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Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card: The Agricultural Payment Solution Earning 2.75% Interest
July 1, 2025
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What Makes the Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card Different
The agricultural industry has historically relied on paper checks for 70% of grain settlements—a slow, fraud-prone system that costs farmers time and money. The Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card represents a fundamental shift in how agricultural producers manage cash flow, combining competitive interest earnings with agricultural-specific payment features.
Unlike traditional business debit cards, the Bushel card integrates directly with agricultural payment workflows through the Bushel Business Account, allowing farmers to receive grain settlements digitally, earn substantial interest on operating capital, and access funds anywhere Visa® is accepted.
Key differentiators:
- 2.75% interest on deposited funds (current rate as of December 15, 2025)
- FDIC insured up to $5 million through sweep program banks
- Zero monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements
- Agricultural-specific features like invoice management and settlement tracking
- Integration with the broader Bushel farm management ecosystem
The Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
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Interest Earnings: The 2.75% Advantage
The standout feature of the Bushel Business Account is its competitive interest rate. At 2.75% APY (as of December 15, 2025), it significantly outpaces traditional business checking accounts, which typically offer 0.01-0.5% interest.
Real-world impact:
- $50,000 grain settlement: Earns approximately $1,375 annually
- $100,000 operating balance: Generates roughly $2,750 per year
- $200,000 seasonal deposit: Could produce $5,500 in interest income
The interest rate is variable and may change at any time. Bushel is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services for the Bushel Business Account are provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
For context, the average farm operation carries $50,000-$200,000 in operating capital throughout the year. Traditional checking accounts with major agricultural banks typically offer minimal interest, meaning farmers leave substantial earnings on the table.
Fee Structure: No Hidden Costs
Agricultural banking often comes with frustrating fee structures—monthly maintenance charges, transaction limits, and per-check fees that add up quickly. The Bushel Business Account eliminates these pain points:
What you won't pay:
- $0 monthly maintenance fees
- $0 minimum balance requirements
- $0 fees for standard ACH transfers to linked accounts
- $0 for in-network ATM transactions
Potential fees to consider:
- Out-of-network ATM fees may apply (standard for most debit cards)
- Over-the-counter advance fees may apply per the account agreement
This transparent fee structure means your money works for you without the erosion of hidden charges common in traditional agricultural banking.
Agricultural Payment Integration
The Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card isn't just a standalone product—it's part of an integrated agricultural payment ecosystem designed specifically for the complexity of farm operations.
Payment workflow features:
- Digital grain settlements: Receive payments directly from elevators and buyers using Bushel
- Invoice management: Upload invoices and schedule payment due dates
- Multi-account linking: Connect up to six U.S. bank accounts for flexible cash flow management
- Real-time payment tracking: Monitor all transactions through the Bushel platform
- Mobile check deposit: Coming soon—deposit large settlement checks directly from your phone
These features address the $200 billion agricultural industry's challenge of moving away from paper checks, which the USPS has warned against due to increased fraud risks.
FDIC Insurance Coverage: Up to $5 Million Protection
Standard FDIC insurance covers $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category. The Bushel Business Account extends this protection significantly through its sweep program.
Coverage details:
- Base coverage: $250,000 through The Bancorp Bank, N.A.
- Extended coverage: Up to $5 million through sweep program banks
- Automatic: No additional action required from account holders
FDIC insurance only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. The standard FDIC deposit insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and its sweep program banks.
For agricultural operations managing substantial grain settlements—often $100,000-$500,000+ during harvest—this extended coverage provides crucial peace of mind that traditional checking accounts cannot match.
When Bushel Makes Sense vs. Credit Card Rewards
Many farmers wonder: "Should I use a debit card or credit card for farm expenses?" The answer depends on your specific situation.
Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card excels for:
- Holding grain settlement funds while earning interest
- Debt-free operations that prioritize interest earnings over rewards
- Managing cash flow between linked bank accounts
- Digital payment tracking for agricultural transactions
- Avoiding credit card debt on large input purchases
Credit cards are better for:
- Earning rewards on input purchases (feed, seed, fertilizer)
- Building business credit history
- Large equipment purchases with intro 0% APR financing
- Travel expenses with premium travel rewards
Comparing Bushel to Traditional Agricultural Banking
How does the Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card stack up against traditional agricultural banks and credit unions?
Interest rate comparison:
- Bushel Business Account: 2.75% APY
- Major agricultural banks: 0.01-0.25% APY typical
- Farm credit unions: 0.10-0.75% APY average
- High-yield savings accounts: 2.0-3.5% APY (but require transfers for access)
On a $100,000 average balance:
- Bushel: ~$2,750 annual interest
- Traditional ag bank (0.10%): ~$100 annual interest
- Difference: $2,650 per year
Feature comparison:
- Paper check processing: Traditional banks still excel at high-volume check processing
- Agricultural loans: Established farm lenders offer better loan products and ag-specific financing
- Digital payments: Bushel provides superior digital payment infrastructure
- Mobile banking: Comparable capabilities across platforms
Mobile Check Deposit: Coming Feature Analysis
One of the most anticipated features for the Bushel Business Account is high-limit mobile check deposit, specifically designed to accommodate large grain settlement checks.
