Abstract: The invention is directed towards dynamically managing a financial account based on risk modules, aggregated data, and individual behavior, wherein the risk modules are calculated using current and real-time data used in conjunction with prospective as well as current customer data. The risk of loss associated with operating financial accounts is reduced because the parameters under which the financial accounts operate is adjusted based on the aggregated data and the analysis provided from the risk models. This allows additional customers to be obtained but optimizes the risk of loss for the financial institution.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying the existence of a deposit account, such as a checking account, are provided. The system and method may also be used to determine whether the deposit account is configured to receive automatic transactions for withdrawal. For example, a lender may extend an offer of credit to a borrower where payments of principal and interest are to be made by automatic withdrawals. Prior to transferring the principal, the lender verifies the existence and configuration of the borrower's deposit account by charging a fee to establish the line of credit and retrieving the fee by automatic withdrawal. Once the transaction clears and the lender receives the fee, the lender is assured that the account does exist and is configured to receive automatic transactions. Two exemplary methods of retrieving the fee are electronic funds transfer and remote creation of a paper negotiable instrument.

Abstract: A system and method for extending a firm offer of credit contingent upon receiving a one-time authorization to execute recurring automatic withdrawals from a deposit account is provided. In providing the one-time authorization to execute recurring automatic withdrawals, a prospective borrower may elect from a plurality of automatic withdrawal repayment options. One such option is electronic fund transfer, such as the initiation of a withdrawal entry into the Automated Clearing House network. A second option is by the remote creation of a paper negotiable instrument, which is then converted into an electronic substitute check capable of electronic routing. Upon receiving the one-time authorization, the lender may make recurring automatic withdrawals from the borrower's deposit account.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly and remotely providing temporary credit to a borrower is provided. In one embodiment, a lender uses as one criterion in approving the temporary credit a minimum number of deposits within a predetermined deposit verification time. Upon receipt of a request for credit, which may come either from a prospective borrower or from a merchant upon denial of credit to the prospective borrower, a lender queries a deposit account to determine whether a predetermined minimum number of deposits has been made within a predetermined deposit verification time. The lender may also determine whether each of the deposits exceeds a minimum deposit amount. Where approved, the lender is able to rapidly dispense funds for use by the borrower. In one embodiment, the lender makes these funds available via a pre-paid credit card. The lender is then able to collect principal and interest through electronic withdrawals.

Abstract: A method and system for providing and activating a credit card and credit line to a consumer. In one embodiment, the system and method include providing the consumer with a choice of one credit card from a plurality of cards. In response to the consumer's selection of one of the plurality of credit cards, an immediate authorization request is made for the credit card from an authorization source, such as a mobile telephone, kiosk, cash register, or credit card transaction device. Upon transmission of the authorization request, a rapid approval or disapproval is made based upon the applicant's financial status. This status may include the existence of an open bank account, such as a checking or savings account, or other credit worthiness indicia, such as prior business history with the lender and prior credit history. Once activated, the credit card may be used to purchase goods and services.

Abstract: A merchant can extend credit to a customer by establishing an account which allows the account to be paid off, or significantly paid down, on or after the customer's next payday. The payment can be directly extracted from the customer's bank account. The merchant is provided with a merchant system. The merchant system is used to read or recognize a unique customer identifier device, such as a magnetically encoded or bar-coded customer card, or an integrated chip, micro-computer, manually entered PIN etc., which uniquely identifies an account held by the customer. The merchant device communicates the information to a server system which approves the transaction and cooperatively the merchant system and server system generate a transaction instrument that can be signed by the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for extending a balance reduction offer to a set of borrowers selected from a pool is provided. A lender, for instance a financial institution issuing credit cards to a pool of borrowers, selects a subset of borrowers based upon a criterion. The balance reduction offer includes a financial incentive to encourage the borrower to accept the offer. When the borrower accepts the offer, the lender credits the account for a payment received. In one embodiment, an issuer of credit cards may employ the invention to facilitate selected borrowers transferring outstanding balances to another credit card. In such an embodiment, the borrower may complete the transaction with the assistance of a cash wire transfer company.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for providing a credit account for debt recovery. A recovery credit account is provided for a customer with an existing charged-off debt. Some of the customer's charged-off debt may be forgiven as part of a settlement when the customer enrolls in the recovery credit account, but the opening balance of the recovery credit account will represent the entire debt obligation of the customer going forward. The recovery credit account includes a credit limit that is lower than the opening balance. Reducing the account balance to less than the credit limit triggers open-to-buy status, issuance of a credit card, and activation of over the limit fees for future balances over the credit limit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for routing calls received by a call center are provided. One or more performance metrics for ranking call center agents may be determined, and a plurality of call center agents may be ranked based at least in part on the one or more performance metrics. A call may be received and a determination may be made of one of the plurality of call center agents to route the received call to. The determination may be based at least in part on the rankings and respective utilization of the plurality of call center agents. The received call may be routed to the one of the plurality of call center agents.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating, qualifying, and processing business leads are provided. Additionally, methods and systems are provided for the management of leads based upon various selective criteria for prospective customers of short-term loans and other financial services products. Furthermore, an interactive system and method for centralized lead management and subsequent location-based distribution of leads, accompanied by real-time telephonic verification and call transfer, in an objective, timely, and cost-effective manner, is provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, computer programs, merchant terminals, etc. for providing an on-us cash withdrawal service at a point-of-sale are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for providing a cash withdrawal service at a point-of-sale.

