Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing business processes. First business process data obtained from a first trading participant includes a set of transaction messages having a first data format in accordance with a first protocol for conducting business transactions used by the first trading participant. A virtual trading participant receives fictitious business process data from the first trading participant and acknowledging the fictitious business process data and replying to the first trading participant that the fictitious business process data has been acknowledged. Operational characteristics and a connectivity of a currently trading participant connected to a process management platform accessible via an interconnection fabric are tested, by utilizing the virtual trading participant to determine if the data defining individual business processes is in a uniform format understood by a process management platform.

Abstract: A method includes receiving message data at a mobile communication device from a user via a user input device of the mobile communication device. The message data is associated with a text message to be sent to at least one intended recipient device. The method includes receiving at least one address associated with the least one intended recipient device. The method further includes instructing a transmitter to send the text message to the at least one intended recipient device via a wireless network. The method also includes receiving advertisement data associated with at least one advertisement in response to a determination that a threshold number of messages have been sent by the transmitter.

Abstract: A control method, for a transaction management server of a transaction administrator administrating commodity transactions between a seller and a buyer, comprises transmitting to a forwarder terminal an instruction to transport a commodity received along with price information of the commodity from a seller terminal; writing the price information into a database; receiving from the forwarder terminal and writing into the database the number of the waybill issued when the commodity is loaded into transportation by the forwarder; transmitting to the seller terminal information indicating that the transaction administrator has made an alternative payment for the commodity; receiving from the forwarder terminal and writing into the database the number of the waybill put on the commodity having arrived at a destination and commodity identification information; receiving the commodity identification information of the commodity delivered to the buyer from the forwarder terminal, and transmitting to a buyer terminal

Abstract: A graphical user interface includes a first window configured to display a first value, which is entered by a user of an income-tax preparation program, and a second value, which is computed as a function of the first value. Note that the second value is to be used in an income-tax return of the user. Furthermore, the graphical user interface allows the user to obtain an explanation of the difference between the first value and the second value.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable displaying an indication of traffic quality. The system retrieves keyword or other traffic data for at least one keyword associated with at least one search engine. The system compares the traffic data for a first time period to the traffic data for a second time period, according to one or more date ranges and other parameters selected by a user for each time period. As a result of the comparison, an indication of the traffic quality associated with a disparity between the first time period data and the second time period data, if any, is displayed.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that facilitates construction project bidding over a computer network. In one aspect, a construction project supervisor system may verify one or more aspects of bidder information before bidding. A bidder may submit payment information, an electronic mail address, and a telephone number to be verified. Verification may include utilizing the payment information to process a payment, and/or sending a verification code to the electronic mail address and/or telephone number. In one embodiment, the issuance of a bid bond associated with the prospective bid may be required to complete the verification process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the trading of financial instruments are provided. Trading messages are received at a live alert server. The messages are analyzed with a set of predetermined limits and rules. When a predetermined limit or rule is violated, an email message is sent to a regulator or other trading entity. The email message may include a hyperlink that may be selected to generate a real-time report relating to the limit or rule. When hyperlink is selected, a query is sent to a query server where the real-time report is generated and transmitted back to the requesting party.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for conducting and staging money transfer transactions from a vehicle. The systems and methods may include using a wireless transmitter on board the vehicle for wirelessly communicating with a money transfer system. Also, a user-input device integrated with the vehicle's navigation system, entertainment system, and/or climate system may be used. Using the wireless transmitter, the user-input device may interface with the money transfer system. Also, one or more identity authentication devices may be integrated with the vehicle that collect information to authenticate a user's identity.

Abstract: Facilitating communications between an electronic payment device and an issuer host includes storing in the payment device a set of personalization parameters. A first set of status information indicative of available status information relating to the payment device is transformed into a second set of status information based on the set of personalization parameters, and/or a second set of actions is selected from a first set of actions indicative of available actions to be performed by the payment device based on the set of personalization parameters and an order received from the issuer for initiating at least one corresponding action in the payment device. The second set of status information includes a subset of the first set of status information; the second set of actions includes a subset of the first set of actions.

Abstract: Described herein is a virtual marketplace via which buyers and sellers can conclude transactions for the sale of goods and services. To facilitate payments for goods and services, and to encourage use of the marketplace, the system facilitates the establishment of interest bearing accounts, via which a buyer can fund transactions.

Abstract: A Group Equity-Indexed Annuity (GEIA) with a guaranteed minimum equity related return for a set of individuals are provided. An algorithm sets a “participation rate” of a GEIA contract as well as the carrier margin, risk and opportunity for recovery. The carrier is held accountable to the participation rate produced by the model investment portfolio in the formula and subject to the guaranteed minimum. The selection of the participation rate is entirely visible to a GEIA contract-holder. A “hedge budget” is based on a formula-driven amortization process that blends old and new money. Underlying assets are also managed to a “constant” duration, such as the duration of a bond index selected by the GEIA contract-holder.

