US20050082364A1 - Systems and methods for banking transactions using a stored-value card - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods for banking transactions use a kiosk to perform financial services. The kiosk dispenses a stored-value card. The kiosk determines a stored-value account related to a stored-value card for a user. The kiosk then receives user instructions for a banking transaction using the stored-value account. The kiosk then processes the user instructions to perform the banking transaction using the stored-value account.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/512,290 titled “Systems and Methods for Money Sharing,” filed Oct. 17, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates generally to financial services, and more particularly to systems and methods for banking transactions using a stored-value card.
• 2. Description of the Prior Art
• Customers use automatic teller machines (ATMs) to conduct banking transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, balance inquiries, and transfers between traditional bank accounts. ATMs require ATM/debit cards and PIN numbers assigned to the related ATM/debit card. One problem with ATM/debit cards is that a bank customer must physically go to a branch of a bank to setup a traditional bank account because ATM/debit cards have a bank account, such as a demand deposit account (DDA), associated with it. The bank typically checks the customer's identity based on their driver's license or other documentation and collects personal information such as address, date of birth, and social security number. Banks need to verify identification to prevent fraud and/or improve security for the customer's banking transactions. Furthermore, there may be government regulations that require proof of identity before using bank accounts to prevent illegal activities such as money laundering and funding of terrorist activities.
• Another problem is that the funds deposited into an ATM machine are not immediately available for withdrawal. For example, if a customer deposits cash or a check in a deposit envelope, the deposited amount is not immediately available until a bank employee services the ATM machine to collect and process the deposits.
• Customers have also used credit cards for banking transactions as well. One problem with credit cards is that a person usually needs to have good credit to have a credit line issued for a credit card. Also, another problem is that credit cards can take weeks to issue from a bank. After submitting a credit card application, the credit card is then mailed to the person's address.
• Another problem relates to a large population of US residents (by some estimates as much as 50 million) that are poorly served by the banking system—the “under-banked” or the “unbanked”. This population is generally excluded from traditional banking products (checking accounts, credit cards, debit cards) or moves in and out of eligibility for them—as banks offering them generally require good credit and/or unreasonably large security deposits in order to obtain these services. People may be excluded for any number of reasons such as having unfortunate circumstances like a divorce or serious medical problem adversely impact their credit standing, or such as making mistakes with their credit coming out of college leading to poor credit or a bankruptcy, or such as having no established credit history because they are a recent immigrant or someone who chooses to conduct their financial affairs primarily with cash. The reason banks generally exclude these groups of people from their service offerings is the cost and risk associated with the products, particularly credit cards and checking accounts. Therefore, these people may be excluded from certain financial transactions that require credit cards or debit cards. In one example, a person without a credit card cannot make purchases over the Internet, buy products from a catalogue, reserve a hotel room or rental car, purchase airline tickets, or even rent a movie, which may require a credit card. Thus, there is a need to provide convenient, cost-effective, lower risk financial services to this population.
• In one prior art solution provided by 7-Eleven, a VCOM kiosk provides banking transactions such as money transfer, printing checks, and check cashing based on a deposited amount. However, a customer must also interact with a cashier to perform the banking transactions. Also, the card associated with the VCOM kiosk is only used for identification purposes. Other kiosks manufactured by Blackstone issue cards, but the cards are calling cards.
• Stored-value cards typically have been used for providing payment for goods or services after a user has deposited money into the stored-value card. For example, stored-value cards have been used as gift cards and as cards that provide payment for coffee or copies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The invention addresses the above problems by providing systems and methods for banking transactions that use a kiosk to perform financial services. The kiosk dispenses a stored-value card. The kiosk determines a stored-value account related to a stored-value card for a user. The kiosk then receives user instructions for a banking transaction using the stored-value account. The kiosk then processes the user instructions to perform the banking transaction using the stored-value account.
