Patent Publication Number: US-2013254086-A1

Title: Gift card credit exchange

Description:
FIELD 
     In general, embodiments of the invention relate to commerce and, more particularly, various platforms for gift card exchange. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many retailers or service providers offer customers the option of purchasing gift cards of a predetermined value, which allow the customer or the individual to whom the gift card is gifted to subsequently purchase merchandise or services from the retailer or service provider named on the gift card using the gift card as the purchase vehicle. Gift cards serve the purpose of allowing the gift card recipient to purchase what he or she desires from the retailer or service provider as opposed to what the gift card giver believes that the gift card recipient may desire, thereby eliminating the need for the gift card recipient to exchange undesired merchandise. 
     While a gift card recipient (i.e., the giftee) benefits from being able to purchase merchandise or services that they desire, gift cards also pose many problems. In many instances individuals receive retailer-specific or service provider-specific gift cards from retailers or service providers which the gift card recipient does not prefer or does have a need for the merchandise or services provided by the retailer or service provider. In such instances, the gift card recipient is either forced to purchase merchandise or services which they do not desire or need, give the card away to someone who has a use for the merchandise or services provided by the retailer or service provider or, all too often, the gift card goes unused. 
     In other instances, once a gift card is used either the total value of the card will be applied to the purchase or if the purchase is for less than the value of the gift card a residual balance will remain on the card, which may be applied to subsequent purchases. In such instances in which a residual balance remains on the gift card, the gift card holder is not only burdened with keeping track of the card itself, but also the balance remaining on the card. Such a problem becomes exasperated when the gift holder possesses numerous gift cards from a retailer all of which have, at the least, some residual balance remaining. In this scenario, the gift card holder is forced to either keep the numerous gift cards in their possession (i.e., in their wallet or purse) for subsequent use or to remember and locate the numerous gift cards prior to visiting the retailer or service provider. All too often the gift card holder will refuse to keep in their possession numerous gift cards or forget to bring the numerous gift cards to the retailer for redemption. In addition, the gift card holder may be reluctant to redeem numerous cards during a transaction, in which some, if not all, of the gift cards have a trivial residual balance. 
     Therefore, a need exists to develop options for the gift card holder that will alleviate the problems mentioned above. Specifically, the desired invention should provide the gift card holder with other options in the event that the retailer or service provider associated with a gift card is undesirable or otherwise provides little or no benefit to the gift card holder. In addition, the desired invention should provide the gift card holder with options for overcoming problems related to residual balances remaining on gift cards, such as keeping track of gift cards with residual balances, keeping track of the actual residual balances, keeping track of and possessing numerous cards with residual balances and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     Embodiments of the present invention address the above needs and/or achieve other advantages by providing apparatus, methods, computer program products or the like for the exchange of gift card credit. In one embodiment of the invention, gift card holders are provided the ability to exchange gift card credit for financial institution account credit, such as checking, savings or credit card account credit. In such embodiments the retailers or service providers issuing the gift cards partner with the financial institution such that the retailer or service provider authorizes the financial institution to exchange the gift card credit for the financial institution credit. The retailer or service honors the balance remaining in the gift card by agreeing to transfer all or a portion of the value remaining to the financial institution and, in some embodiments, retailer or service provider receives an ancillary value from the financial institution and/or the gift card holders, for example customer-approved release of customer data or the like. 
     An apparatus for exchanging customer gift card credit for financial institution account credit defines first embodiments of the invention. The apparatus includes a computing platform including a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The apparatus further includes a gift card exchange application stored in the memory and executable by the processor. The application may accessible via a mobile banking application, an online banking website, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), a banking center or the like. 
     The application is configured to receive, from a financial institution customer, gift card information, such as gift card number and, where applicable gift card PIN, associated with one or more gift cards issued by a merchant and desired to be exchanged by the customer. The gift cards may be limited to gift cards having a residual balance up to a specified amount or a specified percentage of the full purchased amount or, in other embodiments, the gift cards may for the full purchased amount. The application is further configured to determine a balance amount remaining on the one or more gift cards based on the gift card information, identify at least one exchange rate for the balance amount remaining on the gift card, provide the customer one or more offers to exchange the balance amount for an exchange amount to be credited to a financial institution account, such that the exchange amount is based on the identified exchange rate, and in response to the customer accepting one of the offers, credit the financial institution account to reflect the exchange amount. 
     In specific embodiments of the apparatus, the gift card exchange application further comprises a gift card validation module configured to access a gift card validation network associated with the merchant issuing the gift card to determine the balance remaining on the one or more gift cards. In related embodiments, the gift card validation module is further configured to access the gift card validation network to validate that the customer is a rightful possessor of the gift card (i.e., the gift card holder is able to provide chain of ownership back to the gift card purchaser). 
     In other specific embodiments of the apparatus, the gift card exchange application is further configured to verify that the customer is affiliated with the financial institution account, such that the customer is the named party on the account or otherwise authorized to deposit funds into the account. 
