Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a computer-implemented method comprising: (i) electronically receiving data describing one or more risk factors driving volatility of each of a plurality of securities comprised in a specified portfolio; (ii) for each of the plurality of securities, categorizing each of the risk factors as a random variable and identifying a distribution that best fits each risk factor's historical behavior; and generating a return distribution for the security, based on the best fit distributions; and (iii) aggregating the security return distributions to generate a return distribution for the specified portfolio. Other aspects and embodiments comprise analogous software and computer systems.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a computer system comprising means for displaying on a computer screen a chart illustrating level and volatility of a projected accounting performance based on a plurality of possible future interest rates, wherein the chart comprises a 50th percentile line, a 95th percentile line, and a 5th percentile line, and wherein the 50th percentile line, 95th percentile line, and 5th percentile line represent probability distribution over time of the projected accounting performance. In various embodiments: (1) for each of the one or more vertical bars, the uppermost dot represents a 95% best case for projected accounting performance and the lowermost dot represents a 95% worst case for projected accounting performance; and (2) the projected accounting performance comprises one or more of: net interest margin, interest expense, interest income, and present value.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises receiving data related to an underlying asset; calculating values corresponding to near-term implied volatility and realized volatility for the underlying asset; and transmitting data sufficient to describe an index based on a difference between the values corresponding to the near-term implied volatility and the realized volatility for the underlying asset. Another exemplary aspect comprises receiving electronic data related to an underlying asset; calculating data sufficient to describe a plurality of call options and a plurality of put options related to the underlying asset and written on a first settlement date; crediting an account with proceeds from selling the call and put options; and debiting the account to settle one or more of the options that are in-the-money on a second settlement date. Other aspects are apparent from the description and claims.

Abstract: A system is described where a routing server is configured to receive data packets from one or more servers on a computer network. Data packets may contain system event data that represent, for example, security events or system status. Each data packet is opened at the routing server and may be forwarded to one or more destination hosts depending on the contents of the data packet. Routing server compiles statistics on the source and destination of the data packets and periodically or in response to a command, writes the compiled statistics to a file.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention comprises a computer system for market making, comprising: (a) a computer component for receiving data identifying a user-specified basket of securities; (b) a database storing the data identifying a user-specified basket of securities and storing data describing inventory of a market maker; and (c) a computer component for calculating a swap price for the basket in light of the inventory, the calculating based at least in part on quote deflection related to the inventory. Other aspects comprise related methods and software.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a method comprising the steps of: (a) specifying a reference entity which is an obligor with respect to preferred securities; (b) defining a credit event to include deferral of dividend or coupon on the preferred securities; (c) specifying a payoff to include the preferred securities, the payoff to be made following the credit event; (d) specifying a premium; (e) executing an agreement with a protection buyer, wherein the agreement comprises terms based on the reference entity, the credit event, and the payoff, and wherein the protection buyer agrees to pay the premium in return for a promise to provide the payoff to the protection buyer upon occurrence of the credit event; and (f) receiving the premium from the protection buyer.

Abstract: A system and method for adding voice capability to an existing computer network having non-voice-ready routers is described. A radio broadcasting base station is connected to a voice activated relay, such that the relay activates or switches to a broadcast mode of the base station when a voice signal is received from the router.

Abstract: In at least one aspect, the invention comprises a computer-implemented method comprising: (1) receiving investment amounts for a first class of partnership units with a senior position, with a second class having a subordinate position, wherein either: (a) options on an underlying security are bought and/or sold into the partnership, or (b) the first class of partnership units has an embedded short option on an underlying security, and the second class has an embedded long option; and (2) paying coupon payments on the first class for a specified period of time, wherein the coupon payments comprise dividend payments received on shares of a dividend-paying portfolio, wherein the second class absorbs losses in the portfolio up to a first specified amount, and wherein the first class absorbs losses above the first specified amount. Other aspects of the invention comprise related structure, software, and system implementations.

Abstract: A system includes at least one developer device to create and/or modify at least one computer application to be deployed to an end device, the computer application defined by a manifest, the manifest including (a) at least one file fingerprint unique to a computer file associated with the computer application, and (b) metadata of the computer file, and at least one dispatch server to manage deployment/undeployment of the computer application.

Abstract: A computer-based framework for assessing risks embedded within variable annuity portfolios and a structure for quantifying component risk elements, bifurcating such risks across one or more hedging counterparties and utilizing rating agency methodologies for achieving an implied financial strength rating of one or more entities within a transaction structure and/or issuer credit rating of risk-linked securities issued by the entities within the structure for risk mitigation purposes.

