Abstract: Systems and methods for person-to-person and person-to-merchant remittances from a person having a closed loop system account to merchants who are not members of the closed loop system. In an embodiment, a payment gateway computer receives a remittance transaction request from a payment services provider (PSP) computer associated with a closed-loop system, maps an alias identifier into a shadow account number assigned to the sender in an open-loop payment authorization system, determines that the alias identifier mapped into a valid shadow account number, debits a stored value account for the remittance transaction amount, credits a shadow account in the open-loop payment authorization system for the remittance transaction amount, generates an authorization request for an open-loop payment transaction and transmits it to the open-loop payment authorization system, receives an authorization response from the open-loop payment authorization system, and transmits an approval response.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for use in facilitating fund transfers between source accounts and destination accounts, based on source account identifiers included in computer-readable indicia. One exemplary method includes capturing, by a computing device, at least one symbol representative of a destination account identifier associated with the destination account and identifying, by the computing device, a source account. The method further includes receiving, by the computing device, at least one payment parameter and causing, by the computing device, a fund transfer transaction based on the destination account identifier, the source account identifier, and the at least one payment parameter, whereby a payment from the source account to the destination account is initiated.

Abstract: A message routing and pre-processing (MRP) computing device is described herein. The MRP computing device is configured to receive an authorization request message associated with a transaction initiated by a cardholder with a merchant, the authorization request message including authorization parameters of the transaction, and retrieve a plurality of potential authorization routes for the authorization request message. Each potential authorization route includes routing parameters and is associated with a respective transaction processing network (TPN). The MRP computing device is also configured to compare the authorization parameters to the routing parameters of each potential authorization route to determine an optimized authorization route for the authorization request message. The optimized authorization route includes routing parameters that most closely match the authorization parameters. The optimized authorization route is associated with a first TPN.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, apparatus and methods are provided comprising a connector attachment including a housing, wherein the connector attachment is selectively connectable to a mobile device; and a first token stored within the connector attachment, wherein the first token is operative to execute a transaction with a second token. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic currency conversion and a server for an intermediary that transmits messages between participants of a transaction which requires currency conversion are provided. An exemplary method comprises determining that a transaction requires currency conversion, and obtaining at an intermediary a currency conversion rate for the currency conversion, wherein the intermediary transmits messages between participants of the transaction and where the messages enable each of the participants to perform their part in the transaction. The method also comprises facilitating the currency conversion using the currency conversion rate to obtain an amount of the transaction in a desired currency.

Abstract: One or more embodiments provide a system and method comprising receiving at a device a first token associated with a first account; executing a transaction; recording the executed transaction at each of the device and the first token, wherein the execution of the transaction is offline; and balancing the account associated with the first token per the transaction when the first token is online after the executed transaction. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing currency conversion cost estimates to customer mobile devices. In an embodiment, a payment system includes a translation computer and receives, from a customer mobile telephone, a currency conversion inquiry that includes the customer's mobile telephone number, local currency data and transaction amount data. The translation computer translates the customer's mobile telephone number into a customer payment card account number, transmits a currency conversion request to a currency conversion computer, and receives a currency conversion estimate in a home currency. The estimate includes a current foreign exchange rate plus an issuer conversion fee. The payment system computer then transmits the currency conversion estimate to the customer's mobile telephone.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system and a method of transmitting identity verification information to a merchant include receiving an account identifier from a user in response to the user interacting with a merchant. The user is authenticated based on the account identifier and identity verification information is transmitted to the merchant.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing business services solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) owned by merchants in developed markets and in developing markets. In some embodiments, a merchant enrolls with a merchant issuer financial institution (FI) and then receives an SME financial account, a suite of shared SME business service applications, and access to a payment card acceptance service for use in setting up and scaling their business. In an implementation, the process includes receiving a request for an SME business platform, validating merchant identification data, providing an SME financial account to the merchant, transmitting an SME business platform acceptance message, and transmitting an SME business platform to the merchant device. The SME business platform includes a payment card account acceptance application and at least one business services application configured for running on the merchant device.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes receiving a request message, the request message relating to a transaction between a first client and a second client, the request message including first client data and second client data, the first client data identifying an account to be used by the first client in the transaction, the second client data indicating if the second client is subscribed to a service. The method further includes determining if the second client is subscribed to the service, and generating an authentication request message if the second client is not subscribed to the service, the authentication request message requesting confirmation that a holder of the account is the first client. The method further includes sending the authentication request message, and receiving an authentication response message from the external server in response, the authentication response message including an indication whether the holder is the first client.

Abstract: Systems and methods for person-to-person and person-to-merchant remittances from a person having a closed loop system account to merchants who are not members of the closed loop system. In an embodiment, a payment gateway computer receives a remittance transaction request from a payment services provider (PSP) computer associated with a closed-loop system, maps an alias identifier into a shadow account number assigned to the sender in an open-loop payment authorization system, determines that the alias identifier mapped into a valid shadow account number, debits a stored value account for the remittance transaction amount, credits a shadow account in the open-loop payment authorization system for the remittance transaction amount, generates an authorization request for an open-loop payment transaction and transmits it to the open-loop payment authorization system, receives an authorization response from the open-loop payment authorization system, and transmits an approval response.