     In additional specific embodiments, the gift card exchange application is further configured to identify an exchange rate, wherein the exchange rate is set based on a predetermined agreement between a gift card exchanging entity and the merchant. For example, the exchange rate may be a one-to-one exchange rate (i.e., the gift card holder can exchange the current balance in the card for the same amount of financial institution account credit) or a less than one-to-one exchange rate (i.e., the gift card holder can exchange the current balance in the card for a lessor amount of financial institution account credit). 
     In other specific embodiments of the apparatus, the gift card exchange application is further configured to identify an exchange rate based on the balance remaining on the gift card in comparison to an initial gift card amount. For example if the balance remaining on the gift card is the full purchased amount the exchange rate may be more or less than the exchange rate if the balance on the card is a residual balance (and the exchange rate may vary depending on the amount or percentage of full amount of residual balance that remains on the gift card). 
     In other related embodiments of the apparatus, the gift card exchange application is further configured to identify more than one exchange rate. For example, each exchange rate may associated with a different type of financial institution account (e.g., a first exchange rate if the customer desires to exchange for savings or checking account credit and a second exchange rate if the customer desires to exchange for credit card account credit). In such embodiments of the apparatus, the gift card exchange application is further configured to provide the financial institution customer more than one offer to exchange the balance amount in the gift cards for the exchange amount, such that each offer is associated with a different type of financial institution account. 
     A method for a financial institution to provide exchange of customer gift card credit for financial institution account credit defines second embodiments of the invention. The method includes receiving, from a financial institution customer, gift card information, such as gift card number and, optionally a PIN, associated with one or more gift cards issued by a merchant and desired to be exchanged by the customer. The method further includes determining a balance amount remaining on the one or more gift cards based on the gift card information and identifying at least one exchange rate for the balance amount remaining on the gift card. The method further includes providing the customer one or more offers to exchange the balance amount for an exchange amount to be credited to a financial institution account, such that the exchange amount is based on one of the identified exchange rate. In addition, the method includes, in response to the customer accepting one of the offers, crediting the financial institution account to reflect the exchange amount. 
     A computer program product defines third embodiments of the invention. The computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions. The instructions to cause a computer to implement the steps of (1) receiving, from a financial institution customer, gift card information associated with one or more gift cards issued by a merchant, (2) determining a balance amount remaining on the one or more gift cards based on the gift card information, (3) identifying at least one exchange rate for the balance amount remaining on the gift card, (4) providing the customer one or more offers to exchange the balance amount for an exchange amount to be credited to a financial institution account, wherein the exchange amount is based on one of the exchange rates and (5) in response to the customer accepting one of the offers, crediting the financial institution account to reflect the exchange amount. 
     Thus, systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products herein described in detail below provide for gift card exchange. In certain embodiments either the full gift card amount or a residual balance amount may be exchanged for financial institution account credit, such as savings, checking, credit account credit. By providing for various means of gift card exchange the present invention alleviates the problem of undesired gift cards (i.e., gift cards from merchants that the recipient does not prefer). Moreover, by providing for exchange of residual balances, the present invention eliminates the problem related to unknown residual gift card balances, keeping track and possession of multiple gift cards with minimal residual balances and the like. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more embodiments comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more embodiments. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various embodiments may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such embodiments and their equivalents. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  provides a block diagram illustrating an apparatus configured for gift card exchange for financial institution account credit, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  provides a more detailed block diagram of an apparatus configured for gift card exchange for financial institution account credit, in accordance with present embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  provides a block diagram illustrating an apparatus configured for providing a marketplace for gift card exchange, in accordance with present embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  provides a more detailed block diagram of an apparatus configured for providing a marketplace for gift card exchange, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  provides a flow diagram of a method for gift card exchange for financial institution account, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  provides a flow diagram of a method for conducting a gift card exchange in gift card marketplace, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Although some embodiments of the invention described herein are generally described as involving a “financial institution,” one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be utilized by other businesses that take the place of or work in conjunction with financial institutions to perform one or more of the processes or steps described herein as being performed by a financial institution. 
     As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure, the present invention may be embodied as an apparatus (e.g., a system, computer program product, and/or other device), a method, or a combination of the foregoing. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may generally be referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product comprising a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code/computer-readable instructions embodied in the medium. 
     Any suitable computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be utilized. The computer usable or computer readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (e.g., a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires; a tangible medium such as a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a time-dependent access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other tangible optical or magnetic storage device. 
     Computer program code/computer-readable instructions for carrying out operations of embodiments of the present invention may be written in an object oriented, scripted or unscripted programming language such as Java, Perl, Smalltalk, C++ or the like. However, the computer program code/computer-readable instructions for carrying out operations of the invention may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods or apparatuses (the term “apparatus” including systems and computer program products). It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particular machine, such that the instructions, which execute by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create mechanisms for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions, which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. Alternatively, computer program implemented steps or acts may be combined with operator or human implemented steps or acts in order to carry out an embodiment of the invention. 