• In some embodiments, the kiosk dispenses the stored-value card. In some embodiments, the kiosk assigns the stored-value account to the stored-value card. The kiosk also may receive and process the stored-value card. In some embodiments, the kiosk receives personal data of the user and verifies an identity of the user based on the personal data. In some embodiments, the stored-value card is compatible with a bank card association network.
• These systems and methods advantageously provide banking transactions using unattended kiosks and stored-value cards. Users can then conduct banking transactions without having to visit a branch of a bank. Furthermore, users can also conveniently perform banking transactions using stored-value cards and stored-value accounts without setting up and maintaining a traditional bank account. A banking transaction is any financial dealing or action related to account activity such as deposits, withdrawals, purchases, transfers, account inquiries, and printing of financial instruments. In some embodiments, users will not be required to visit a branch office of a bank to set up a traditional bank account before being issued a stored-value card for banking transactions.
• In some embodiments, another advantage is that the user can conduct banking transactions using stored-value cards without being subject to credit checks, extensive background checks, or large deposit requirements. Also, the costs of providing banking transactions are reduced because of the use of an unattended kiosk. In some cases, by requiring cash payment, the risks that banks take in providing banking transaction using stored-value cards are reduced, and the amount deposited in the stored-value account may be available in real-time for other banking transactions. Thus, in some embodiments, banks can provide a broad array of services for banking transactions using stored-value cards to the unbanked population because of the cost-effectiveness and the reduced risks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a kiosk in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a system for financial services in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a master stored-value account and sub-accounts in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a flow chart for a kiosk dispensing a stored-value card in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 5 is a flow chart for a kiosk for performing banking transactions in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The present inventions provide systems and methods for banking transactions using a stored-value card. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various features disclosed in connection with the embodiments may be used either individually or jointly. It is to be appreciated that while the present inventions have been described with reference to preferred implementations, those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present inventions may be beneficially utilized in any number of environments and implementations.
• The inventions have been described below with reference to specific embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made and other embodiments can be used without departing from the broader scope of the inventions. Therefore, these and other variations upon the specific embodiments are intended to be covered by the present inventions.
• The systems and methods for banking transactions use a kiosk to perform financial services. The kiosk dispenses a stored-value card. The kiosk determines a stored-value account related to the stored-value card for a user. The kiosk then receives user instructions for a banking transaction using the stored-value account. The kiosk then processes the user instructions to perform the banking transaction using the stored-value account.
• A stored-value account is monetary value associated with a card that does not require a credit line or a traditional bank account, such as a demand deposit account (“DDA”) or brokerage account. A stored-value card is any card that is associated with a stored-value account. A banking transaction is any financial dealing or action related to account activity such as deposits, withdrawals, purchases, transfers, account inquiries, and printing of financial instruments.
• These systems and methods advantageously provide banking transactions using unattended kiosks and stored-value cards. Users can then conduct banking transactions without having to visit a branch of a bank. Furthermore, users can also conveniently perform banking transactions using stored-value cards and stored-value accounts without setting up and maintaining a traditional bank account. In some embodiments, users will not be required to visit a branch office of a bank to set up a traditional bank account before being issued a stored-value card for banking transactions.
• In some embodiments, another advantage is that the user can conduct banking transactions using stored-value cards without being subject to credit checks, extensive background checks, or large deposit requirements. Also, the costs of providing banking transactions are reduced because of the use of an unattended kiosk. In some cases, by requiring cash payment, the risks that banks take in providing banking transaction using stored-value cards are reduced, and the amount deposited in the stored-value account may be available in real-time for other banking transactions. Thus, in some embodiments, banks can provide a broad array of services for banking transactions using stored-value cards to the unbanked population because of the cost-effectiveness and the reduced risks.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of akiosk100 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The overall operation of thekiosk100 will be discussed below inFIGS. 4-5. Thekiosk100 is any unattended mechanism, device, or system that is designed for public access and provides users access to accounts or financial services. In one embodiment, thekiosk100 includes input/output (I/O) interfaces110,monetary transaction devices130, adispenser system140, aprocessor150, abus152, astorage system160, acommunication network interface170, acommunication link172, and abiometric capture system180.
