Abstract: A system and method for initiating electronic payments based on paper cheques, including a paying party chip-and-PIN terminal arranged to input cleartext data including a cheque number and an amount from a cheque issued by a first bank, at which the paying party has an account, and generating from it encoded data using a key, for the user to write on the cheque; and a computer associated with the first bank, arranged to accept, from a paid party via the internet, data defining a second bank and an account at the second bank, associated with the paid party; accepting, from the paid party, the cleartext data and the encoded data from the cheque, and validating the cleartext data from the cheque using the encoded data and the key; and initiating an electronic funds transfer from the first bank to the second bank of the amount specified on the cheque.

Abstract: A system for processing mobile payment transactions is described, the system includes a mobile electronic device having a mobile wallet module for initiating payment transactions from a mobile payment account associated with a payment service provider and operable to communicate with the payment service provider via a data network to settle the payment transaction. The mobile electronic device receives and stores data defining an off-line enabled merchant interface when the mobile electronic device is connected to the data network, processes an off-line payment transaction through the stored merchant interface when the mobile electronic device is not connected to the data network, and communicates details of the off-line payment transaction to the payment service provider when the mobile electronic device is re-connected to the data network.

Abstract: A system and method for processing an online application for a payment instrument is described, in which user details are received, a payment instrument is assigned based on the received user details, wherein the payment instrument is associated with unique identifying data, and the user is informed of the assigned payment instrument by transmitting a first portion of said unique identifying data via a first communication channel, and transmitting a second portion of said unique identifying data via a second communication channel different to the first communication channel.

Abstract: A method and system are described for tracking a process of provisioning, by a middleware server to a portable device in a mobile payment system, electronic wallet data for authorizing a payment transaction. In an embodiment, a user request for a payment account product is transmitted by the portable device to the middleware server. In response, the middleware server initiates a provisioning process for the requested payment account product, including storing status data indicative of an initiated state of the provisioning process. The middleware server then transmits a digital document to the portable device, including information that must be viewed by the user, and updates the status data indicative of a transmitted state of the digital document. In response to receiving an indication that the digital document has been viewed, the middleware server updates the stored status data indicative of a digital document viewed state.

Abstract: A method and system are described for tracking a process of provisioning, by a middleware server to a portable device in a mobile payment system, electronic wallet data for authorizing a payment transaction. In an embodiment, a user request for a payment account product is transmitted by the portable device to the middleware server. In response, the middleware server initiates a provisioning process for the requested payment account product, including storing status data indicative of an initiated state of the provisioning process. The middleware server then transmits a digital document to the portable device, including information that must be viewed by the user, and updates the status data indicative of a transmitted state of the digital document. In response to receiving an indication that the digital document has been viewed, the middleware server updates the stored status data indicative of a digital document viewed state.

Abstract: A method for automatic trading of foreign exchange currencies including the steps of: receiving first signals at an order receiver based on one or more orders for foreign exchange currency trades; sending second signals from an order configuration tool that provides for selection of a preferred execution method for each of the foreign exchange trades using an algorithm; and executing each of the foreign exchange trades based on received third signals relating to a respective determined preferred execution method.

Abstract: A method of protecting at least a portion of an initial investment value of an investment made by one or more investors, comprising the steps of: (a) determining using an option-based instrument calculator: (i) a first value of a first set of put option-based instruments at initial investment in the first set of put option-based instruments, the first set of put option-based instruments having a first underlying reference; (ii) a second value of a first set of call option-based instruments at initial investment in the first set of call option-based instruments, the first set of call option-based instruments having a second underlying reference, the first underlying reference being the same as or substantially correlated to the second underlying reference; and (iii) a third value of a second set of option-based instruments at initial investment in the second set of option-based instruments, the second set of option-based instruments having a third underlying reference; so that the sum of the first value, the s

Abstract: An encryption service system comprises an API for receiving requests from one or more calling applications. Each request comprises information identifying the operations to be performed on data to be processed and information identifying the origin and target of the data. The encryption service system further comprises a cryptographic server for processing the requests and determining, for each request, an encryption policy to be applied.

Abstract: A method for formulating a synthetic currency including the steps of borrowing an amount of funds in at least one first currency at a first interest rate, converting a portion of the borrowed funds to at least one second currency, investing the portion of the borrowed funds in an investment that pays interest which covers at least a portion of cost of borrowing the borrowed funds in the first currency, and providing a third currency based on the remaining portion of the borrowed funds.