     According to embodiments of the invention described herein, various systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products are herein described for gift card exchange. In certain embodiments either the full issued gift card amount or a residual balance amount (i.e., a balance amount remaining on a gift card after one or more purchases have been made with the card) may be exchanged. 
     In specific embodiments of the invention, gift card holders are provided the ability to exchange gift card credit for financial institution account credit, such as checking, savings or credit card account credit. In such embodiments the retailers or service providers issuing the gift cards partner with the financial institution such that the retailer or service provider authorizes the financial institution to exchange the gift card credit for the financial institution credit. In transferring the gift card balance amount to the financial institution, the retailer or service partner is compensated or otherwise provide something of value from the financial institution and/or the gift card holders, for example, the retailer or service may be credited a portion, and in some instances all, of the balance remaining in the gift card or the retailer may be compensated in a non-financial manner, such as access to personal or demographic customer data, typically upon approval of the customer. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, a gift card exchange marketplace is created whereby gift card holders can exchange their undesired gift cards for other desired gift cards. In specific embodiments, the gift cards in the marketplace are valued based on their current balance and their supply and demand in the exchange marketplace, such that more readily available gift cards are provided less value in the marketplace while more readily desirable are provided more value. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  a block diagram is depicted of an apparatus  10  configured to provide exchange of gift card credit for financial institution account credit, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus  10  includes a computing platform  12  having a memory  16  and a processor  14  in communication with the memory  16 . Apparatus  10 , as defined herein may include more than one computing device, such as multiple servers, data storage devices and the like. 
     Memory  16  of apparatus  10  stores gift card exchange application  18 , which is configured to provide gift card balance exchange for financial institution account credit, such as checking/Demand Deposit Account (DDA), savings, credit account credit or the like. The gift card exchange application  18  may be accessible to financial institution customer, or in some embodiments, non-customers, through a financial institution platform, such as online banking, mobile banking, an Automated Teller Machine, a call center, a banking center or the like. In other embodiments of the invention the gift card exchange application may be a stand-alone application accessible to financial institution customers or non-customers outside of a financial institution platform, such as a stand-alone Internet website or the like. In those embodiments in which the financial institution customer is a non-customer, the non-customer may be required to open a financial institution account in conjunction with exchanging the gift card balance. 
     The gift card exchange application  18  is configured to receive gift card information from a user (e.g., a financial institution customer or, in some embodiments, a non-customer). The gift card information, which may include the gift card number and, in some embodiments the gift card Personal Identification Number (PIN), may be associated with a single gift card or multiple gift cards. As previously noted the financial institution customer (i.e., gift card holder) may in possession of multiple gift cards which they desire to exchange for financial institution credit, for example, the financial institution customer may have multiple cards from the same retailer/merchant all of which have some residual balance remaining on the card. 
     The gift card exchange application  18  is further configured to determine or verify the balance amount remaining on the one or more gift cards based on the gift card information. In this regard, the gift card exchange application  18  may be configured to access the gift card verification network associated with the card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider to determine the outstanding balance on the gift card. In this regard it is not necessary for the financial institution customer/gift card holder to know what the balance is on the card and/or to input the balance when requesting an exchange, since the gift card exchange application  18  will be required to determine/verify the balance amount remaining on the gift card prior to providing the financial institution customer gift card exchange offers. 
     In specific embodiments of the invention, the balance amount remaining on the gift card(s) may determine whether exchange of the balance amount for financial institution credit is possible. For example, the financial institution and/or the gift card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider may limit gift card balance exchange to balance amounts at or below a certain predetermined threshold, balance amount percentage in comparison to the full gift card amount at or below a certain predetermined threshold or the like. In other embodiments of the invention, the financial institution and/or the gift card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider may allow for exchange of any gift card balance including in some embodiments the full gift card amount (i.e., the amount the card was issued for). 
     Further, the gift card exchange application  18  is configured to identify one or more exchange rates for the balance remaining on the gift card(s). As described in greater detail infra. the exchange rate may be defined by the gift card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider, the financial institution or a combination of both. In this regard, the exchange rate may be based on (1) which merchant/retailer/service provider issued the gift card, (2) the balance remaining on the gift cards (i.e., higher or lower exchange rates may be applied based on the amount of the balance remaining or the percentage of the balance remaining in comparison to the full amount), (3) the type of financial institution to which the credit will issued (e.g., higher exchange rate for savings account credit, lower exchange rate for credit card account credit or the like) or the like. In specific embodiments the exchange rate may be one-to-one (1:1), such that the financial institution customer/gift card holder is provided financial institution account credit that is equal to the balance remaining on the gift card(s). In other specific embodiments the exchange rate is less than one-to-one (1:1). 
