Abstract: An issuer of pre-paid electronic debit cards contracts with an issuing bank for a main account compatible with an existing network of credit cards such as MasterCard or Visa, the main account being divided into sub-accounts. Upon pre-payment by a customer, the issuer issues to the customer a pre-paid electronic debit card, bearing the name of the issuer, for accessing one of the sub-accounts. The card can be issued in purely electronic form and is usable for electronic commerce as though it were the corresponding type of credit card. Purchases are billed to the main account. The customer can receive the card for personal use or send it to a third party, either as a gift or as payment for a purchase.