Abstract: A volatility surface model having at least one surface parameter is provided along with a set of volatilities for a plurality of options on the underlying financial instrument. The set of volatilities is analyzed to determine an initial value for each surface parameter which in the surface model defines a surface approximating the set of volatilities. The values of the surface parameters are evolved using an appropriate evolution function and a volatility value for a particular option is extracted from the volatility surface. The extracted volatility value can be used in an option pricing model to provide a price of the particular option. The volatility of a basket options valued relative to the performance of multiple components can be simulated by determining the value of surface parameters for options on the component securities and combining the component surface parameters to determine surface parameters for a volatility surface of the basket.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to managing and sharing data between web accessed calculators. The systems include a data store to persist calculator inputs and outputs and share them with other calculators and with customer service representatives.

Abstract: A video of a negotiable instrument may be provided from a user to a financial institution so that an image of the negotiable instrument may be obtained from the video and deposited in a user's bank account. In an implementation, a user may use a device such as a video camera, a web camera, or a video-enabled phone to convert an endorsed check into a video data file by making a video of the check and storing the video in a video data file. The user may send the video data file to the financial institution, where it may be processed and deposited in an account associated with the user. Any technique for sending a video data file to the financial institution may be used.

Abstract: A system loads, authenticates and uses a virtual smart card for payment of goods and/or services purchased on-line over the Internet. An online purchase and load (OPAL) server includes a virtual smart card data base that has a record of information for each smart card that it represents for a user at the behest of an issuer. The server includes a smart card emulator that emulates a smart card by using the card data base and a hardware security module. The emulator interacts with a pseudo card reader module in the server that imitates a physical card reader. The server also includes a client code module that interacts with the pseudo card reader and a remote payment or load server. A pass-through client terminal presents a user interface and passes information between the OPAL server and a merchant server, and between the OPAL server and a bank server. The Internet provides the routing functionality between the client terminal and the various servers. A merchant advertises goods on a web site.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing Risk associated with a financial account initiated by an intermediary institution. Risk related information descriptive of a customer of the intermediary can be registered with a neutral entity and a certification can be generated that is associated with the customer and includes the registered information. An instruction can be received to convey the certification associated with the customer to a Primary Financial Institution after which the certification can be conveyed to the Primary Financial Institution.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for monitoring financial information and executing financial transactions are disclosed. A client side interface comprises a number of panels, which are constructed byway of applications from various data sources. The panels can be customized as to content and appearance on the client, and the interface can be any one of a number of interfaces, including web pages, email interfaces and alert interfaces. The data sources are further provided, at least in part, by way of a value added content provider system, which comprises creating, editing and publishing interfaces.

Abstract: Images of a plurality of checks to be presented for payment may be captured through the use of a check sleeve. The check sleeve includes check-holding mechanism to hold one or more checks in place in the sleeve, and contains various types of markings or other features that allow an image of the sleeve to be oriented, and to allow the portion of the image that represents a check to be distinguished from portions of the image that do not represent a check. One or more algorithms may be used to distinguish check from non-check portions of the image, and to orient the image. The check sleeves may have one or more barcodes imprinted thereon, which may encode various types of information.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a user to select a healthcare services package is disclosed where a central server generally receives personal information data from the user over the Internet regarding the user's preferences with respect to healthcare service providers and the user's sponsor, i.e., the party responsible for paying for all or part of the user's healthcare costs (such as an employer, an insurance company or the user himself). The server thereafter provides a list comprising a plurality of healthcare service providers and information regarding the healthcare service providers (e.g., specialty, rate, location, hospital affiliation, etc.) to the user for selection by the user of a healthcare services panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for facilitating the transfer of information relating to risk management, such as, for example information directed towards compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act and certification of a foreign correspondent bank. Generally, the a foreign bank or other entity can provide a risk management clearinghouse with information relating to compliance with government requirements, or other information, and allow the risk management clearinghouse to convey to information in whole or in part to interested parties. Centralized distribution of certification related information can facilitate consistent and accurate compliance with government related requirements.

