Patents Assigned to Metabank
  • Patent number: 8666886
    Abstract: A consumer is prequalified for a line of credit attached to a checking account by a lending institution computer responsive to consumer underwriting data. The lending institution computer makes available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed payment from the checking account. When the line of credit is accessed, the checking account is credited with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed payment. Next, a new value for the line of credit balance available is determined, accounting for value credited to the checking account and a preselected loan advance fee for each loan increment credited to the account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventors: Rebecca Ahlers, Andrew B. Crowe, Scott H. Galit, Trent Sorbe
  • Publication number: 20140052625
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include transfer account systems, computer program products, and associated computer-implemented methods of providing prioritized payments from the proceeds of automatic or direct deposits. Embodiments of the present invention include routing automatic deposit information to a financial institution computer managing a prioritized payment program and formulating an outgoing ACH file with both an entry for an automatic deposit destined for a customer account and an entry for a pre-authorized prioritized payment to a select creditor, so that the automatic deposit is credited to the customer account and relatively instantaneously any prioritized payment is debited from the customer account. According to embodiments of the present invention, the customer account can be a checking, deposit, savings, money market, or other account as understood by those skilled in the art, so that a customer has effective access through the customer account only to a net value of funds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: MetaBank
    Inventors: Trent Sorbe, Troy Larson
  • Patent number: 8589295
    Abstract: A financial institution computer maintains a list of account identifiers for accounts enrolled in a prioritized payment program including pre-authorization of certain payment requests by select creditors. The computer estimates a value of prioritized payments and authorizes a sweep payment to the customer account from a stand-in account at a payroll processor, so that the estimated value is held back in the stand-in account. The financial institution computer then receives an incoming ACH file, including an automatic deposit destined for the customer account. The computer generates an outgoing ACH file with both an entry for an automatic deposit destined for the customer account and an entry for a pre-authorized prioritized payment to a select creditor, so that the automatic deposit is credited and relatively instantaneously any prioritized payment is debited from the customer account. The customer account can be, for example, a demand deposit account or a prepaid card account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventors: Trent Sorbe, Troy Larson
  • Patent number: 8583515
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include transfer account systems, computer program products, and associated computer-implemented methods of providing prioritized payments from the proceeds of automatic or direct deposits. Embodiments of the present invention include routing automatic deposit information to a financial institution computer managing a prioritized payment program and formulating an outgoing ACH file with both an entry for an automatic deposit destined for a customer account and an entry for a pre-authorized prioritized payment to a select creditor, so that the automatic deposit is credited to the customer account and relatively instantaneously any prioritized payment is debited from the customer account. According to embodiments of the present invention, the customer account can be a checking, deposit, savings, money market, or other account as understood by those skilled in the art, so that a customer has effective access through the customer account only to a net value of funds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventors: Trent Sorbe, Troy Larson
  • Patent number: 8538879
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, program products, and methods of loading a loan on a pre-paid card. A bank receives authorization from a lender to credit loan proceeds from the lender to an approved borrower on an existing pre-paid card associated with the pre-paid card processor. Next, the bank credits the loan proceeds to the pre-paid card processor for the existing pre-paid card so that the loan proceeds are released to the approved borrower and are immediately available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventors: Scott H. Galit, Trent Sorbe
  • Publication number: 20130232080
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a private label promotion card as a bank product, being issued and managed by the bank and using an open payment network for purchase authorization and payments. A bank computer processes activation information for a promotion card and receives funds into an account at the bank on behalf of a retailer for payment for the promotion card, perhaps at a discount to a customer value of the promotion card. The bank computer authorizes purchase requests to use one or more activated promotion cards as payment for a consumer purchase from the retailer via an open payment network and transfers funds to the open payment network to satisfy the authorized consumer purchase. Upon expiration, the bank computer sweeps the account of the remaining value for expired promotion cards to thereby establish a credit for the bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: METABANK
    Inventor: Scott H. Galit
  • Publication number: 20130218695
    Abstract: Systems, program product, apparatus and method for transmitting and processing the sale of a transaction card product over an existing payment network using partial authorization messaging, are provided. An example of such a system can include a merchant POS apparatus equipped to support partial authorization messaging, a transaction card issuer server in communication therewith, and a transaction card product. The transaction card product can include a conventional transaction card securely wrapped within a tamper evident container that can carry its own magnetic strip. The container magnetic strip can store an assigned unique card identifier linked to, but different from, the card identifier normally associated with the card. The container card identifier stored in the container magnetic strip is compatible with the merchant POS card reader and is usable to activate the card without the merchant or consumer having access to the card, the card identifier, or the card magnetic strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: METABANK
