Patents Assigned to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
-
Patent number: 7174313Abstract: Described herein is method of managing an investment portfolio having a plurality of investment funds, said managing method comprising establishing an allocation of assets among said investment funds and rebalancing said investment funds substantially back to said allocation on a periodic basis. Also described is a method wherein the rebalancing back to the allocation is initiated in response to a transaction, such as a withdrawal loan issue, or change in allocation, in one or more of the funds.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & SmithInventor: Edmund Martinez
-
Patent number: 6269346Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of stock option accounts each for a plurality of participants. The system invokes a particular option plan defined in the system that governs the transaction choices available to each participant. The governing option plans are defined by the sponsoring company in terms of grant, vest and expiration date for the option contracts, and are defined in the system via a database of option holding information for each participant and an axiomatic rule system defining the criteria under which a given participant can exercise given options under the particular plan. The system implements the plans for multiple client companies providing several distinct modes for option exercise by the participant.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & SmithInventors: John Cristofich, Susan Warner, Deborah Howard, Karen Berkley
-
Patent number: 6173270Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of stock option accounts each for a plurality of participants. The system invokes a particular option plan defined in the system that governs the transaction choices available to each participants The governing option plans are defined by the sponsoring company in terms of grant, vest and expiration date for the option contracts, and are defined in the system via a database of option holding information for each participant and an axiomatic rule system defining the criteria under which a given participant can exercise given options under the particular plan. The system implements the plans for multiple client companies providing several distinct modes for option exercise by the participant.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1997Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & SmithInventors: John Cristofich, Susan Warner, Deborah Howard, Karen Berkley, Eric Radcliffe
-
Patent number: 6108641Abstract: A computer system for managing a plurality of accounts, each of the accounts being separated into a master account and at least one subaccount associated therewith, and at least one subaccount being a medical savings account (MSA). Each subaccount incorporates a subset of features available for the master account, the features corresponding to the specific needs dictated by the purpose of the subaccount. The purpose of a subaccount, in addition to being an MSA, can include regular payments (e.g., mortgage and other loans), credit/debit card, retirement account, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & SmithInventors: Janine S. Kenna, Patrick B. Butler, Thomas Musmanno, Kelly Ur
-
Patent number: 6044371Abstract: The invention provides a calendar interface system associated with a host computer for returning date-compliant data to an application running remotely from the host and requesting date data and a method for modifying such systems to be date compliant.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1997Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & SmithInventors: Garry Person, Ilze Marovskis
-
Patent number: 5978779Abstract: The invention provides a system and device for integrating and structuring the relationships of a financial services provider (FSP) with its clients and with third parties (counterparties) with which the FSP transacts business. Preferably, each entity with which the FSP transacts business, preferably also including entities internal to the FSP, is assigned a unique, non-intelligent identifier (CCID), and a relationship is established between each identifier and at least on other entity likewise identified. The system allows the FSP's users to seamlessly access information and transact business with all entities regardless of whether such entities are clients or third party providers (such as money managers). The system can be implemented on a network system.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & SmithInventors: Derek N. Stein, Arthur L. Thomas, Mark Alexander
-
Patent number: 5950175Abstract: A data processing system for managing a plurality of discrete accounts. Each account provides a swap between a property holder and the plan manager wherein the holder dilutes their exposure to the real estate market by exchanging future appreciation of the property for a current cash flow stream. The system thereafter implements the packaging of plural accounts into baskets of real estate assets and sells this real estate exposure to the institutional market. The data processor retains a system equilibrium by continuously updating the relative positions and the control parameters influencing these positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1994Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedInventor: Clive H. Austin
-
Patent number: 5878258Abstract: A novel computer workstation interface program provides for subordination of select operating system and application commands. The system permits a seamless integration of distinct applications with a common context controller that permits inter-application communication regarding the operating environment. System resources are managed to insure critical operations retain priority, while permitting access to resources as they are freed by the system.The workstation enhances user productivity by creating a work environment orchestrated around task and function rather than specific application and file paradigms.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & SmithInventors: Anthony C. Pizi, Paul Kanevsky
-