Abstract: A method of conducting an electronic financial transaction over a payment network on behalf of a customer is provided using a payment application stored in a mobile device of a facilitator, the method including: receiving transaction details of the electronic financial transaction in the payment application from the customer; generating a transaction request for the electronic financial transaction based on said the transaction details received; and forwarding the transaction request to a payment gateway for processing to carry out the electronic financial transaction over the payment network, the payment gateway having stored therein account details of a payment card linked to the facilitator from which funds are authorized to be deducted or to which funds are authorized to be credited based on the transaction request to pay for or receive funds from the electronic financial transaction on behalf of the customer in exchange for the facilitator receiving cash payment from or providing cash to the customer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting a payment card system payment transaction initiated from a customer's mobile device. In an embodiment, the customer's mobile device processor receives transaction information from a payment services provider computer, and generates a request for a payment transaction including a customer identification code that identifies the customer's payment card account, the transaction amount, and instructions to transfer funds from the payment card account to a merchant payment card account. The method includes transmitting the payment transaction request to the payment services provider computer, receiving a challenge to provide at least one item of security information, transmitting the security information to the payment services provider, and then receiving a confirmation message indicating execution of the payment transaction.

Abstract: A method includes receiving transaction information at a mobile device from a merchant device. The transaction information includes a transaction amount and merchant information that identifies a merchant that operates the merchant device. The method further includes generating a funds transfer request in the mobile device. The funds transfer request includes the merchant information, information that indicates the transaction amount and information that identifies a customer of the merchant. The funds transfer request is for requesting that funds be transferred from a payment card account that belongs to the customer to a payment card account that belongs to the merchant. The method also includes transmitting, from the mobile device, the funds transfer request, to a financial institution that issued the customer's payment card account.

Abstract: A method includes a processor receiving transaction information from a merchant device, which includes a transaction amount, merchant identifying information and customer addressing information. The processer transmits the merchant identifying information to a customer mobile device, and receives a payment transaction request to transfer funds from a customer account to a merchant. The processor translates the customer addressing information into a customer payment card account number, and the merchant identifying information into a merchant payment card account number. The processor then transmits the payment transaction request to the customer's issuer financial institution, which request includes the customer payment card account number, the transaction amount, and the merchant payment card account number.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting a funds transfer. In an embodiment, a translation computer receives an inquiry that includes a mobile telephone number from a payment system computer. The process includes accessing a computer database, translating the mobile telephone number into a payment card account number, and then transmitting, by the translation computer to the payment system computer, the payment card account number in response to the inquiry.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual wallet system to improve the operation of decoupled debit payment account schemes are described. In an embodiment, the process includes a virtual wallet server receiving a peer to peer purchase authorization request from an originating payment service provider (PSP). The virtual wallet server maps the virtual wallet account number to a consumer funding account, validates the consumer, applies issuer-defined business rules to the purchase transaction details, determines that the issuer-defined rules are satisfied, and generates and routes a standard purchase authorization request message to a first payment network authorization system for routing to an issuer of the funding account.

Abstract: A method of operating a merchant device includes the merchant device receiving an input from a customer mobile device concerning a financial transaction. The method further includes the merchant device selecting a payment transaction mode of operation when the input is a request for a payment card system transaction, or selecting a payment card purchase transaction mode of operation when the input from the customer mobile device is a payment card account number. In the payment transaction mode of operation the merchant device provides transaction data to the customer's mobile device, whereas in the payment card purchase transaction mode the merchant device transmits a payment card authorization request to an acquirer financial institution.

Abstract: A payment system computer receives a request for a funds transfer from a sender to a recipient. The payment system computer routes a request to authorize funding of the funds transfer to a first financial institution. The payment system computer receives an authorization response that includes sender information that satisfies know your customer (KYC)/anti-money laundering (AML) requirements. A mobile telephone number of the recipient is translated into a recipient account number, wherein the recipient account number corresponds to a recipient account at a second financial institution different from the first financial institution. The payment system computer then transmits the sender information and the funds to the second financial institution to satisfy KYC/AML requirements and for crediting to the recipient account.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a virtual wallet system are described. In an embodiment, the process includes receiving, at a virtual wallet server, a virtual wallet account number and payment transaction details that includes a payment amount, and then mapping the virtual wallet account number to at least one funding account associated with a consumer. The method also includes validating the consumer and the payment transaction details, generating a standard purchase authorization request message and routing it to an issuer of the at least one funding account, and receiving an authorization response approving the payment transaction. The process further includes loading the consumer's virtual wallet account in real time to match the payment amount, and routing an authorization approval message to an originating acquirer. Such a virtual wallet system with automatic-loading capabilities substantially improves the operation of decoupled debit payment account schemes.