Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for investing funds from pre-paid payment accounts. Funds from accounts within a payment system are invested on behalf of account holders of the accounts. Funds are invested in accordance with a risk strategy defined for the payment system (e.g. defining investment amounts and financial assets for investment). Payments and/or gains from invested funds are disbursed to the accounts of the account holders. Payments and/or gains are disbursed in accordance with disbursement rules for the payment system (e.g., based on percentages).

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for payments using pre-paid accounts. Embodiments of the invention provide a single, universal payment method that cannot be physically stolen, that minimizes the risk of information theft, and which can be used to make both small and large payments. The universal payment method is more convenient, more efficient, and less expensive to use because it requires no exchange mechanism from one payment form to another. In addition, to the extent that prior-to-payment funds are controlled by the businesses to whom payment is to be made, the buying power is increased.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for payments using pre-paid accounts. Embodiments of the invention provide a single, universal payment method that cannot be physically stolen, that minimizes the risk of information theft, and which can be used to make both small and large payments. The universal payment method is more convenient, more efficient, and less expensive to use because it requires no exchange mechanism from one payment form to another. In addition, to the extent that prior-to-payment funds are controlled by the businesses to whom payment is to be made, the buying power is increased.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for investing funds from pre-paid payment accounts. Funds from accounts within a payment system are invested on behalf of account holders of the accounts. Funds are invested in accordance with a risk strategy defined for the payment system (e.g. defining investment amounts and financial assets for investment). Payments and/or gains from invested funds are disbursed to the accounts of the account holders. Payments and/or gains are disbursed in accordance with disbursement rules for the payment system (e.g., based on percentages).