Abstract: Market data is monitored for purposes of canceling orders for financial articles of trade. Real-time data is collected from multiple liquidity destinations trading at least one financial article of trade. The real-time data comprises disparate data corresponding to associated liquidity destinations. The collected real-time data is normalized into a standardized form. A condition is defined of a trading market that includes one or both of submitted and executed transactions of financial articles of trade over the multiple liquidity destinations. The condition is associated with an entity. Through monitoring of the normalized real-time data, an event is identified in the trading market that matches the condition. Upon identification of the condition, at least one communication session between the entity and a corresponding liquidity destination is terminated causing a process at the corresponding liquidity destination to cancel pending or outstanding orders for financial articles of trades from the entity.

Abstract: An automated loan risk assessment system and method are described. The system is adapted to receive information about a loan or an insurance application requesting insurance to cover same. The system calculates a risk score for the loan based on a plurality of risk factors including at least two of a fraud risk factor, a credit risk factor and a property valuation risk factor. The risk score can be used by a loan service provider in deciding whether or not to fund or insure the loan.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product creates an index based on accounting based data, as well as a portfolio of financial objects based on the index where the portfolio is weighted according to accounting based data. A passive investment system may be based on indices created from various metrics. The indexes may be built with metrics other than market capitalization weighting, price weighting or equal weighting. Non-financial metrics may also be used to build indexes to create passive investment systems. Additionally, a combination of financial non-market capitalization metrics may be used along with non-financial metrics to create passive investment systems. Once the index is built, it may be used as a basis to purchase securities for a portfolio.

Abstract: An investment system based on indexes created from various metrics is disclosed. The indexes may be built by selecting from a universe of assets, a subset using selection and weighting metrics substantially independent of market capitalization weighting, price weighting, or equal weighting. These metrics may include, but are not limited to book value, sales, dividends, cash flow, employees, demographics, etc. A combination of financial non-market capitalization metrics may be used along with non-financial metrics to create passive investment systems. Once the index is built, it may be used as a basis to purchase securities for a portfolio. As the data underlying the indexes change because of, e.g., economic activity, the index may be updated and may be used as a basis to rebalance the portfolio.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product creates an index based on accounting based data, as well as a portfolio of financial objects based on the index where the portfolio is weighted according to accounting based data. A passive investment system may be based on indices created from various metrics. The indexes may be built with metrics other than market capitalization weighting, price weighting or equal weighting. Non-financial metrics may also be used to build indexes to create passive investment systems. Additionally, a combination of financial non-market capitalization metrics may be used along with non-financial metrics to create passive investment systems. Once the index is built, it may be used as a basis to purchase securities for a portfolio.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a new financial instrument and payment card integrates savings and credit transactions belonging to the same payment plan into a single account. Transactions can be carried out at different periods in time, for any amount, agreed on with different fixed or adjustable interest rates, without losing the payment conditions of each savings and credit. A financial account card as a financial instrument can be used to carry out long, medium and short-term savings and credit financial transactions. The card can also be used as a payment card to buy and sell anything of value. The card is operated through financial institutions and service centers by a computer system, which manages transactions between cardholders themselves and with financial institutions, maintains account balances, determines installments for debt and savings balances, manages available credit limits and guarantees, and manages other financial and payment services.

Abstract: A system, method and/or computer program product for managing an index or portfolio of one or more financial object is disclosed. An index (or portfolio) may be created, including selecting object based on accounting data or weighting the object based on accounting data. Investment managers may manage accounts for investors. The investors may directly hold assets in the accounts so the investors may take advantage of any benefits generated by transactions using the assets in the accounts. Investor(s) may have account(s) and manager(s). A manager may have one or more investors and account(s) to manage. Virtual mutual fund manager may use a holdings matrix and lot matrix to track asset lots in the accounts. When a manager wishes to make a trade affecting an investor, virtual mutual fund manager may determine which asset lots held by the investor should be used to execute the trade.

Abstract: An automated information and analysis system and methods, including methods to acquire information, which may include financial market data such as rates or prices, from one or more external sources, and to process, enhance, extend or otherwise develop that information to derive additional, different, modified or otherwise developed information which, separately or together with the original acquired information, provides to users additional, different or modified utility relative to the utility that the original acquired information provides alone.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product creates an index based on accounting based data, as well as a portfolio of financial objects based on the index where the portfolio is weighted according to accounting based data. A passive investment system may be based on indices created from various metrics. The indexes may be built with metrics other than market capitalization weighting, price weighting or equal weighting. Non-financial metrics may also be used to build indexes to create passive investment systems. Additionally, a combination of financial non-market capitalization metrics may be used along with non-financial metrics to create passive investment systems. Once the index is built, it may be used as a basis to purchase securities for a portfolio.