Transaction apparatus and method

A method comprising the steps of:

• storing information corresponding to a plurality of accounts in a memory supported on a card;
• selecting with an input device on a portable terminal operatively engaged with the card memory, one of the accounts;
• and
• writing with the terminal, indicia corresponding to the one selected account onto a magnetic stripe supported on the card.

A method comprising the steps of:

• storing information corresponding to at least one account and at least one value amount on a programmable memory supported on a card;
• selecting with an input device on a portable terminal, data corresponding to an account;
• inputting with the input device a transfer amount to be transferred between the account and the value amount on the card;
• communicating messages through a communications device operatively connected with the terminal, the messages being operative to either deduct or add the transfer amount from or to the account;
• and
• modifying the value amount with the terminal device responsive to the messages to either add the transfer amount to the value amount when the transfer amount was deducted from the account, or to deduct the transfer amount from the value amount when the transfer amount was added to the account.

A method comprising the steps of:

• storing information corresponding to a plurality of accounts on a programmable memory supported on a card;
• selecting through an input device on a portable terminal operatively engaged with the card memory, one of the accounts;
• and
• communicating wireless messages through a communications device operatively connected with the terminal, the wireless messages being operative to conduct a transaction with the selected account.