     In addition, gift card exchange application  18  is configured to provide the financial institution customer one or more offers to exchange the balance amount for an exchange amount to be credited to a financial institution account. The exchange amount in the offers is based on the balance amount remaining on the gift card(s) and the identified exchange rate(s). While in many embodiments only one offer will be presented to the financial institution customer, in other embodiments more than one offer is provided, for example, different offers having different exchange amounts based on different exchange rates associated with different financial institution accounts. For example, as described above, one offer may be associated with crediting a savings account and another offer may be associated with crediting a credit card account and the two offers have different exchange amounts due to the difference in exchange rates associated with the different financial institution accounts. 
     Lastly, the gift card exchange application  19  is configured, in response to a financial institution customer accepting one of the offers, to automatically credit the financial institution account associated with the selected offer, such that the crediting reflects the exchange amount in the offer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  a more detailed block diagram is presented of an apparatus configured to provide exchange of gift card credit for financial institution account credit, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In addition to providing greater detail,  FIG. 2  highlights various alternate embodiments of the apparatus. The apparatus  10  may include any type and/or combination of one or more computing devices, such as a server, storage device or the like. The computer platform  12  is operable to receive and execute modules, routines and applications, such as gift card exchange application  18 , gift card validation module  30  and gift card holder/customer validation module  40  and the like. 
     Computer platform  12  includes memory  16 , which may comprise volatile and nonvolatile memory such as read-only and/or random-access memory (RAM and ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, flash cards, or any memory common to computer platforms. Further, memory  16  may include one or more flash memory cells, or may be any secondary or tertiary storage device, such as magnetic media, optical media, tape, or soft or hard disk. 
     Further, computer platform  12  also includes processor  14 , which may be an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or other chipset, processor, logic circuit, or other data processing device. Processor  14  or other processor such as ASIC may execute an application programming interface (“API”) layer (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) that interfaces with any resident programs, such as gift card exchange application  18 , gift card validation module  30  and gift card holder/customer validation module  40  or the like, stored in the memory  16  of apparatus  10 . Processor  14  includes various processing subsystems (not Shown in  FIG. 2 ) embodied in hardware, firmware, software, and combinations thereof, that enable the functionality of apparatus  10  and the operability of the apparatus on a network. For example, processing subsystems allow for initiating and maintaining communications, and exchanging data, with other networked devices. Additionally, processing subsystems may include the functionality of gift card exchange application  18 , gift card validation module  30  and gift card holder/customer validation module  40  obviating the need for such applications and modules to be stored in the memory. 
     As previously described in relation to  FIG. 1 , memory  16  stores gift card exchange application  18  that is configured to exchange gift card balances for financial institution account credit, such as checking/Demand Deposit Account (DDA), savings, credit account credit or the like. Merchants, retailers, service providers or the like that issue gift cards will have previously agreed to participate in a program whereby they have agreed to allow for balances on their gift cards to be converted to financial institution credit. Such tacit agreement to participate in the program is necessary since the balance remaining on the gift cards needs to be transferred to the financial institution upon exchange of gift card balance. Thus, when the financial institution customer/gift card holder accesses the application, the financial institution customer/gift card holder is presented with a listing of the merchants, retailers or service providers participating in the program to determine if the gift cards the possess are eligible for exchange. 
     In optional embodiments the memory  16  of apparatus  10  may store gift card holder/customer validation module  50  that is configured to validate the financial institution customer/gift card holder  52  as being associated with at least one financial institution account  24 . Association with a financial institution account may include the gift card holder  52  being the named individual or party on the account  24  or otherwise authorized to make deposits into the account  24 . The card holder/customer validation module  40  may be configured as the financial institution customer authorization for online or mobile banking, ATM authorization or some other user authorization/validation which serves to associate the financial institution customer with financial institution accounts. The gift card holder/customer validation module  40  may be implemented prior to providing the financial institution customer/gift card holder  52  access to the gift card exchange application  18  or at any point during the exchange prior to crediting the financial account  24  with the exchange amount. 
     The gift card exchange application  18  is configured to receive, from a financial institution customer (i.e., a gift card holder), gift card information  22  associated with one or more gift cards  20 . The gift card information  22  may include the gift card number  24  and, in some embodiments, the gift card Personal Identification Number (PIN)  26 , as well as any other information necessary to confirm the credit balance on the gift card. 
     The memory  16  of apparatus  10  additionally stores gift card validation module  30  which is configured to determine or verify the balance amount remaining on the one or more gift cards being requested for exchange based on the gift card information. In this regard the gift card validation module  30  is configured to access the various gift card verification networks (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) associated with the card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider to determine the gift card balance  32  and, in some embodiments, verify that the financial institution customer/gift card holder is the rightful possessor  34  of the gift card. Such verification may be implemented by providing the gift card information  22 , such as the gift card number  24  and the gift card PIN  26  to the gift card verification network to validate the gift card balance  32  and rightful possession  34  of the gift card  34 . In addition to validating gift card balance  32  and rightful possession  34 , communication with the gift card verification network may additional provide for placing a temporary hold on the use of the gift card balance while the financial institution customer is contemplating exchanging the card for gift card credit, so as to prevent simultaneous use and exchange of the gift card balance. 
