Walgreens began offering a prepaid MasterCard this month as part of a larger financial services program integrated with its Balance Rewards loyalty program.The retailer is currently selling the Balance Financial Prepaid Mastercard for $2.95 at 250 locations in the Detroit, Milwaukee and Nashville, TN, markets; a national rollout is planned before year's end, according to a media release announcing the launch.Users initially activate the cards in a dedicated area of walgreens.com and can add funds to accounts at any Walgreens or Duane Reade store or by direct deposit. Accounts are also accessible through a dedicated mobile application and via in-store kiosks. The cards can be used anywhere a debit MasterCard is accepted. The monthly $2.95 service charge is waived if $1,000 is uploaded during any 30-day period."Millions of Americans do not have — or they want alternatives to — traditional checking accounts and debit cards," said Jason Dubinsky, Walgreens' vice president and treasurer, in the release. "For them, Balance Financial will represent safety, convenience, value and rewards."Cardholders who link their Balance Rewards accounts earn 10 points for every $1 spent using the card at Walgreens or Duane Reade, 100 points for every in-store reload, 1,000 points with the initial direct deposit and 250 points for each subsequent deposit. The Balance Financial card serves as the shopper's loyalty card.Additionally, cardholders receive no-fee ATM withdrawals at most Walgreens and Duane Reade stores. A bill-pay service is also available. Additional services are planned for 2014, according to the release, including Western Union money transfers.Balance Financial is a collaborative effort from Walgreens, MasterCard, Salt Lake City-based Galileo and Jacksonville, FL-based FIS. Walgreens promoted the Balance Financial card with Facebook updates, local radio spots and a feature in its November coupon book.