Patent number: 5297032Abstract: A work station for use by a trader of securities on an established market. The work station is integrated into a network of competing market makers for a plurality of securities for trading. A centralized database provides a feed of data on current market events for the securities, including price and transaction data. The work station is specifically programmed to receive the feed of data from the database and convert this datastream into a form conducive to enhanced trading. Seven separate applications permit the trader to track the market, select securities, bid and ask pricing, market direction and market depth. Traders equipped with the workstation are capable of entering transactions with more complete and copious knowledge about the extant market.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1991Date of Patent: March 22, 1994Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedInventors: Donald R. Trojan, Edward F. Keenan, III, Henry Hyatt
-
Patent number: 4774663Abstract: Data processing for an improved securities brokerage-cash management system supervises, implements and coordinates a margin securities brokerage account; participation in one or more short term investments; and subscriber unilaterally initiated use of charge, debit or checking instruments. Subscriber expenditures, effected as by charge card use, check and/or cash advance are applied on a hierarchal basis, seriatim, against the subscriber's free credit balance, short term investment and the lendable equity in his securities account. On a periodic basis, e.g., daily, received card charges, check, securities and deposit transactions for the ensemble of account participants are verified and employed to compute an updated credit limit for each subscriber.In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the short term investments available to subscribers include an ordered ensemble of insured savings accounts.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1983Date of Patent: September 27, 1988Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedInventors: Thomas E. Musmanno, Joseph A. Marrone, Laura Carey
-
Patent number: 4674044Abstract: Data processing based apparatus makes an automated trading market for one or more securities. The system retrieves the best obtaining bid and asked prices from a remote data base, covering the ensemble of institutions or others making a market for the relevant securities. Data characterizing each securities buy/sell order requested by a customer is supplied to the system. The order is qualified for execution by comparing its specifics against predetermined stored parameters. The stored parameters include the operative bid and asked prices, the amount of stock available for customer purchase or sale, and maximum single order size.Once qualified, the order is executed and the appropriate parameters are updated. The system provides inventory (position) control and profit accounting for the market maker. Finally, the system reports the executed trade details to the customer, and to national stock price reporting systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1985Date of Patent: June 16, 1987Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.Inventors: Leslie P. Kalmus, Donald R. Trojan, Bradley Mott, John Strampfer
-
Patent number: 4597046Abstract: Data processing for an improved securities brokerage/cash management system supervises, implements and coordinates a margin securities brokerage account; a participation in one or more short term money market or comparable funds; and subscriber-initiated use of electronically responsive subscriber identity credit/debit media and/or checking systems. Subscriber expenditures, effected as by "charge card" check and/or cash advance are applied on a hierarchal basis, seriatim, against the subscriber's free credit balance, short term investment and the lendable equity in his securities account. On a periodic basis, e.g., daily, received card charges, check, securities and deposit transactions for the ensemble of account participants are verified and employed to compute an updated credit limit for each subscriber. The short term investment position of each account is modified as necessary to permit money market or comparable earned yields on the account free credit cash balance.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1982Date of Patent: June 24, 1986Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & SmithInventors: Thomas E. Musmanno, Carlos F. Bilbao
-
Patent number: 4376978Abstract: Data processing for an improved securities brokerage/cash management system supervises, implements and coordinates a margin securities brokerage account; participation in one or more short term money market or comparable funds; and subscriber-initiated use of electronically responsive subscriber identity credit/debit media and/or checking systems. Subscriber expenditures, effected as by "charge card" use, check and/or cash advance are applied on a hierarchal basis, seriatim, against the subscriber's free credit balance, short term investment and the lendable equity in his securities account. On a periodic basis, e.g., daily, received card charges, check, securities and deposit transactions for the ensemble of account participants are verified and employed to compute an updated credit limit for each subscriber. The transactional data is reviewed against predetermined norms to detect abuses such as check kiting.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1980Date of Patent: March 15, 1983Assignee: Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & SmithInventor: Thomas E. Musmanno
-
Patent number: 4346442Abstract: Data processing for an improved securities brokerage/cash management system supervises, implements and coordinates a margin securities brokerage account; participation in one or more short term money market or comparable funds; and subscriber-initiated use of electronically responsive subscriber identity credit/debit media and/or checking systems. Subscriber expenditures, effected as by "charge card" use, check and/or cash advance are applied on a hierarchal basis, seriatim, against the subscriber's free credit balance, short term investment and the lendable equity in his securities account. On a periodic basis, e.g., daily, received card charges, check, securities and deposit transactions for the ensemble of account participants are verified and employed to compute an updated credit limit for each subscriber. The transactional data is reviewed against predetermined norms to detect abuses such as check kiting.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1980Date of Patent: August 24, 1982Assignee: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedInventor: Thomas E. Musmanno