First, credit and debit cards allowed shoppers to leave their cash at home. Now, the next generation of credit and debit cards is allowing shoppers to make purchases without wallets and purses.

SURVEY Would you use a credit card small enough to fit on your key ring? Yes. What a great idea. Yes. But I'd be overly careful with it. No. It's an invitation for thieves. No. I'd worry about losing it. Results  |  Disclaimer

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Bank of America is offering a mini card to new and existing credit card customers. Half the size of a regular card, it's small enough to fit on a key ring. That means no more searching for credit cards in your wallet or purse while doing your holiday shopping this season.

The idea came from a Bank of America employee who was inspired while fumbling through her purse for her card to make a purchase. She realized it would be more convenient to have her card on her key ring.

Available exclusively through Bank of America, the Visa-branded mini card works on the largest payment platform in the world and offers the same safeguards as regular cards -- including the bank's zero liability policy for unauthorized use of lost or stolen cards. The card is being offered as a companion to full-sized credit and debit cards that share the same number.