Abstract: A message routing system that allows applications at either end of the system to run as-is without modification. The system functions in a multithreaded environment and is capable of handling complex routing rules and message transformation. It is also capable of learning and executing new routing rules and message transformations in formats previously unrecognized by the system. The system enables precise and reliable logging of messages throughout processing and supports publication of enterprise-wide broadcast messages. The system further preferably employs cooperating inbound and outbound transport processes for consuming, routing, processing, safely storing and publishing messages in batches of logical units of work to ensure that the logical units of work are not lost in system transactions. The system also preferably utilizes a replay server for preserving and replaying messages that might otherwise fail to reach their intended destinations.

Abstract: Images of a plurality of checks to be presented for payment may be captured through the use of a check sleeve. The check sleeve includes check-holding mechanism to hold one or more checks in place in the sleeve, and contains various types of markings or other features that allow an image of the sleeve to be oriented, and to allow the portion of the image that represents a check to be distinguished from portions of the image that do not represent a check. One or more algorithms may be used to distinguish check from non-check portions of the image, and to orient the image. The check sleeves may have one or more barcodes imprinted thereon, which may encode various types of information.

Abstract: A message routing system that allows applications at either end of the system to run as-is without modification. The system functions in a multithreaded environment and is capable of handling complex routing rules and message transformation. It is also capable of learning and executing new routing rules and message transformations in formats previously unrecognized by the system. The system enables precise and reliable logging of messages throughout processing and supports publication of enterprise-wide broadcast messages. The system further preferably employs cooperating inbound and outbound transport processes for consuming, routing, processing, safely storing and publishing messages in batches of logical units of work to ensure that the logical units of work are not lost in system transactions. The system also preferably utilizes a replay server for preserving and replaying messages that might otherwise fail to reach their intended destinations.

Abstract: A comprehensive set of data pertaining to a user is gathered from various sources and analyzed. A financial plan is generated and provided to the user. The user may set financial goals and monitor progress towards achieving the goals, and may set and monitor probabilities of success of achieving the goals. The financial plan may take into account the financial goals and probabilities of success, and may be revised to reflect changes in the financial goals and probabilities of success. In an implementation, a user may be provided with information pertaining to how their finances, financial plan, goals, and probabilities of success compare to a selected population group.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method of structuring a credit having a repayment obligation is provided, including: setting an expected maturity date and a final maturity date for the credit; requiring that the repayment obligation be met by the expected maturity date unless at least one predefined event occurs; and requiring that the repayment obligation be met by the final maturity date to the extent that the repayment obligation is not met by the expected maturity date. In another embodiment a method of structuring a bond issued by a bond issuer, wherein the bond has associated therewith a repayment obligation, is provided, including: setting an expected payment date and a legal maturity date for the bond; requiring that the bond issuer establish revenue rates sufficient to pay the repayment obligation by the expected payment date; and deferring the payment of the repayment obligation as late as the legal maturity date to the extent that the repayment obligation is not met by the expected payment date.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security device for data carriers which may be or is secured onto or within a data carrier or its housing, and in which data may be exchanged, especially bidirectionally, with the security device, by means of a read/write device especially provided for the data carrier. The invention furthermore relates to a data carrier, especially optical data carriers with such a security device, as well as a process for securing data carriers against unauthorized copying, wherein data recorded on an electronic security device installed upon or in a data carrier, are processed by the security device and the outcome of such processing is read out from the security device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems and methods for providing optimal hedge portfolios that minimize single stock idiosyncratic risk for a given level of transactional costs. This is accomplished by deriving hedge portfolios with the maximum effective n for various levels of transaction costs. In one exemplary embodiment the maximum effective n portfolios are derived by starting with a sample portfolio, such as a capital weighted index, and using a hill climbing algorithm to iteratively modify the sample portfolio to map out the optimal effective n portfolios.