     The gift card exchange application  18  is additionally in communication with exchange rate rules database  40  which stores merchant exchange rate rules  32  for the various merchants. Once the gift card exchange application  18  has determined/verified gift card balance, the application  18  identifies one or more exchange rates  42  for the balance amount remaining on the gift card(s). The exchange rate may be defined by exchange rate rules  42  associated with the gift card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider  44 , the financial institution  46  or a combination of both. For example, each gift card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider  44  may define an exchange rate or the rules for exchange rates  42  or, in other embodiments, the financial institution  46  may define an exchange rate or the rules for exchange rates  42 . In instance in which both the merchant  44  and financial institution  46  have defined exchange rate rules  42  a predetermined rules priority may be defined for determining which exchange rate rules apply. 
     As previously noted exchange rate rules  42  may define a predetermined specific exchange rate for each merchant  44  participating in the program. In other instances each merchant  44  or the financial institution  46  may define rules  42  based on the balance remaining on the gift cards (i.e., higher or lower exchange rates may be applied based on the amount of the balance remaining or the percentage of the balance remaining in comparison to the full amount). In other instances, the financial institution  46  may define rules  42  based the type of financial institution to which the credit will issued (e.g., higher exchange rate for savings account credit, lower exchange rate for credit card account credit or the like) or the like. 
     Once the gift card exchange rate(s) has been identified it is applied to the gift card balance  32  to provide for one or more gift card exchange offers  60  to exchange the balance amount  32  for an exchange amount  62  to be credited to a financial institution account  24 . As previously noted, while in many embodiments only one offer  60  will be presented to the financial institution customer, in other embodiments more than one offer  60  is provided, for example, different offers  60  having different exchange amounts  62  based on different exchange rates associated with different financial institution accounts 24. For example, as described above, one offer  60  may be associated with crediting a savings account and another offer  60  may be associated with crediting a credit card account and the two offers have different exchange amounts due to the difference in exchange rates associated with the different financial institution accounts 24. 
     The gift card exchange application  19  is additionally configured, in response to a financial institution customer/gift card holder  42  accepting one of the offers  60 , to automatically credit the financial institution account  24  associated with the selected offer  60 , such that the crediting reflects the account credit amount  62  in the offer  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  a block diagram is depicted of an apparatus  100  configured for providing a marketplace for gift card exchange, in accordance with alternate embodiments of the present invention. As previously noted, the marketplace concept allows gift card holders to exchange their undesired gift cards for other gift cards existing in the virtual marketplace. The apparatus  100  includes a computing platform  102  having a memory  106  and a processor  104  in communication with the memory  106 . Apparatus  100 , as defined herein may include more than one computing device, such as multiple servers, data storage devices and the like. 
     Memory  106  of apparatus  100  stores gift card exchange marketplace application  108 , which is configured to provide a marketplace for gift card exchange. The gift card exchange marketplace application  18  may be accessible may be configured to be an Internet-based application that is accessible to all gift card holders or a certain predetermined segment of gift card holders, such as those gift card holders that customers of a specific financial institution or the like. 
     The gift card exchange marketplace application  108  is configured to receive a request from a gift card holder to exchange at least one gift card issued by a first merchant or service provider. The request to exchange the gift card(s) includes gift card information, such as the gift card number and, in some embodiments the gift card Personal Identification Number (PIN). 
     The gift card exchange marketplace application  108  is further configured to determine or verify the balance amount remaining on the one or more gift cards based on the gift card information. In this regard, the gift card exchange application  18  may be configured to access the gift card verification network associated with the card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider to determine the outstanding balance on the gift card. In this regard it is not necessary for the financial institution customer/gift card holder to know what the balance is on the card and/or to input the balance when requesting an exchange, since the gift card exchange marketplace application  108  will be required to determine/verify the balance amount remaining on the gift card prior to providing the financial institution customer gift card exchange options. 
     Further, the gift card exchange marketplace application  108  is further configured to determine one or more gift card exchange options for the gift card holder. Each gift card exchange option includes at least one available gift card issued by a merchant other than the merchant that issued the card currently held by the gift card holder and the balance amount remaining on the available gift card. The gift card exchange options are determined based on the balance verified in the gift card(s) requested for exchange and an exchange rate between the gift card(s) requested for exchange and the gift card(s) in the exchange option. In specific embodiments of the invention, the exchange rate may be a one-to-one (1:1) exchange rate in which the balance verified in the gift cards(s) requested for exchange is equal in amount to the gift cards in the exchange option. However, in other embodiments of the invention, supply and demand of specific gift card(s), as defined by the issuing entity, may dictate a dynamic exchange rate that fluctuates depending on the current supply of gift cards available in the marketplace from a specific card-issuing retailer/service provider and/or the current demand for gift cards in the marketplace from a specific card-issuing retailer/service provider. 
