Do I need a banking license to operate a company that sells gift cards?

Okay, you're asking two very different things. First, the answer to your question, "Do I need a banking license to operate a company that sells gift cards," is simply, "No." Think through that question. Pause for a moment and reflect on the hundreds--no, THOUSANDS--of businesses that issue gift cards. Do you think each of them has a "banking license?" Does that seem like a reasonable requirement to you--that a business must have a banking license in order to issue gift cards? Contrary to popular belief, our legal system has not yet completely abandoned all use of reason and common sense. So, again: No. Your second question, "Would the licensing be different," for "structuring it" (not sure what the "it" here is) "as a debit card instead of a gift card," is nonsensical. This question is utterly meaningless and without merit. I think what you might be trying to ask is, "Can I issue a debit card instead of a gift card," and the answer, again, is, "No." A debit card (also known as a bank card or check card) is a plastic payment card that provides the cardholder electronic access to their bank account(s) at a financial institution. You cannot issue a debit card unless you are a financial institution (i.e., a bank). May I suggest it might be a good idea pause to think for about 30 seconds about your question before you post it, here. A little common sense goes a long way. Also, a simple, quick search on Google or Wikipedia will often give you an answer to ludicrously simple questions if your common sense and general knowledge fails you. When you have a serious or complex legal question, that's when you might consider posting it here on . This is not one of those times.

I don't know the answer to your question, but thank you for posting on . Your question was not nonsensical in the least.