The present invention provides alternative methods and systems for instantaneous initialization of financial presentation instruments, preferably stored value cards, gift cards, or other pre-paid debit cards. In one aspect of the present invention, a method for initializing financial presentation instruments is provided. The method comprises mailing a financial presentation instrument to a customer. At least an account identification (ID) associated with the presentation instrument, a monetary value to be loaded onto the presentation instrument, and a payment instrument from the customer is received. The presentation instrument is then initialized or activated to the monetary value. Typically, the receiving and initializing is carried out by an internet website, an interactive voice response (IVR) system, or a telephone customer service representative.