     The gift card exchange marketplace application  108  is further configured to receive a selection, from the gift card holder, of one of the gift card exchange options. In response to receiving the selection, the marketplace application  108  is further configured validate that the balance amount in the gift card(s) included in the selected option is currently available and the same balance as purported in the exchange offer. The virtual nature of the marketplace means that gift card holders that exchange their gift cards into the marketplace may still possess or have knowledge of the information associated with their exchanged gift cards. Such gift card information, for example, the gift card number and PIN, allows the gift card holder to redeem the gift card even though they have exchanged the gift card in the marketplace. Thus, the marketplace must validate that the balance amount on the gift card(s) in the selected exchange option is currently available and is the same amount as in the gift card exchange option. In this regard, the gift card exchange marketplace application  108  may be configured to access the gift card verification network associated with the card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider to determine the outstanding balance on the gift card(s) in the selected exchange option. The validation of the gift cards(s) in the selected exchange option is shown and described as occurring after the selection of the exchange option to provide the best assurance of the current balance in those gift cards. However, it is also possible and within the inventive concepts herein disclosed to validate the current available amount in the gift cards prior to, or as part of, determining the one or more gift card exchange options. 
     Lastly, the gift card exchange marketplace application is configured to retain redemption rights in the exchanged gift card(s) and communicate to the gift card holder the information associated with the gift card(s) in the selected option, such that the information communicated, such as the gift card number and PIN, allows the gift holder to redeem the gift card(s) in the selected option. Further, the gift card(s) which the gift holder exchanged are placed into the marketplace for subsequent gift card exchange options for other gift card holders requesting exchange. 
     Turning the reader&#39;s attention to  FIG. 4  a more detailed block diagram is presented of an apparatus configured to provide a marketplace for gift card exchange, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In addition to providing greater detail,  FIG. 4  highlights various alternate embodiments of the apparatus. The apparatus  100  may include any type and/or combination of one or more computing devices, such as a server, storage device or the like. The computer platform  102  is operable to receive and execute modules, routines and applications, such as gift card exchange marketplace application  18 , gift card validation module  130  and exchange rate routine  170  and the like. 
     Computer platform  102  includes memory  106 , which may comprise volatile and nonvolatile memory such as read-only and/or random-access memory (RAM and ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, flash cards, or any memory common to computer platforms. Further, memory  106  may include one or more flash memory cells, or may be any secondary or tertiary storage device, such as magnetic media, optical media, tape, or soft or hard disk. 
     Further, computer platform  102  also includes processor  104 , which may be an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or other chipset, processor, logic circuit, or other data processing device. Processor  104  or other processor such as ASIC may execute an application programming interface (“API”) layer (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) that interfaces with any resident programs, such as gift card exchange marketplace application  108 , gift card validation module  130  and exchange rate routine  170  or the like, stored in the memory  106  of apparatus  100 . Processor  104  includes various processing subsystems (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) embodied in hardware, firmware, software, and combinations thereof, that enable the functionality of apparatus  100  and the operability of the apparatus on a network. For example, processing subsystems allow for initiating and maintaining communications, and exchanging data, with other networked devices. Additionally, processing subsystems may include the functionality of gift card exchange marketplace application  108 , gift card validation module  130  and exchange rate routine  170  obviating the need for such applications and modules to be stored in the memory. 
     As previously described in relation to  FIG. 3 , memory  106  stores gift card exchange marketplace application  108  that is configured to provide gift card holders the ability to exchange one gift card(s) for another gift card(s). 
     The gift card exchange marketplace application  108  is configured to receive, from a gift card holder, a gift card exchange request  110  to exchange at least one first gift card  112  issued by a first merchant or service provider. The request includes gift card information  114  associated with one or more first gift cards  112 . The gift card information  114  may include the gift card number  116  and, in some embodiments, the gift card Personal Identification Number (PIN)  118 , as well as any other information necessary to confirm the credit balance on the gift card. 
     The memory  106  of apparatus  100  additionally stores gift card validation module  130  which is configured to determine or verify the balance amount  132  remaining on the one or more first gift cards  112 . In this regard the gift card validation module  130  is configured to access the various gift card verification networks (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) associated with the card issuing merchant/retailer or service provider to determine the gift card balance  132  and, in some embodiments, verify that the financial institution customer/gift card holder is the rightful possessor  134  of the gift card. Such verification may be implemented by providing the gift card information  114 , such as the gift card number  116  and the gift card PIN  118  to the gift card verification network to validate the first gift card balance  132  and rightful possession  134  of the first gift card  112 . 
