SVM is considered a pioneer in the marketing of stored value products (gift cards).

[1][2] SVM was founded in 1997 by Marshall Reavis, a former employee at Mobil Oil Corporation.

When SVM first opened, the company only provided gasoline gift cards and had two employees.

In 2004 SVM deploys a web-based card reloading system on behalf of a major oil company that enables consumers to reload gasoline gift cards instantly online.

[3] The company also opened a consumer-focused gift card storefront on eBay.