Abstract: A system an method allowing customers of a banking institution to transmit bulk files of payment instructions to the bank for execution. The payment instructions may include a mix of domestic or international Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions, domestic or international wire transfers, multibank transactions and instructions to print checks drawn on the receiving bank or at another bank. For payments requiring payment in a foreign currency in which the customer does not have an account the present invention automatically generates and executes a contract for the foreign exchange (FX) to obtain the currency required to fulfill the payment instruction. The automatic FX process can furthermore use a real time feed of foreign exchange rates as opposed to the static rates traditionally applied to such contracts.

Abstract: An exchange member establishes a threshold credit value for transactions by a non-member institution. The threshold value is provided to a credit authorization service of the exchange, which acts as a surrogate for the exchange members. Securities transaction or orders from non-member institutions are then transmitted from the non-member institution to the credit authorization service of the exchange. The credit authorization service compares the transaction with a percentage of the pre-established threshold value. If the transaction does not exceed the percentage of the pre-established threshold, the system forwards the transaction to the exchange. If the transaction does exceed the percentage of the pre-established threshold, the system notifies the sponsoring exchange member and possibly the non-member institution. The percentage of the pre-established threshold may be less than or equal to 100 percent of the pre-established value.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method of structuring a municipal bond issued by a credit issuer to a credit holder, comprising requiring the credit issuer to pay to the credit holder a fixed payment component; and requiring the credit issuer to pay to the credit holder a variable payment component that varies based on changes in a value of an ownership value characteristic which is associated with the municipal bond and wherein the ownership characteristic is selected from the group including: a) a general interest rate level; b) an exemption from a state tax; c) an exemption from a federal tax; d) a marginal state tax rate; e) a marginal federal tax rate; f) a credit rating of the credit issuer; g) a credit variation associated with a credit enhancer; h) a credit variation associated with a liquidity provider; and i) a supply/demand level for municipal bonds.

Abstract: A payment disallow mechanism for an e-billing system including a computer system accessible for on-line interactive communication of invoices to users. The computer system including a database for storing customer invoice information, the information including an invoice date and an total invoice amount for display to said customer for on-line interaction; a mechanism for initiating electronic payment of the modified total invoice amount via the e-billing system, and a mechanism for determining whether the total invoice amount is a zero balance or credit balance prior to executing the electronic payment, wherein in response to determination of the zero or credit balance, the mechanism terminating the payment mechanism and generating a disallow payment message for display to the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for making proceeds of an ACH (Automated Clearing House) transaction available to a user before the transaction is completed. The system may be part of an on-line or traditional merchant or system configured to allow or facilitate payments or fund transfers from users. When a user requests payment or transfer of funds to an entity (e.g., another user, a merchant, the user's account with the system) via an ACH entry, the system authorizes the amount against a credit source of the user or otherwise verifies that the user has sufficient credit to cover the payment/transfer. If the authorization succeeds, the system places a hold on the credit source in the amount of the transaction. The ACH entry is then initiated and the desired funds are released. If the ACH transaction is rejected or returned, the user's credit source is charged.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of supporting a financial transaction involving an owner of IP rights. A potential guarantor evaluates the IP rights to determine a guarantee value thereof. The guarantor then provides a pledge to pay to a named party the determined guarantee value in exchange for the guarantor receiving ownership of the IP rights in the event of a default of the financial transaction. In one embodiment, a third party provides payment even prior to any such default occurring.