Patent ID: 8622291

Claim:
A computerized method for real-time activating and issuing of stored-value cards over a communications network to cardholders, the method comprising: receiving, by a central processor, a stored-value card purchasing request received directly from a card purchaser via a respective communication gateway, and in response to receiving the card purchaser request; communicating in real-time, by a central processor, with an unaffiliated stored-value card processing network, such network including a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices; communicating in real-time with a potential or existing stored-value cardholder or card purchaser regarding the stored-value card; through the card processor, activating and issuing stored value card through the central processor to the cardholder over the Internet; and managing the stored-value card transaction through said unaffiliated network by said central processor.