Abstract: A distributed system for commerce including a merchant system with a communication system for receiving, processing and transmitting data. The system further includes an intermediate server system in communication with the merchant system, and this intermediate server system includes a data storage system for storing data transmitted thereto, as well as a communication system for receiving, processing and transmitting data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for engaging in a transaction between a consumer and a merchant. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method and system for providing instant credit by a credit issuer to the consumer at a point-of-sale of the merchant. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method and system for identifying at least one optimal credit product from a plurality of credit products of at least one credit issuer to a consumer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method (100) of rating a consumer in connection with a transaction initiated by the consumer and requesting credit from a credit issuer (28). The method (100) includes the steps of: providing a merchant-based consumer/transaction data set (16) to a central credit issuer database (20); providing a third party credit history data set (24) to the central credit issuer database (20); providing a credit issuer credit history data set (30) to the central credit issuer database (20); determining a consumer rating index variable (12) based upon a scoring formula (34) utilizing at least one data field from the provided data sets; and presenting the consumer rating index variable (12) to the credit issuer (28). A system (10) and apparatus (50) for rating the consumer in connection with this transaction is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for identification verification between at least a pair of entities. The method includes the steps of: (a) specifying, by a first entity, at least one identification private credential attribute; and (c) incorporating the at least one identification private credential attribute in a communication between a second entity and the first entity. An apparatus and system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining transactional data between a consumer and a merchant engaged in a purchase transaction. This method includes the steps of: initiating or consummating a purchase transaction, such as an online credit transaction, between at least one consumer and at least one merchant; generating a transaction data set including a plurality of data fields populated with consumer data, merchant data, transaction data, purchase data or any combination thereof; processing the plurality of data fields of the transaction data; and presenting a purchase data set including at least one data field therein.

Abstract: A method for offering at least one credit product by at least one credit issuer to a consumer at a point-of-sale between a merchant and the consumer. The method includes the steps of: providing a credit issuer data set including a plurality of data fields to a central database; initiating a transaction between the consumer and the merchant at the point-of-sale; offering, to the consumer at the point-of-sale, the at least one credit product; and presenting, to the consumer at the point-of-sale, at least one data field in the credit issuer data set. The at least one data field presented to the consumer is populated with data directed to the credit product, the credit issuer, or any combination thereof. An apparatus and system are also disclosed.