Stored value cards and methods for their issuance

摘要

A method for issuing both a virtual card and a physical card to a cardholder comprises issuing a virtual card to a cardholder, with the virtual card comprising an identifier and an associated database record of a stored value. A physical card is also issued to the cardholder. The physical card includes an identifier that is different from the virtual card identifier, and the physical card is in an inactive state until the physical card is activated by linking of the physical card identifier to the database record of the stored value.