Abstract: A customer is assisted in recovering from indebtedness by combining a debt consolidation/settlement program with an installment loan. The customer is qualified for an installment loan with a value based on the amount of outstanding indebtedness or possibly based on the anticipated discounted balance. The customer is required to make payments into an escrow account for a period of time to ensure that the customer is credit worthy. One or more of the creditors are then approached in an effort to negotiate a discounted settlement amount in exchange for the reception of immediate reconciliation of the debt owed. A portion of the negotiated discount is retained for compensation, which can be provided to the debt settlement provider and/or the bank finding the installment loan. The balance is passed through to the customer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, computer programs, merchant terminals, etc. for providing an on-us cash withdrawal service at a point-of-sale are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for providing a cash withdrawal service at a point-of-sale.

Abstract: Methods for providing financial instruments to customers and applicants of a service provider are disclosed. One method, among others, includes providing a device such as a mobile telephone to a user, and providing the user with a contactless card having a financial account identifier that is associated with a financial account.

Abstract: A system, method, and interactive computer program product are provided for interactively analyzing sourcing options for positions within an organization utilizing a multidimensional, multi-factor analysis. Additionally, this technology provides for evaluating positions in an organization, evaluating the potential for outsourcing, and determining from where to source candidates for the positions in an objective, timely, and cost-effective manner. The dimensions include short-term, tactical drivers and long-term, strategic drivers. The factors include intellectual property, customer facing, availability of skills in the local marketplace, flexibility, communications channels utilized, cost, duration, and organization readiness to procure externally sourced candidates. An interactive, on-screen interview questionnaire and coach is utilized. The system is reconfigurable on a per-client basis.

Abstract: The website performance monitoring systems and methods of the present invention are implemented via a website monitoring tool that includes a website canvas and a plurality of web page objects configured to be dragged and dropped onto the generic website canvas to facilitate creation of a website model. The monitoring tool also includes a graphic interface which may be utilized to define and associate performance operational rules of a website being modified or created. The performance operational rules include website performance thresholds and rules associated with alerts which may be delivered in response to a website achieving or falling below defined performance alert levels. The monitoring tool also includes a pixel module which may be engaged to assign a plurality of attributes to a pixel associated with a page within the website model.

Abstract: The present invention provides the ability to solicit and obtain updated information about a customer or person. The present invention can be incorporated into a service provision system and thus, request updated information from a customer attempting to access the service. In operation, when the customer requests a service, the customer either provides or is requested to provide sufficient information to identify the customer. The system then extracts a customer profile based on the identity of the customer. Portions or all of the customer profile is then presented to the customer to verify for correctness. If the information is incorrect, the customer can provide updated information immediately to the system. The system can force the customer to either update the information or affirmatively indicate the information is correct before providing the service.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for issuing a credit card to a customer in combination with providing credit management information services for the customer. The exact terms of the credit account offered depend on the creditworthiness of the customer. The customer also receives credit management information services including information as to what actions the customer could take to improve the customer's credit rating and improve the terms of the credit account. After a credit account is issued to the customer, the customer receives additional and on-going credit management information services, including credit management information based on the customer's use of the credit account.

Abstract: A system and a method for managing a solicitation campaign are disclosed. A solicitor provides a solicitation center with pages of personalized script, which are generated using a first script template. The solicitor receives solicitee responses, analyzes the solicitiee responses, and determines whether to continue the solicitation campaign using the current script template or using a second script template for subsequent solicitations.

Abstract: A family stored value card program is provided. One embodiment is a method for implementing a stored value card program. One such method comprises: identifying an existing stored value card account; and enabling a first customer associated with the existing stored value card account to establish a new stored value card account associated with a second customer, the new stored value card account linked to the first stored value card account.