    Inventor: METABANK
  • Publication number: 20130218658
    Abstract: Machines, computer program products, and computer-implemented methods to manage and control a loyalty rewards network and to provide customer loyalty rewards to a customer for purchasing goods or services. Computer program product can determine if a customer is one of the plurality of member customers enrolled in the loyalty rewards network. If the customer is not a member, the computer program product can enroll the customer in the loyalty rewards network. As a purchase are made by member customers thereafter, the member customer swipes or otherwise enters a loyalty reward card number and the computer accumulates and stores loyalty rewards network data representative of the member customer's purchasing behavior. Upon accumulating sufficient loyalty rewards pursuant to collection parameters, the member customers can select one or more of the available loyalty reward actions and the computer program product can implement the selected one or more loyalty rewards action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: METABANK
    Inventor: METABANK
  • Publication number: 20130218718
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services, or other products, through messaging over a financial services electronic payment network, are provided. A customer provides electronic order registration activation information for an electronic order transaction card. The customer is provided an electronic order card having a unique electronic payment network compatible electronic order card identifier including a non-financial transaction IIN and a customer number, and is provided a catalogue or list including product order codes each associated with a different product, to enable electronic ordering over the financial services electronic payment network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: METABANK
    Inventor: Metabank
  • Patent number: 8494960
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, program products, and methods of loading a loan on a pre-paid card. A bank receives authorization from a lender to credit loan proceeds from the lender to an approved borrower on a pre-paid card associated with the pre-paid card processor so that release of the loan proceeds is pending an activation of a pre-paid card. Next, the bank receives notice of an activation of a pre-paid card associated with the pre-paid card processor responsive to an activation request on behalf of the approved borrower. Then the bank credits the pending loan proceeds to the pre-paid card processor for the activated pre-paid card so that the loan proceeds are released to the approved borrower and are immediately available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventors: Scott H. Galit, Trent Sorbe
  • Patent number: 8485441
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, computer program product, and related computer implemented methods to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card including a user-designed external face using a chit, the chit being defined by an identification mechanism representing a financial commitment to issue a closed-loop retail prepaid card in an amount associated with a value paid for the chit, are provided. Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a service that enables a consumer to purchase, at the storefront of a retail establishment, a chit card that the consumer can subsequently redeem through a graphical user interface of an Internet website for a closed-loop retail prepaid card with a user-designed external face. The user-designed closed-loop retail prepaid card, for example, can be subsequently printed and delivered to an intended recipient. Advantageously, such a service can be made available to any retail establishment that uses a point-of-sale system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventor: Jason Brooks
  • Publication number: 20130179339
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include transfer account systems, computer program products, and associated computer-implemented methods of providing prioritized payments from the proceeds of automatic or direct deposits. Embodiments of the present invention include routing automatic deposit information to a financial institution computer managing a prioritized payment program and formulating an outgoing ACH file with both an entry for an automatic deposit destined for a customer account and an entry for a pre-authorized prioritized payment to a select creditor, so that the automatic deposit is credited to the customer account and relatively instantaneously any prioritized payment is debited from the customer account. According to embodiments of the present invention, the customer account can be a prepaid card account so that a customer has effective access on the prepaid card only to a net value of funds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: METABANK
    Inventor: METABANK
  • Patent number: 8452662
    Abstract: A prepaid card processor receives data for a line of credit for a prepaid card from a lending institution computer. The prepaid card processor makes available draws to the line of credit line on behalf of the lending institution computer in an authorization stream for a proposed purchase using the prepaid card as payment. When the line of credit is accessed, the processor loads the prepaid card with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the prepaid card then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed purchase. Then the processor notifies the lending institution so that the line of credit balances on the lending institution computer and the prepaid card processor are kept in sync.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventors: Rebecca Ahlers, Andrew B. Crowe, Scott H. Galit, Trent Sorbe
  • Publication number: 20130110706