Abstract: Zero-coupon swap indices are provided for tracking characteristics of nominal, inflation-linked liabilities and other aspects of swaps. A zero-coupon nominal swap index is based on a portfolio of assets consisting of a cash investment at a reference rate combined with a zero-coupon swap, where periodic payments can be exchanged for a single fixed cash flow at maturity. A zero-coupon inflation swap index is based on a portfolio of investments in a zero-coupon inflation swap, a zero-coupon nominal swap and cash invested at a reference rate. Periodic payments on the cash investment can be exchanged, in a zero-coupon nominal swap transaction, for a single fixed payment at maturity.

Abstract: A novel investment vehicle comprises a synthetic corporate exchangeable note linked to the equity return and credit of select third parties. A computer system creates, tracks and implements the investment vehicle in accord with program-controlled processing. A highly flexible, cost-efficient security is created having enhanced risk/return characteristics.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises a computer system comprising: (a) one or more servers that receive electronic data describing prices for a first category of futures positions; and (b) one or more processors that calculate an index value at a specified time based on one or more weighted price changes for said first category of futures positions, wherein said index value has a target exposure to one or more yields for said first category of futures positions. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the computer system further comprises one or more processors that receive electronic data describing prices for a second category of futures positions, wherein the index value at the specified time is based on one or more differences between weighted price changes for the first category of futures positions and the second category of futures positions. Other exemplary aspects comprise related methods and software.

Abstract: An event log management system includes an event log source to generate event log data associated with an asset of an electronic network, an event log database to store the event log data, an asset database to store asset information, and a log report generator to package the event log data into a log report based on the asset information stored in the asset database.

Abstract: In at least one aspect the invention comprises a computer-implemented method comprising: (a) electronically receiving data regarding characteristics of a plurality of tax exempt municipal bonds; (b) electronically receiving data describing a plurality of rules for inclusion of the tax exempt municipal bonds in a municipal bond index; (c) constructing a municipal bond index by applying the rules to characteristics of the plurality of tax exempt municipal bonds; and (d) quoting a municipal swap having a reference index, wherein the reference index is the municipal bond index. Other aspects comprise related computer systems and apparatuses, as well as various embodiments.

Abstract: In one aspect, an embodiment comprises a computer system comprising: (a) a computer readable memory that stores price information for a plurality of bonds; and (b) a processor unit that calculates a liquidity cost score for one or more of said plurality of bonds; wherein said liquidity cost score calculation is based on data regarding quoted bid price and quoted ask price if a bond is a quoted bond, wherein said liquidity cost score calculation is based on a regression analysis if a bond is a non-quoted bond, and wherein said processor unit comprises one or more processors.

Abstract: A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) proxy server is described. The VoIP proxy server is placed in a DMZ of a company's secure internal communication network. The VoIP proxy server receives VoIP control messages and VoIP media streams and based on the MAC address and source IP address contained in the control message, pushes a policy change to the internal network's external firewall to open call control protocol ports and Real Time Protocol (RTP) ports only for packets from the source IP address. The VoIP proxy server manages the hiding of the company's internal network address and directs incoming VoIP packets to an IP-PBX connected to the company's internal network.

Abstract: A secure remote access system includes client software installed on a portable computer that establishes a remote session with a counterpart server software installed on a server in a DMZ of the company's internal network through a secure tunnel. The DMZ server is connected to a router behind an enterprise second level firewall. The router routes the session to the appropriate desktop computer if the desktop is permitted remote access. A bandwidth limiter may be provided to balance the load through the router.

Abstract: A fault tolerant wireless system and method is disclosed that provides redundancy against a data center failure. Wireless connections are routed to a switch at a primary data center and forwarded through a gateway router, also located at the primary data center, to the internet. A backup switch and backup gateway router provides redundancy and are located at a backup data center geographically separate from the primary data center. The backup switch and backup gateway router provides an alternate path to the internet if the primary path fails. Both the primary switch and backup switch are assigned to the same subnet but the backup switch is advertised with an offset to favor routes through the primary switch.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a method comprising: (a) creating a partially redeemable offering note; (b) pricing the note; (c) issuing the note; and (d) redeeming the note. In another aspect, the invention comprises a method comprising: (a) buying a partially redeemable offering note issued by an issuer; and (b) receiving a first payment from the issuer for a first fraction between 0 and 1 of a notional amount of the note. In another aspect, the invention comprises a note with terms comprising: (a) a notional amount; (b) a schedule of two or more redemption dates; and (c) options for redeeming a percentage of the notional amount on at least two of the two or more redemption dates.