• Thebus152 is coupled to the I/O interfaces110, themonetary transaction devices130, thedispenser system140, theprocessor150, thestorage system160, thecommunication network interface170, and thebiometric capture system180. Thecommunication link172 is coupled to thecommunication network interface170.
• The I/O interfaces110 are any interfaces or devices configured to provide input or output to a user of thekiosk100. In one embodiment, the I/O interfaces110 include anaudio interface112, avideo interface114, aprinter116, akeypad118, and acard reader120. Theaudio interface112 is any device or system configured to audibly communicate between the user and thekiosk100. Some examples of anaudio interface112 are speakers and a microphone. Thevideo interface114 is any device or system configured to visually communicate between the user and thekiosk100. One example of thevideo interface114 is a touch-screen display. Theprinter116 is a printer configured to print transaction records. Thekeypad118 is a standard numeric or alphanumeric keypad. Thecard reader120 is a conventional card reader configured to read ATM cards, stored-value cards, debit cards, credit cards, and/or identification cards. In other embodiments, thecard reader120 may be a reader that optically, magnetically or electrically scans cards.
• Themonetary transaction devices130 are any mechanisms, devices, or systems configured to receive or provide monetary instruments such as checks, drafts, money orders, and currency. In one embodiment, themonetary transaction devices130 include acheck reader132, acheck printer134, and amoney validation device136. Thecheck reader132 is a reader configured to read and validate checks. Thecheck printer134 is a printer configured to print financial instruments such as checks, drafts, or money orders. Themoney validation device136 is a conventional device configured to accept and validate currency such as bills and coins. In other embodiments, themonetary transaction devices130 include a money order printer and a money order reader, which are not shown inFIG. 1.
• Thedispenser system140 is any device or system configured to dispense cards or printed materials related to financial services. In one embodiment, thedispenser system140 includes acard inventory142, a printed materials inventory144, and a card andmaterials dispenser146.
• Theprocessor150 is configured to execute software or instructions in accord with the operations discussed below. Thestorage system160 is any storage device, memory, or group of storage devices configured to store data permanently or temporarily. Thecommunication network interface170 is any communication interface configured to transfer data between any components connected to thebus152 and any communication network.
• Thebiometric capture system180 is any mechanism, device, or system configured to capture biometric information from a user of thekiosk100. Biometric information is any information or data that indicates a representation of a person. Some examples of biometric information are fingerprints, retina scans, audio images, signatures, and video images.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of asystem200 for financial services in an exemplary implementation of the invention. Thesystem200 for financial services includes akiosk100, acommunication network210, a cardtransaction processing system220, agovernment database230, and amember bank system240. Thekiosk100 is coupled to thecommunication network210 via thecommunication link172. Thecommunication network210 is coupled to the cardtransaction processing system220. The cardtransaction processing system220 is coupled to thegovernment database230 and themember bank system240. Thegovernment database230 is coupled to themember bank system240.
• The operations of thekiosk100 will be discussed in greater detail below inFIGS. 4-5. For the sake of simplicity, only onekiosk100 is shown inFIG. 2. Those skilled in the art will understand that there may be numerous kiosks attached to thecommunication network210.
• Thecommunication network210 is any conventional communication network configured to transfer data for card processing and financial transactions. In one embodiment, thecommunication network210 includes a supernetwork configured to manage a couple of sub-networks. Some of these sub-networks handle financial communications for managing transactions, deposits, withdrawals, and balance checks. Additionally, some of these sub-networks handle security communications that verifies the card, validates personal ID, and checks against government databases.
• The cardtransaction processing system220 is any system configured to process card transactions. In one embodiment, a company called TSYS operates the cardtransaction processing system220. Thegovernment database230 is any database that contains government information for individual identification for security and/or law enforcement. Some examples of government information are fingerprints, voice samples, photo identification, identification cards, and personal data. In some embodiments, thegovernment database230 is used to check against known terrorist or other government mandated lists before activating the card or accepting additional cash. Moreover, thegovernment database230 can be used to notify the government of time, place, and amount of each cash deposit and withdrawal. In some embodiments, the cash has limited acceptance by time period (e.g. day, week, month, and year) using thegovernment database230. In other embodiments, thegovernment database230 assures compliance with all applicable regulations and in real time if necessary. Themember bank system240 is a conventional banking system for processing financial transactions.