    Abstract: A consumer is prequalified for a line of credit attached to a checking account by a lending institution computer responsive to consumer underwriting data. The lending institution computer makes available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed payment from the checking account. When the line of credit is accessed, the checking account is credited with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed payment. Next, a new value for the line of credit balance available is determined, accounting for value credited to the checking account and a preselected loan advance fee for each loan increment credited to the account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: METABANK
    Inventor: METABANK
  • Patent number: 8429074
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a private label promotion card as a bank product, being issued and managed by the bank and using an open payment network for purchase authorization and payments. A bank computer processes activation information for a promotion card and receives funds into an account at the bank on behalf of a retailer for payment for the promotion card, perhaps at a discount to a customer value of the promotion card. The bank computer authorizes purchase requests to use one or more activated promotion cards as payment for a consumer purchase from the retailer via an open payment network and transfers funds to the open payment network to satisfy the authorized consumer purchase. Upon expiration, the bank computer sweeps the account of the remaining value for expired promotion cards to thereby establish a credit for the bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventor: Scott H. Galit
  • Patent number: 8407100
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and program product for facilitating electronic ordering of goods, services, or goods and services, or other products, through messaging over a financial services electronic payment network, are provided. A customer provides electronic order registration activation information for an electronic order transaction card. The customer is provided an electronic order card having a unique electronic payment network compatible electronic order card identifier including a non-financial transaction IIN and a customer number, and is provided a catalogue or list including product order codes each associated with a different product, to enable electronic ordering over the financial services electronic payment network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventor: Eric D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8403211
    Abstract: Systems, program product, apparatus and method for transmitting and processing the sale of a transaction card product over an existing payment network using partial authorization messaging, are provided. An example of such a system can include a merchant POS apparatus equipped to support partial authorization messaging, a transaction card issuer server in communication therewith, and a transaction card product. The transaction card product can include a conventional transaction card securely wrapped within a tamper evident container that can carry its own magnetic strip. The container magnetic strip can store an assigned unique card identifier linked to, but different from, the card identifier normally associated with the card. The container card identifier stored in the container magnetic strip is compatible with the merchant POS card reader and is usable to activate the card without the merchant or consumer having access to the card, the card identifier, or the card magnetic strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventors: Jason Brooks, Mike Wells
  • Publication number: 20130066702
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a private label promotion card as a bank product, being issued and managed by the bank and using an open payment network for purchase authorization and payments. A bank computer processes activation information for a promotion card and receives funds into an account at the bank on behalf of a retailer for payment for the promotion card, perhaps at a discount to a customer value of the promotion card. The bank computer authorizes purchase requests to use one or more activated promotion cards as payment for a consumer purchase from the retailer via an open payment network and transfers funds to the open payment network to satisfy the authorized consumer purchase. Upon expiration, the bank computer sweeps the account of the remaining value for expired promotion cards to thereby establish a credit for the bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: METABANK
    Inventor: Metabank
  • Patent number: 8392299
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include transfer account systems, computer program products, and associated computer-implemented methods of providing prioritized payments from the proceeds of automatic or direct deposits. Embodiments of the present invention include routing automatic deposit information to a financial institution computer managing a prioritized payment program and formulating an outgoing ACH file with both an entry for an automatic deposit destined for a customer account and an entry for a pre-authorized prioritized payment to a select creditor, so that the automatic deposit is credited to the customer account and relatively instantaneously any prioritized payment is debited from the customer account. According to embodiments of the present invention, the customer account can be a prepaid card account so that a customer has effective access on the prepaid card only to a net value of funds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventors: Trent Sorbe, Troy Larson
  • Patent number: 8392330
    Abstract: A financial institution computer maintains one or more lists of account identifiers for accounts enrolled in a prioritized payment program including pre-authorization of certain payment requests by select creditors. The computer estimates a value of one or more prioritized payments associated with a first account and authorizes a first sweep payment to a second account at a second financial institution from a third stand-in account at a payroll processor, so that the estimated value is held back in the stand-in account. Then the computer receives an automatic deposit associated with an account identifier for a first account. The financial institution computer generates prioritized payments from the first account to select creditors and generates a second sweep payment, if necessary, from the first account to the second account, responsive to the incoming automatic deposit. The second account can be, for example, a demand deposit account or a prepaid card account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventors: Trent Sorbe, Troy Larson