Patent ID: 7809643

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for creating a stored value card affiliated with a predetermined transaction network, an individual, and an issuer, the method comprising: publishing an offer to provide the stored value card over a computer network; receiving, by at least one computer processor, a request from the individual for the stored value card; creating, by at least one computer processor, in a computer database, an independent and separate stored value card account, wherein the independent stored value card account includes information about: a) a stored value account number; and b) an initial value amount, wherein the initial value amount comprises value usable for purchases of goods and services; loading the independent and separate stored value card account with the initial value amount by transferring funds associated with the initial value amount into the independent and separate stored value card account and storing the funds in the independent and separate stored value card account; marking the stored value card with an identifier associated with a cardholder and at least one of a transaction network identification indicia associated with the predetermined transaction network and an issuer identification indicia associated with the issuer; providing the stored value card to the cardholder; activating, by at least one computer processor, the independent and separate stored value card account upon notification to the issuer that the cardholder has received the stored value card, wherein the notification is received over the computer network; and reloading, by at least one computer processor, the stored value card upon receiving a reload request from one of: the cardholder; wherein the stored value card is capable of being used for purchases of goods and services wherever cards associated with the predetermined transaction network are accepted.