Debit card transaction volumes have increased because a combination of technology and innovative entrepreneurs. And that has helped push the cash cards into parts of the payments universe where they have never been before.  

Now, a person can use their debit card to, for example, pay a professional like an accountant or therapist, pay a tradesman on site such as a plumber, contractor or tree removal firm, or buy fruit at a farmers market.

One leading firm exemplifying this new payments expansion is Square, a San Francisco-based company that has been revolutionizing the approach to payments with technology, design, customer service and pricing advances.