     In optional embodiments, the gift card exchange marketplace application  18  is configured to receive exchange option filter criteria  140 . The filter criteria is used to by the marketplace application  108  to provide the gift card holder with exchange options  150  that may be of interest to the gift card holder. In certain embodiments of the invention the filter criteria  140  may include the current location  142  of the gift card holder. The current location  142  may be inputted into the application by the gift card holder or the current location may be automatically determined by a location-determining device (not shown in  FIG. 4 ), such as a GPS device or the like, which may be included in the device accessing the marketplace application  108 , such as a mobile device or the like. The current location  142  of the gift card holder provides for gift card exchange options  150  to be presented to the card holder in which the gift card issuer associated with the gift cards in the exchange option  150  are currently close in physical proximity to the gift card holder. In specific embodiments, the gift card exchange options may be presented in ranked in order of the closest in proximity gift issuer. In other embodiments of the invention the exchange option filter criteria  140  may be gift card holder-defined and include, but is not limited to, a specific merchant/service provider  144 , a specific merchant type  146 , best exchange rate  148  or any other filter criteria which serves to provide the gift card holder with exchange options  150  that may be of interest. 
     The gift card exchange marketplace application  108  is further configured to determine and present one or more gift card exchange options  150  for the gift card holder. Each option includes one or more second gift cards  152  issued by a second merchant or service provider (different from the first merchant) and a balance remaining  154  on the second gift card(s). The options are determined based on the balance remaining  132  in the first gift card(s)  112 , an exchange rate  156  between the first  112  and second gift card(s)  152  and, optionally, the exchange option filter criteria  140 . 
     As such, the memory  106  of apparatus  100  stores exchange rate database  160  which is configured to store one or more exchange rate rules  162  used to determine exchange rate  156 . The exchange rate rules  162  may be marketplace entity-defined rules, merchant/service provider-defined rules, gift card holder-defined rules or a combination thereof. In specific embodiments of the invention, the memory  106  of apparatus  100  may store exchange rate routine  170  that is configured to determine a dynamic exchange rate  172  based on the current supply and/or demand of the first gift cards and the second gift cards within the marketplace. 
     The gift card exchange application  19  is additionally configured to receive a selection of a gift card exchange option  152  from the gift card holder and, in response to receiving the selection, validate/determine the current balance  134  on the second gift cards  152  in the selected option. As previously noted, validation of the current balance  134  on the second gift cards  152  at the time of exchange is necessary to ensure that the balance at the time of a previous exchange is the same as the current balance (i.e., that the previous exchanger has not redeemed the balance). Additionally, as previously noted validation of validation of the current balance  134  on the second gift cards  152  may occur during the determination of the exchange options  150  or prior to presenting the exchange options  150  to the gift card holder. 
     In response to validating the second gift card(s), redemption rights in the first gift card(s) are retained to the marketplace and second gift card information  180 , such as gift card number and PIN, is communicated to the gift card holder. The gift card information  180  empowers the gift card holder with the ability to redeem the balance remaining  134  on the second gift card  152 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a flow diagram of a method  500  for exchanging gift card credit for financial institution account credit, according to embodiments of the present invention. At Event  510 , gift card information is received from a financial institution customer. The gift card information is associated with one or more gift cards issued by one or more merchants. The gift card information, which may include a gift card number and a gift card PIN may be received at any financial institution platform capable of gift card exchange, including but not limited to, a mobile bank application, an online banking application, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), a call center, a manually at a banking center or the like. Prior to receiving the gift card information the customer may be authenticated to verify that the customer is associated with or otherwise authorized to make deposits into one or more financial accounts at the financial institution. 
     At Event  520 , a balance amount remaining on the one or more gift cards is determined based on the gift card information. In this regard, the financial institution communicates with the gift card validation network associated with the gift card issuer and provides the gift card number and, optionally the PIN to determine the remaining balance on the gift cards. 
     At Event  530 , at least one exchange rate is identified for the balance remaining on the gift card. In specific embodiments the exchange rate may be based on an agreement between the merchant issuing the gift card and the financial institution. For example, in certain embodiments, the exchange rate may be one-to-one (1:1) allowing for the gift card holder to exchange the entire gift balance for the equivalent financial institution account credit, while in other embodiments the exchange rate may be less than one-to-one (1:1). In certain embodiments of the invention the exchange rate may vary depending on the balancing remaining on the gift cards, in terms of actual balance or the percentage remaining in comparison to the full issued gift card amount. In still further embodiments of the method, the exchange may vary depending on the type of financial institution account to which the gift holder desires account credit or the type of financial account to which the financial institution is willing to provide credit. For example, credit to a savings account may have a higher exchange rate than credit to a credit card account or the like. 
