Abstract: A computerized method for online trading of options is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an interface screen that shows market data and market data analysis useful to conduct a transaction and allows a user to input various transaction parameters, wherein the market data and market data analysis shown on the interface screen are continuously updated; dynamically receiving selected transaction parameters for an option from the user; calculating an option premium for the option based on the selected transaction parameters and the continuously updated market data; providing the dynamically calculated option premium to the user; receiving an on-line offer for purchasing the option from the user; and presenting the received offer to a seller of the option for acceptance or rejection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus use decision logic deployed on a reconfigurable logic device to process a stream of financial information at hardware speeds. The decision logic can be configured to perform data reduction operations on the financial information stream. Examples of such data reductions operations include data processing operations to compute a latest stock price, a minimum stock price, and a maximum stock price.

Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatus and methods of allowing one to use a handheld type calculator and/or computer based program having factory pre-set and preprogrammed color indicia buttons/keys to allow the user to easily and quickly do a variety of specialized calculations for financial planning results that include retirement planning, wealth accumulation, pension analysis, mortgage comparison shopping and funding future education.

Abstract: A computer-based system and a computer-implemented method for estimating costs of a business line included in a multi-line treaty, which can determine the estimated costs for covering the insured losses of a line of business included in a multi-line treaty having an aggregate deductible and an aggregate limit.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are provided for creating software that can be used to reformat incoming insurance-related data into a format that conforms to the requirements or preferences of the receiving party. In particular, the software generated is capable of causing a particular action to be taken which will result in the transfer of the received data from one format to another in response to certain conditions being met. These conditions are defined by a decision table, from which the software is automatically generated. A means is further provided for using the received data, which has been reformatted where necessary, to create a user-friendly table that defines the rules and parameters of a particular insurance policy. The table is capable of being easily understood by those unfamiliar with the intricacies of insurance claim processing and programming code, and is further capable of being read by a claims processing engine when processing an insurance claim.

Abstract: A method implemented on a computing system for pricing a financial product comprises receiving data about the product. The received data may comprise contextual data indicating market variables involved in product pricing. The contextual data may comprise a valuation currency, an underlying instrument, and data including a set of events and flows associated with the product. The data is used to generate a schedule comprising an event or flow for each of a plurality of dates. The schedule is interpreted to generate a table of variables on the basis of events or flows, and for each date on the schedule, a function for calculating the product price as a function of the variables. A list of market variables that are generated by a market analysis are received. The variables are used to calculate product variable values. A product price is calculated as a function of the calculated product variable values.

Abstract: Strategies, tools and techniques for establishing family purchase cards for customers of a financial institution are disclosed. The family purchase card may be established for a principal owner of a family in association with a household account held at the financial institution. The family purchase card may include a total purchase limit that can be allocated among one or more secondary purchase cards associated with various cardholders within the family. Different parameters may be configured for the secondary purchase cards, such as purchase limits, billing arrangements, activation or deactivation rules, and financial development milestone rules. The family purchase card may promote development of financial management skills and fiscal responsibility for various members of the family.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of solving a combinatorial exchange, a plurality of candidate allocations of input bids is determined from input bids and a set of bid vectors is formed from the input bids. A probability value, representing how likely the bids of a bid vector will comprise the bids from which a final allocation is determined, is associated with each bid vector. A mapping is then determined between each bid vector and at least one of the candidate allocations based on a set of objectives and a set of constraints. A candidate allocation is selected as a final allocation based on a comparison of another set of bids that define an exchange event bid vector with at least one of the bid vectors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method that is useful in connection with providing discount factors for an exchange-traded mark-to-market derivative product that has a variable tick rate, such as an interest rate swap product. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a series of consecutive settlement values, which collectively represent a settlement value curve for the derivative product. The curve is evaluated by determining, for each consecutive pair of settlement values, whether the difference between the first settlement value in the pair and the second settlement value in the pair exceeds a threshold. The threshold represents the value at which a discount factor derived from said pair of settlement values, in conjunction with other parameters, would be negative. In other embodiments the disclosed invention encompasses an apparatus and a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A central counterparty for data management (CCDM) receives data relating to financial transactions, associates the data with metadata to create reference data, stores the reference data and provides the reference data in “push” and “pull” ways. The “push” techniques for providing the data include distributing on a data feed, sending the data to parties known to be relevant to the transaction, and sending the data to parties who have a standing query that is satisfied by the data. The “pull” techniques for providing the data include responding to queries received from a variety of parties. The CCDM generates and distributes unique, unambiguous and universal identifiers (U3id's) and associates the U3id identifiers with the reference data.

