Abstract: Embodiments as described herein include methods and a system for multi-channel and cross-channel account opening. An applicant may start an account opening process in one channel and move to one or more other channels without any application data being lost. A financial management system (FMS) provides a single account opening platform for multiple financial institutions (FIs) such that an application to open an account is handled by the FMS platform using shared resources among channels, and applying rules specified by each FI.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an electronic transaction service network (also referred to herein as a centralized electronic transaction (CET) service)=According to an embodiment, a financial management system hosts multiple CET web sites on behalf of multiple merchants. All transactions through any CET web site are executed and managed by the financial management system. Merchants may customize their web sites to include a branded look and feel. The merchant web sites are part of a CET service for which customer can register. Registered customers can then view and pay invoices from any merchants having CET web sites, whether purchases were made online or offline. Customers specify preferences for the CET service including choosing existing customer accounts from which the financial management system is to pay invoices on behalf of the customer. This eliminates the need for the customer to open and fund a separate payment account as in traditional methods.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an electronic transaction service network (also referred to herein as a centralized electronic transaction (CET) service). In another embodiment, a financial management system hosts a “central payment hub” version of the CET service. The central payment hub is an industrial utility in that multiple financial institutions all participate in a central service that can be offered to their respective customers. All of the customers (both individuals and small businesses) of the various institutions come to one consolidated payment hub. For example a Bank of America invoice can come into the payment hub, and a Wells Fargo invoice can come into the payment hub. The payment hub is a shared utility across multiple financial institutions. The payment hub features a single registration at the payment hub across all of the participating financial institutions.

Abstract: A withdrawal of assets is initiated from a first account at a first financial institution. A deposit of the assets withdrawn from the first account is initiated to a second account at a second financial institution. The first account and the second account have a common account holder. The withdrawal and deposit of assets may be initiated after analyzing multiple accounts of the account holder and determining whether an adjustment of funds among the multiple accounts would benefit the account holder. A debit instruction is used to initiate the withdrawal of assets and a credit instruction is used to initiate the deposit of the withdrawn assets. The withdrawal and deposit of assets can be implemented using one or more payment networks, debit networks, or a wire transfer between the two financial institutions.

Abstract: A system receives account access information from a user. The account is then accessed using the received access information. Data is harvested from a web page associated with the account or received from another financial data source. The user's ability to access the account is authenticated based on the obtained information.

Abstract: A system receives account access information from a user. The account is then accessed using the received access information. Data is harvested from a web page associated with the account or received from another financial data source. The user's ability to access the account is authenticated based on the obtained information.

Abstract: A system receives account access information from a user. The account is then accessed using the received access information. Data is harvested from a web page associated with the account or received from another financial data source. The user's ability to access the account is authenticated based on the obtained information.

Abstract: A withdrawal of assets is initiated from a first account at a first financial institution. A deposit of the assets withdrawn from the first account is initiated to a second account at a second financial institution. The first account and the second account have a common account holder. The withdrawal and deposit of assets may be initiated after analyzing multiple accounts of the account holder and determining whether an adjustment of funds among the multiple accounts would benefit the account holder. A debit instruction is used to initiate the withdrawal of assets and a credit instruction is used to initiate the deposit of the withdrawn assets. The withdrawal and deposit of assets can be implemented using one or more payment networks, debit networks, or a wire transfer between the two financial institutions.

Abstract: A withdrawal of assets is initiated from a first account at a first financial institution. A deposit of the assets withdrawn from the first account is initiated to a second account at a second financial institution. The first account and the second account have a common account holder. The withdrawal and deposit of assets may be initiated after analyzing multiple accounts of the account holder and determining whether an adjustment of funds among the multiple accounts would benefit the account holder. A debit instruction is used to initiate the withdrawal of assets and a credit instruction is used to initiate the deposit of the withdrawn assets. The withdrawal and deposit of assets can be implemented using one or more payment networks, debit networks, or a wire transfer between the two financial institutions.

Abstract: A user is presented with multiple modes of operation, such that the multiple modes of operation define different trust options for handling data (such as login credentials or other sensitive data) associated with the user. A selection of one of the multiple modes of operation is received from the user. Data associated with the user is handled in accordance with the selected mode of operation.

Abstract: A request is received to transfer bill payment data from a first account associated with a first entity to a second account associated with a second entity. Bill payment information is retrieved from the first entity. The second account is accessed and the bill payment data is established at the second entity.

Abstract: Data is captured from a web site or other data source. Data is extracted from the web page using a data harvesting script or other data acquisition routine. The extracted data is then normalized and stored in a database. If data cannot be extracted from the web page, a copy of the captured web page is stored without personal information contained in the web page. The data harvesting script is then edited based on an analysis of the captured web page.