Why this matters:
- Grain settlement checks often exceed $100,000
- Traditional mobile deposit limits: $5,000-$25,000 per check
- Trip to physical bank: Time-consuming and impractical during harvest
- Fraud risk: Mailing large checks poses security concerns
Expected benefit:When launched, farmers will be able to deposit six-figure grain settlement checks directly from their mobile devices, immediately beginning to earn 2.75% interest instead of waiting for mail delivery and bank processing.
This feature will eliminate one of the last remaining pain points in the transition from paper-based agricultural payments.
Security and Compliance
Agricultural operations handle substantial sums and face unique security challenges. The Bushel platform addresses these concerns through multiple layers of protection:
Security measures:
- SOC 2 Type II compliance: Regular third-party security audits
- PCI-certified networks: For all debit card transactions
- Bank-level encryption: Protects all financial data
- FDIC insurance: Up to $5 million coverage through sweep program
User controls:
- Real-time transaction monitoring through the Bushel app
- Instant card blocking capability for lost or stolen cards
- Multi-account linking reduces large balance exposure
- Digital record-keeping for all transactions
Bushel is one of the few agtech companies regularly audited against the SOC 2 Type II framework, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to safeguarding customer information.
Eligibility and Account Opening
Opening a Bushel Business Account is designed to be straightforward, though it requires some specific criteria:
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be a U.S.-based agricultural producer or agribusiness
- Valid U.S. business identification
- Willingness to connect with Bushel's payment network
Account opening process:
- Complete online application (typically 3-5 minutes)
- Verify business information
- Connect existing bank accounts (optional but recommended)
- Receive Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card by mail
- Activate card and begin using account features
The onboarding process can be completed entirely from a mobile device, eliminating the need for in-person bank visits that can be challenging during planting and harvest seasons.
Bottom Line: Is the Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card Right for Your Farm?
The Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card represents a significant evolution in agricultural financial management, but it's not the right solution for every operation.
You should consider Bushel if:
- You receive digital grain settlements or want to transition from paper checks
- You maintain significant operating capital in low-interest checking accounts
- You value agricultural-specific payment features and integrations
- You want to earn competitive interest while maintaining access to funds
- You're comfortable with digital-first banking solutions
Stick with traditional banking if:
- You require in-person banking services and relationship management
- You need agricultural lending products and farm credit services
- You process high volumes of paper checks from non-Bushel sources
- You prefer established agricultural banking institutions
The hybrid approach:Many successful agricultural operations use Bushel for grain settlements and operating capital (earning 2.75% interest) while maintaining relationships with traditional agricultural lenders for equipment financing and operating loans. Combine this with strategic credit card use for input purchases—to maximize both interest earnings and rewards.
Annual value calculation:For an operation maintaining $75,000 average balance:
- Bushel (2.75%): $2,063 annual interest
- Traditional bank (0.10%): $75 annual interest
- Net benefit: $1,988 annually
The Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card won't replace all your agricultural banking needs, but it can serve as a powerful tool for modernizing payment workflows while earning competitive returns on operating capital. As the agricultural industry continues its digital transformation, solutions like Bushel represent the future of farm financial management.
Note: Interest rates are variable and subject to change. All features and benefits described are current as of January 2026. For the most up-to-date information, visit bushelpowered.com/farmers/wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card a credit card or debit card?
The Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card is a debit card, not a credit card. It provides access to funds in your Bushel Business Account rather than extending credit. Purchases are deducted directly from your account balance.
How does the 2.75% interest rate compare to savings accounts?
The 2.75% APY (current as of December 15, 2025) is competitive with high-yield savings accounts, but with the added benefit of immediate access through your debit card. The interest rate is variable and may change at any time.
What is the FDIC insurance coverage?
Funds deposited into the Bushel Business Account are FDIC insured up to $5 million through sweep program banks. The standard FDIC insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, per ownership category through The Bancorp Bank, N.A. and its sweep program banks.
Can I use the Bushel card for regular farm expenses?
Yes, the Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card can be used anywhere Visa® is accepted, including for farm inputs, equipment, fuel, and other agricultural expenses.
Does Bushel charge monthly fees?
No, the Bushel Business Account has no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements. Out-of-network ATM fees and over-the-counter advance fees may apply.
How long does it take to receive payments from grain elevators?
Digital payments through the Bushel network can be instantaneous, eliminating the wait for paper checks. Once a grain buyer sends payment, funds are typically available in your Bushel Business Account within minutes to hours, depending on the transaction type.
Can I link my existing bank accounts?
Yes, you can link up to six U.S. bank accounts to your Bushel Business Account for flexible cash flow management. This allows you to transfer funds between accounts as needed.
Is Bushel available in all states?
The Bushel digital payment products are currently available only in the United States. Check with Bushel directly for any state-specific restrictions.
What happens if I lose my Bushel Gold Visa® Debit Card?
You can instantly block your card through the Bushel app or by contacting customer support. A replacement card can be ordered immediately.
Does using Bushel mean I have to leave my current bank?
No, many agricultural operations use Bushel alongside their existing banking relationships. You can link your current bank accounts and use Bushel for specific purposes like grain settlements while maintaining other banking services elsewhere.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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