Having a bank account would normally means you get a card that could only withdraw money from an ATM. If you wanted a "debit" card that would cost more.

Credit card were something out of reach for many. Low income folks alternative for credit were to rely on general stores own credit bureau.

With the liberalization in the banking system and the many fintechs that disrupted the market, the unbanked number droped to a single digit in 2021, and with pix, many just skipped the debit card all together.

[1]: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1370626/access-to-financ...