• In some embodiments, the banking transactions are for one stored-value account. In other embodiments, the banking transactions may involve multiple related stored-value accounts or at least one stored-value account and other types of related accounts.
• FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of a master stored value account and sub-accounts in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. A master stored-value account310 is associated with aprepaid phone sub-account320, a stored-value sub-account330, a stored-value debit sub-account340, a stored-valuemoney transfer sub-account350, amoney sharing sub-account360, and aninterest bearing sub-account370.
• The master stored-value account310 is also a signature- and pin-based debit or credit stored-value account. The master stored-value account310 can be reloaded with funds and used anywhere in the world that a bank card association network (such as Visa/Mastercard) is accepted. In some embodiments, the master stored-value account310 includes phone card capability, the capability to issue money orders, and the ability to move money into a money-sharing sub-account. The master stored-value account310 allows movement of some or all of the funds present on the master stored-value account310 into money sharing sub-accounts. These funds can be accessed by taking a cash advance from the master stored-value account310 at ATMs and banks worldwide, or by using the specially designed money-share sister card to affect the cash advance at ATMs globally.
• The sister card for sub-accounts is a pin-required ATM-accessed stored-value card. In other embodiments, the sub-accounts may be for utility bills, school tuition, gift cards, groceries, and other miscellaneous stored-value card programs.
• FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart for the kiosk in dispensing a new stored-value card in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.FIG. 4 begins instep400. Instep402, theprocessor150 checks if a stored-value card was inserted or a new stored-value account was requested by the user. If a stored-value card was inserted, the process for dispensing a new stored-value card ends instep426.
• If a new stored-value account was requested, thekiosk100 receives payment for the new account instep404. The payment may be made by cash, check, credit, debit, or another stored-value card. Thekiosk100 may receive the payment through either acheck reader132, themoney validation device136, or any other device in themonetary transaction devices130 that accepts payment.
• Instep406, theprocessor150 determines the type of card to issue. In some embodiments, there may be different types of stored-value cards to issue. Instep408, thebiometric capture system180 captures a biometric data by photo, voice sample, fingerprint, and/or retina scan of the user of thekiosk100. The process of capturing the biometric data of a user of the kiosk is described in further detail in U.S. application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Systems and Methods for Biometric Identification and Verification of a User of a Kiosk” filed on Oct. 15, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
• Instep410, thekiosk100 scans documents for personal information. In some embodiments, thekiosk100 scans the documents for personal information through thecard reader120. Some examples of documents that can be scanned are Matricula Consular cards and driver's licenses. Instep412, thekiosk100 receives personal information based on user input. Thekiosk100 may receive personal information from theaudio interface112, thevideo interface114, thekeypad118, thecard reader120, or thebiometric capture system180. Alternative embodiments may use any one or combination ofsteps406,408, and410 to capture identification and personal information.
• Instep414, theprocessor150 then generates a personal identification record based on the identification imprint and the personal information. In one embodiment, the personal identification record includes name, local address, place and date of birth, digital photo, digital fingerprint, digital voice print, digital photo of ID e.g. driver's license, Social Security number, tax ID number; and Matricula Consular card number. In some embodiments, the cardtransaction processing system220 generates a personal identification record based on the identification imprint and the personal information.
• Instep416, thekiosk100 displays the personal identification record using thevideo interface114 or theaudio interface112 for user verification. Instep418, theprocessor150 validates the personal identification record against thegovernment database230. In other embodiments, the cardtransaction processing system220 or themember bank system240 validates the personal identification record against thegovernment database230. This validation process is described in further detail in U.S. application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Systems and Methods for Identifying and Verifying a User of a Kiosk Using an External Verification System” filed on Oct. 15, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
