Abstract: A payment card processing system and method includes a computing device in communication with a multi-party payment processing system and network for processing payment card transactions. The computing device accepts a foreign currency deposit into a virtual foreign currency account linked to a cardholder account designated for payment in a home currency, receives payment card transaction data, identifies a foreign exchange transaction between the cardholder and a merchant designated for payment in a foreign currency, and applies at least a portion of the foreign currency deposit in the virtual foreign currency account to satisfy the payment for the transaction.

Abstract: A system and method of activating a payment card for use by a user are provided, wherein a processor associated with a network node is operated to: receive an indication of an identity of the payment card; associate the payment card identity with a first payment rule; receive registration information pertaining to the user; and responsive to determining that the registration information meets a predefined criterion, operating the processor to associate the payment card identity with a second payment rule different to the first payment rule.

Abstract: According to one aspect there is provided a prepaid currency card (PPCC) vending machine comprising: PPCC storage; an electronic point of sale terminal (POS) configured to take payment from a user and initiate transmission of a payment received message, said message comprising a payment identification code (PIC); a controller configured to receive said payment received message; a card identifier configured to read an identification code (ID) of a PPCC held in a position in PPCC storage which is next to be dispensed from; a PPCC dispenser configured to dispense a PPCC from said PPCC storage in response to receipt of a dispense command from said controller; and a transmitter configured to transmit said PIC together with said card ID to a card issuer server. According to a second aspect there is provided a method for issuing a PPCC from such a vending machine.

Abstract: A system and method of activating a payment card for use by a user are provided, wherein a processor associated with a network node is operated to: receive an indication of an identity of the payment card; associate the payment card identity with a first payment rule; receive registration information pertaining to the user; and responsive to determining that the registration information meets a predefined criterion, operating the processor to associate the payment card identity with a second payment rule different to the first payment rule.