Abstract: An apparatus for processing cards bearing machine readable data is provided that includes a housing, a hopper in the housing for storing and dispensing cards capable of bearing machine readable data, mounted in the housing are also a card input receiver for receiving a previously used card in the apparatus, a card reader for reading data on the previously used card, and a card writer for writing data onto the previously used card or a card from the hopper. The apparatus further includes mounted in the housing a card dispenser for dispensing at least one of the previously used card or a card from the hopper to a user, a card recycler for erasing a previously used card for reuse, a card pathway from the card recycler to the hopper, and a plurality of additional card pathways to provide for movement of the card being processed among the card input receiver, the card reader, the card writer, the card dispenser, and the card recycler.