• Instep420, theprocessor150 checks whether the personal identification record is valid. If invalid, the process ends instep426. If valid, theprocessor150 assigns a stored-value account to the stored-value card instep422. In other embodiments, the stored-value account is preassigned to the stored-value card. In some embodiments, the cardtransaction processing system220 assigns a stored-value account to the stored-value card. Instep424, thekiosk100 dispenses a new stored-value card, card voucher, and/or printed materials through thedispenser system140.FIG. 4 ends instep426.
• FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart for a kiosk for banking transactions in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.FIG. 5 begins instep500. Instep502, thecard reader120 receives card information from the stored-value card. Instep504, thekeypad118 or thevideo interface114 receives the PIN number from the user of thekiosk100. Instep506, theprocessor150 then checks whether the card information and the PIN number are valid. If the card information and the PIN number are invalid, the process ends instep534.
• Instep508, theprocessor150 checks whether the user has selected to view the balance of their stored-value account. If the user has not selected to view their balance, the process continues to step512. If the user has selected to view their balance, thevideo interface114 displays the balance or theprinter116 prints out the balance for the stored-value account instep510. In some embodiments, thekiosk100 provides a card statement, account activity (i.e. last 5 transactions), recent transactions, and/or balances. In some embodiments, thekiosk100 provides statement information that is required by government regulations. The statement information from thekiosk100 may provide improved customer service for users that are underbanked or unbanked who may not receive mail or may not have access to the Internet.
• Instep512, theprocessor150 checks whether the user has selected to deposit money into their stored-value account. If the user has not selected to deposit, the process continues to step520. If the user has selected to deposit, thekiosk100 receives monetary input for the stored-value account instep514. The monetary input may be by cash, check, credit, debit, or another stored-value card. Thekiosk100 may receive the monetary input through either thecheck reader132, themoney validation device136, or any other device in themonetary transaction devices130 that accepts the monetary input.
• Instep516, thekiosk100 validates the monetary input. Instep518, theprocessor150 generates the account entry for the monetary input deposited to the stored-value account. In some embodiments, the monetary input deposited is immediately available in the stored value account, which may result in instantaneous money sharing among multiple users.
• Instep520, theprocessor150 checks whether the user has selected to withdraw money from their stored-value account. If the user has not selected to withdraw, the process continues to step530. If the user has selected to withdraw, theprocessor150 checks whether the user has selected to withdraw by printing a check or money order. If the user has selected to print a check or money order, thecheck printer134 prints the check or money order instep524. In some embodiments, the checks have a preprinted amount that can be validated in real time to check if the funds are available in the stored-value account or that the funds have been deposited and validated in thekiosk100. In some embodiments, the user of thekiosk100 can add the payee and the signature for the check. In some embodiments, the check amount is instantaneously debited from the stored-value account to allow “pre-paid” checks as opposed to traditional “post-paid” checks. If the user has not selected to print a check or money order, thekiosk100 disperses cash instep526. Instep528, theprocessor530 generates an account entry for the monetary output withdrawn from the stored-value account.
• Instep530, theprocessor150 checks whether the user has selected to transfer money from the stored-value account to another account. Some examples of other accounts are described above inFIG. 3. In some embodiments, the user can only transfer to the accounts that the user owns. In other embodiments, the user owns a master account and transfers to sub-accounts that are for sharing with or providing access to other users. In some embodiments, the user may select to undo the transfer. If the user has not selected to transfer, the process ends instep534. If the user has selected to transfer, theprocessor150 generates account entries to transfer the monetary output from the stored-value account instep532.FIG. 5 ends instep534. Another example of a banking transaction is money sharing, which is described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “Systems and Methods for Money Sharing” filed on Oct. 15, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Also, in some embodiments, the user may send an e-mail through thekiosk100, and thekiosk100 may display a reply e-mail for customer services purposes.
• The above-described elements can be comprised of instructions that are stored on storage media. The instructions can be retrieved and executed by a processor. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Some examples of storage media are memory devices, tape, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The instructions are operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to operate in accord with the invention. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processors, and storage media.
• The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims (37)