Abstract: An aspect comprises a computer readable memory that stores information regarding a first derivatives transaction between a first entity and a second entity; and a processor unit that calculates, based on the information regarding the first derivatives transaction, one or more parameters for each of a second derivatives transaction and a third derivatives transaction; wherein the second derivatives transaction is between a clearing entity and the first entity, and the third derivatives transaction is between the clearing entity and the second entity; wherein the second derivatives transaction provides a substantially similar effect to the first entity as the first derivatives transaction; wherein the third derivatives transaction provides a substantially similar effect to the second entity as the first derivatives transaction; wherein the clearing entity is a limited recourse central counterparty, and wherein the processor unit comprises one or more processors.

Abstract: A method of registering a note with a governmental authority including filing a prospectus supplement including detailed descriptions of a plurality of asset classes and a plurality of transaction structures and incorporating by reference a base prospectus, wherein the base prospectus includes an identification of one or more types of securities available from an issuer of the note and characteristics of the issuer.

Abstract: A smart card (1) interfaces with a smart card reader (2) to generate an authentication message (PSRQ), which is sent to a PIN servicing centre (5, 6). If the authentication message (PSRQ) is validated by the PIN servicing centre (5, 6), a validation response message (PSRS) is sent back to the user (3). The user (3) enters the validation response message (PSRS) on the reader (2), which authenticates the validation response message (PSRS) with the smart card (1); the PIN servicing function may then be performed. The smart card cryptographic messages are generated internally and solely by the smart card (1)—the reader (2) acts merely as an input mechanism into the smart card (1) or as an output mechanism from the smart card (1) to the display (10). The reader (2), therefore, does not need to contain any customer information or be personalised by the card issuer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of iso-propanol by liquid phase hydrogenation of acetone to iso-propanol in at least two hydrogenation reaction stages, each reaction stage comprising a hydrogenation reaction zone, wherein the hydrogenation reaction product leaving the reaction zone of the first reaction stage contains unreacted acetone and a product stream comprising acetone and iso-propanol is transferred to the reaction zone of a subsequent reaction stage said product stream having at the inlet to the reaction zone of said subsequent reaction stage a temperature of 60 to 100° C., wherein the temperature of the product stream leaving the reaction zone of said subsequent reaction stage at the outlet from said reaction zone is at most 40° C. higher than the temperature of the product stream entering said reaction zone at the inlet to said reaction zone and the temperature in said subsequent reaction zone does not exceed 125° C.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for calculating and generating a predetermined payment obligation. A hypothetical portfolio of securities is selected having an initial value. A financial instrument is issued that references the hypothetical portfolio, the financial instrument having a fixed term. A guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit is deducted from a net asset value of the hypothetical portfolio on a periodic basis for the fixed term. The net asset value of the hypothetical portfolio is determined to be zero if the net asset value of the hypothetical portfolio falls below a predetermined amount of funds. An adjustment in the number of securities in the hypothetical portfolio is calculated with a computer on a periodic basis according to an algorithm, the algorithm taking into account at least one of a prevailing market value of the securities in the hypothetical portfolio and a net present value of an obligation to deduct the predetermined amount of funds until the end of the fixed term.

Abstract: A method of protecting at least a portion of an initial investment value of an investment made by an investor including the steps of: providing a business entity; electing the business entity to be treated as a regulated investment company; holding positions using the business entity in a set of put-option based instruments having a first underlying reference and a set of call-option based instruments having a second underlying reference, the first underlying reference being the same as or substantially correlated to the second underlying reference, so that the sets of put-option based instruments and call-option based instruments provide the at least a portion of the initial investment value at maturity of the investment; and making available the at least a portion of the initial investment value to the investor upon the maturity of the investment.

Abstract: A method of protecting at least a portion of an initial investment value of an investment made by an investor including the steps of: registering a C-corporation; electing the C-corporation to be treated as a regulated investment company; holding positions using the C-corporation in a set of put-option based instruments having a first underlying reference and a set of call-option based instruments having a second underlying reference, the first underlying reference being the same as or substantially correlated to the second underlying reference, so that the sets of put-option based instruments and call-option based instruments provide the at least a portion of the initial investment value at maturity of the investment; and making available the at least a portion of the initial investment value to the investor upon the maturity of the investment.