Abstract: Financial methods and systems for using a financial instrument are disclosed. A financial account includes both a loan balance portion and a pre-paid cash balance portion. The loan balance portion and the pre-paid cash balance portion are used in performing a purchase transaction. The purchase transaction is initiated by the account holder using the financial instrument. A prioritization scheme is selected that indicates an order of priority of the loan balance portion and the pre-paid cash balance portion of a financial account. A purchase amount is applied to the financial account according to the prioritization scheme. A transaction fee is not charged by the financial institution when any portion of the loan balance portion is applied to the purchase amount. And, a transaction fee is charged by the financial institution when no portion of the loan balance portion is applied to the purchase amount.

Abstract: Financial methods and systems for using a financial instrument are disclosed. A financial account includes both a loan balance portion and a pre-paid cash balance portion. The loan balance portion and the pre-paid cash balance portion are used in performing a purchase transaction. The purchase transaction is initiated by the account holder using the financial instrument. A prioritization scheme is selected that indicates an order of priority of the loan balance portion and the pre-paid cash balance portion of a financial account. A purchase amount is applied to the financial account according to the prioritization scheme. A transaction fee is not charged by the financial institution when any portion of the loan balance portion is applied to the purchase amount. And, a transaction fee is charged by the financial institution when no portion of the loan balance portion is applied to the purchase amount.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for methods and systems for providing a financial instrument that possesses both credit features (secured and unsecured) and prepaid features. When a purchase is made using a financial instrument linked to an account, funds are first drawn from a line of credit until a credit limit is reached. Any additional funds required to make the purchase are then drawn from a secured account, such as a prepaid cash balance. In some embodiments, the additional funds are automatically drawn form the prepaid cash balance while in other embodiments an account holder manually transfers funds from the prepaid cash balance to the credit balance.

Abstract: A portfolio management system includes a method that uses multi-dimensional analysis to create a user group based on whatever characteristics the manager desires that would be the subject of a messaging campaign and that tracks user actions as a result of the messaging campaign. The method includes creating a user data set through multi-dimension analysis to define a user target base. Based on the data set, a messaging campaign is developed and one or various communication channels are selected to run the messaging campaign. A message campaign runs to target the user data set. Information is tracked from user actions after running the message campaign. Analysis of the tracked information can be generated into a report and can be used to create additional user data and messaging campaigns.

Abstract: A system for managing financial accounts includes one or more account holders. An account holder data structure is associated with one or more financial accounts. The financial accounts are defined to flexibly respond to the needs of the account holders. A balance is also associated with each of the one or more financial accounts, and an overdraft balance is associated with at least one of the one or more financial accounts. The balances, including the overdraft balance, are accessed through the accounts by one or more access methods, such as prepaid debit card or stored value financial cards. When a transaction initiated with an access method attempts to access an amount in a balance which exceeds the available amount of the balance, the access method accesses an amount in the overdraft balance through the overdraft account to complete the transaction.

Abstract: Methods and systems using voice recognition can obtain complex data from a database using simple data obtained from a user. The database associates and stores complex data with simple data. The interactive voice response system prompts the user for simple information, such as a phone number, which can be interpreted using voice recognition. The speech-obtained simple data is then matched with the simple data stored in the database. If a match is found, the complex data (e.g., a street address) stored with the simple data is communicated to the IVR system. The IVR system communicates the complex data to the user and prompts the user to confirm whether the complex data is accurate. The database can be a third-party database such as a computer accessible phone directory or a credit bureau.

Abstract: A method and system for providing telephone services. An exemplary system includes a financial account having at least one balance. Funds can be added to the balance of the account using a variety of deposit mechanisms. Similarly, the funds located in the account may be accessed using a variety of financial mechanisms, including a debit card, check, and the like. In addition, the funds located in the account may be accessed with a telephone, where transactions performed by the telephone, such as telephone calls, Internet access, and the like, are directly funded by the financial account.

Abstract: A method and system for providing telephone services. An exemplary system includes a financial account having at least one balance. Funds can be added to the balance of the account using a variety of deposit mechanisms. Similarly, the funds located in the account may be accessed using a variety of financial mechanisms, including a debit card, check, and the like. In addition, the funds located in the account may be accessed with a telephone, where transactions performed by the telephone, such as telephone calls, Internet access, and the like, are directly funded by the financial account.

Abstract: Methods and systems using voice recognition can obtain complex data from a database using simple data obtained from a user. The database associates and stores complex data with simple data. The interactive voice response system prompts the user for simple information, such as a phone number, which can be interpreted using voice recognition. The speech-obtained simple data is then matched with the simple data stored in the database. If a match is found, the complex data (e.g., a street address) stored with the simple data is communicated to the IVR system. The IVR system communicates the complex data to the user and prompts the user to confirm whether the complex data is accurate. The database can be a third-party database such as a computer accessible phone directory or a credit bureau.