categories such as food, gas or entertainment, and define regions where the card can be used. 

Consumers can also disable certain locations or merchant categories from spending and can turn the associated debit card off and on in order to keep it secure. The app is available in the Apple and Google Play online stores.

"With holiday shopping at its peak, card controls can help consumers keep their spending in check," Heather Ellison, head of retail banking at OneWest, said in the release. "What's more, having a quick solution if a card goes missing can alleviate concerns about the possibility of an account being compromised."