Abstract: An anonymous computerised trading system matches orders by conducting auctions at specified times. As well as entering orders, participants assign credit limits for the duration of the auction, thus minimizing the time for which credit is allocated to the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide optimized property risk ratings and, more particularly, optimized property risk ratings defined by evaluating ratings on a by peril basis. Systems and methods also price insurance products and underwrite insurance products using risk data that has been optimized on a by peril basis. A territory is subdivided into a plurality of regions determined in accordance with at least one predetermined factor. Loss costs representing historic costs for various insured perils are retrieved from a computerized database using a data processor. The loss costs are sorted on a per-peril basis for each of the regions using the data processor. Peril zones are created for each peril that represent related regions in which loss costs for a particular peril are roughly equivalent.

Abstract: An electronic product code information service (EPCIS) interface is provided that allows accessing applications residing on a variety of systems to receive EPC-related data. In setting up an insurance policy, the EPC-related data may be used to determine objects covered by the insurance policy and to valuate the covered objects. An insurance premium may be generated for the insurance policy based on this valuation. In addition, changes to the covered objects may be detected based on the EPC-related data and may be used to automatically adjust the insured value and/or insurance premium.

Abstract: Provided are methods of providing a portable alpha investment instrument. Some embodiments of such methods include allocating a first portion of a financial asset to a first asset class, allocating a second portion of the financial asset to a second asset class, establishing a swap transaction corresponding to the first portion of the financial asset, the swap transaction configured to define a minimum term corresponding to an asset status change, and transferring the first portion and the second portion of the financial asset responsive to the allocating.

Abstract: A system and method comprises simulating a multiple lot auction using a sequencing rule until bidding on all lots is closed, simulating the multiple lot auction using a different sequencing rule until bidding on all lots is closed, and comparing results of the simulated auctions with both sequencing rules.

Abstract: According to the invention, a process for authorizing an online purchase between a customer and a vendor site is disclosed. In one step, transaction information is received from the vendor site. A new web browser window is automatically opened for the customer. A transaction amount is presented in a new browser window. The customer is capable of assenting to the transaction amount through interaction with the new web browser window. Authorization is received from the customer of a debit for the transaction amount to cover the online purchase. The vendor site is notified of the authorization.

Abstract: Secure image bidding system process for financial transactions, including structured investment products, escrows and interest rate swaps. Some embodiments provide a secure image bidding system and process for image-based bid transmissions where each of a plurality of bids received by the system is encrypted and held in a digital “Vault” until the specified end of the bid period, at which time a package containing the encrypted bids, a log of server activity, and a digital checksum of the original bid file is sent via electronic mail to the bid broker and other participants. A second electronic mail message is sent to the bid broker and other participants containing the decryption key. During the bid process, no party has access to the bid information and there is no human interaction in the receipt, conversion to image, encryption, storage or conveyance of compiled information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting fraud based on velocity counts are disclosed.

Abstract: A quantitative system and method that utilizes data sources external to a company, and when available, traditional data sources, e.g., internal company information, to (i) provide an easily accessible means for matching criteria such as, for example, demographic needs, to a database that can quickly provide a number of potential recruits or customers and that can also be used to screen both current and prospective company employees matching the criteria, and (ii) generate a statistical model that can be used to accurately and consistently predict future profitability and productivity of licensed professionals.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events including plural electronic options with associated option fees for the goods or services or events. The plural electronic options include electronic option terms established by one or more suppliers who can supply the goods or services or events. The purchase of the electronic option is accepted according to electronic option terms established by the desired supplier. The option terms may vary greatly among the individual suppliers and no two suppliers may use the same option terms. Final pricing and final features of the goods or services or final pricing of events is determined using electronic counters for accepted purchases of electronic options that have decremented down to a desired pre-determined value.