     At Event  540 , the gift card holder is provided one or more offers to exchange the balance amount for an exchange amount to be credited to a financial institution account. The exchange amount is based applying the identified exchange rate to the balance amount remaining on the gift card(s). In most instances, in which only one exchange rate is applicable to the gift card exchange, the customer is provided one offer to exchange the remaining balance for financial institution account credit. However, in other instances more than one offer may be provided; for example, if the type of financial institution account to which the credit is applied varies in terms of exchange rate, more than one offer may be provided. 
     At Event  550 , in response to the customer accepting one of the offers, the financial institution account associated with the offer is credited to reflect the exchange amount in the offer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  a flow diagram is presented of a method  600  for providing a marketplace for gift card exchange, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As previously noted the marketplace may be provided as an inclusive Internet-based application/service, accessible to all gift card holders, or it may be provided as an exclusive Internet-based or Intranet-based application/service, accessible to only a portion of gift card holders, for example financial institution customers. 
     At Event  610  a request or inquiry is received from a gift card holder to exchange at least one first gift card issued by a merchant or service provider. The gift card information includes a gift card number and, optionally, a gift card PIN. 
     At Event  620 , a balance amount remaining on the first gift card(s) is determined based on the gift card information. In this regard, the financial institution communicates with the gift card validation network associated with the gift card issuer and provides the gift card number and, optionally, the gift card PIN to determine the remaining balance on the gift cards. It should be noted that while the marketplace providing entity and card issuer need not be in agreement/relationship concerning the exchange of cards, the marketplace providing entity at least needs to be communication with the gift card validation network in order to validate/determine current gift card balances. 
     At Event  630 , one or more gift card exchange options are determined and provided to the gift card holder. The gift card exchange options include at least one available second gift issued by a second merchant and a balance amount remaining on the second gift card(s). The exchange options are determined based on the balance remaining on the first gift card(s) and an exchange rate between the first and second gift cards. The exchange may provide for a one-to-one (1:1) exchange rate whereby the balance amount remaining on the second gift card is equivalent, or nearly equivalent, to the current balance remaining on the first gift cards(s). While in other embodiments the exchange rate be less than or greater than one-to-one (1:1). In such embodiments in which the exchange rate is less than or greater than one-to-one (1:1) the exchange rate may be dynamically determined based on the supply and demand for the first and second gift cards. Additionally, it is feasible to configure the exchange offers to include a payment amount in the event the second gift card(s) are valued above the first gift card(s) or a rebate amount (which may be configured as a cash payout or financial institution credit) in the event the second gift card(s) are valued less than the first gift card(s). 
     In alternate embodiments of the method, prior to providing the gift card holder the exchange options, the options may be filtered such that only those options that meet the filter criteria are presented to the gift card holder or the options are presented in an order which reflects the most criteria met. For example, the exchange options may be filtered based on the current location of the gift card holder, such that the exchange options that are closest in proximity to the gift card holder are presented first. The current location of the gift card holder may be manually inputted by the gift card holder or automatically determined by location-determining means, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) or the like. In other instances, the gift card holder may define the filter criteria, such as specific merchant, a merchant type, product type, best exchange rate or the like. In such instances the exchange options presented may be those that meet the criteria or are presented in ranked ordered according to criteria met. 
     At Event  640 , a selection of one of the gift card exchange options is received from the gift card holder. At Event  650 , in response to receiving the selection, a balance amount remaining on the second gift card(s) is validated/determined. In this regard, the financial institution communicates with the gift card validation network associated with the second gift card issuer and provides the gift card number and, optionally, the gift card PIN to determine the remaining balance on the second gift cards. Second gift card validation is shown as occurring after the gift card holder selects an option to insure that the balance remaining on the second gift card is equivalent to the balance in the offer. However, in other embodiments, second gift validation may occur prior to determining and providing the gift card exchange options to the gift card holder. As previously noted second gift card validation is necessary to insure that the gift card holder that placed the second gift cards in the marketplace has not redeemed the credit after exchanging the second gift cards to the marketplace. 
     At Event  660 , in response to validating the balance amount on the second gift cards, redemption rights in the first gift card(s) are retained and gift card information associated with the second gift cards (e.g., gift card number(s) and, optionally PIN(s)) are communicated to the gift card holder. The communication of the second gift card information allows the gift card holder to redeem the second gift card(s) at his or her discretion. 
     Thus, systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products described above provide for gift card exchange. In certain embodiments either the full gift card amount or a residual balance amount may be exchanged. In specific embodiments, gift card amounts are exchanged for financial institution account credit, such as savings, checking, credit account credit or the like. In other specific embodiments, a gift card exchange marketplace may exist to allow gift card exchange amongst gift card holders. By providing for various different means of gift card exchange the present invention alleviates the problem of undesired gift cards (i.e., gift cards from merchants that the recipient does not prefer). In addition, by providing for exchange of residual balances, the present invention eliminates the problem related to unknown residual gift card balances, keeping track and possession of multiple gift cards with minimal residual balances and the like. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. 
     Those skilled in the art may appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.