1. A method of operating a kiosk to perform financial services, the method comprising:

dispensing a stored-value card from a kiosk;

determining a stored-value account related to the stored-value card for a user of the kiosk;

receiving user instructions for a banking transaction using the stored-value account; and

processing the user instructions to perform the banking transaction using the stored-value account.

2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising assigning the stored-value account to the stored-value card in the kiosk.

3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein determining the stored-value account related to the stored-value card further comprises:

receiving the stored-value card into the kiosk; and

processing the stored-value card.

4. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:

receiving personal data of the user into the kiosk; and

verifying an identity of the user based on the personal data.

5. The method ofclaim 4 wherein receiving personal data comprises capturing biometric data.

6. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the stored-value card is compatible with a bank card association network.

7. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the banking transaction comprises depositing a monetary amount into the stored-value account.

8. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the banking transaction comprises withdrawing a monetary amount from the stored-value account.

9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the banking transaction comprises transferring a monetary amount from the stored-value account to another account.

10. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the banking transaction comprises displaying a balance of the stored-value account.

11. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the banking transaction comprises money sharing.

12. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the banking transaction comprises printing a financial instrument.

13. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising receiving payment for the stored-value card.

14. A kiosk for performing financial services, the kiosk comprising:

a dispenser system configured to dispense a stored-value card from the kiosk;

a processor configured to determine a stored-value account related to the stored-value card for a user of the kiosk, receive user instructions for a banking transaction using the stored-value account, and process the user instructions to perform the banking transaction using the stored-value account; and

a storage system configured to store data.

15. The kiosk ofclaim 14 wherein the processor is further configured to assign the stored-value account to the stored-value card in the kiosk.

16. The kiosk ofclaim 14 further comprising a card reader configured to receive and process the stored-value card.

17. The kiosk ofclaim 14 further comprising an interface configured to receive personal data of the user into the kiosk and wherein the processor is further configured to verify an identity of the user based on the personal data.

18. The kiosk ofclaim 17 wherein the interface comprises a biometric capture system configured to capture biometric data of the user.

19. The kiosk ofclaim 14 wherein the stored-value card is compatible with a bank card association network.

20. The kiosk ofclaim 14 wherein the banking transaction comprises depositing a monetary amount into the stored-value account.

21. The kiosk ofclaim 14 wherein the banking transaction comprises withdrawing a monetary amount from the stored-value account.

22. The kiosk ofclaim 14 wherein the banking transaction comprises transferring a monetary amount from the stored-value account to another account.

23. The kiosk ofclaim 14 wherein the banking transaction comprises displaying a balance of the stored-value account.

24. The kiosk ofclaim 14 wherein the banking transaction comprises money sharing.

25. The kiosk ofclaim 14 wherein the banking transaction comprises printing a financial instrument.

26. The kiosk ofclaim 14 further comprising a monetary transaction device configured to receive payment for the stored-value card.

27. A software product for operating a kiosk to perform financial services, the software product comprising:

kiosk software operational when executed by a processor to direct the processor to generate a control signal to dispense a stored-value card from the kiosk, determine a stored-value account related to the stored-value card for a user of the kiosk, receive user instructions for a banking transaction using the stored-value account, and process the user instructions to perform the banking transaction using the stored-value account; and

a software storage medium operational to store the kiosk software.

28. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the kiosk software is operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to assign the stored-value account to the stored-value card in the kiosk.

29. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the kiosk software is operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to receive personal data of the user into the kiosk and verify an identity of the user based on the personal data.

30. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the kiosk software is operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to receive biometric data.

31. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the stored-value card is compatible with a bank card association network.

32. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the banking transaction comprises depositing a monetary amount into the stored-value account.

33. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the banking transaction comprises withdrawing a monetary amount from the stored-value account.

34. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the banking transaction comprises transferring a monetary amount from the stored-value account to another account.

35. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the banking transaction comprises displaying a balance of the stored-value account.

36. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the banking transaction comprises money sharing.

37. The software product ofclaim 27 wherein the banking transaction comprises printing a financial instrument.

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