Abstract: The invention is directed to a budget planning system that improves the accuracy and predictability of budget planning within large organizations by enabling organizations to reconcile corporate financial models and organizational targets with detailed spending forecasts. The budgeting system includes a database that is configured to store data defining a budgeting model for the organization. The model has a plurality of hierarchically arranged nodes, each node corresponding to a “contributor” that either provides forecast data or review data provided by contributors associated with lower level nodes. The system is configured to capture target data from a set of financial analysts, capture forecast data from the contributors and reconcile the target data and the forecast data according to the model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating limited resources of a securities research department to accounts of the department are disclosed. According to various embodiments, the system includes an account scoring module and a resource matching module. The account scoring module is for generating a score for each account, and the resource matching module is for matching the resources of the department to the accounts based on the scores for each account.

Abstract: A method of registering a credit card user's credit card information by a credit card management organization. A card user accesses the card management computer system in a computer network. The method provides a user interface whereby the user grants authorization to the card management organization to obtain the card user's credit report from a credit reporting bureau. The method further transmits a request for the user's credit report to a credit reporting bureau and automatically downloads the user's credit report when received. The method further parses the credit report to determine a card issuer for each card on the credit report using a database of card issuer aliases. The method then fully or partially automatically registers each card with the user's account in the card management association and then presents the opportunity to the user to review and edit each card.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for offering a financial product or service to a group of consumers. A first marketing pack for marketing a financial product or service to a group of consumers, where the first marketing pack has a first value for at least one marketing pack attribute, is selected. A second marketing pack having a second value for the at least one marketing pack attribute is then selected, such that the difference between the first value and the second value satisfies a predetermined marketing distance criteria. Thereafter, the financial product or service is offered to the group of consumers using the first marketing pack and the second marketing pack.

Abstract: Systems and a method for delivering a financial message. The system for delivering a financial message includes, inter alia, an intervention system configured to allow an internal user of the system to add or edit content of a message to a client user prior to delivery. Advantageously, financial advisors and other internal users have the ability to interact with a client user to provide proactive financial advice.

Abstract: A system for automatically determining a trade settlement pathway comprising: receiving trade pathway preferences from a first and second party with respect to each other; wherein the trade is settled through clearing if both parties have available accounts with a clearing firm and the trade satisfies each party's clearing account credit limitations; and wherein the trade is settled bilaterally if at least one party does not have an available clearing account or both parties prefer to settle the trade bilaterally, and the trade satisfies each party's bilateral credit limitations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the liquidity and distribution network for luxury and other illiquid items are provided. These systems and methods preferably include the trading of futures and options contracts, which will provide the liquidity and distribution network for luxury items. Possible embodiments of these systems and methods include the trading of futures and options contracts for diamonds and wine. Another embodiment of this invention preferably includes generating indexes for diamond prices, wine prices, luxury item prices, housing values, mortgage prepayments, privately-held companies or for anything with from sufficiently liquid points of value. Another embodiment of this invention preferably includes a centralized data base for retrieving closing and current auction prices for determining the value of, and best method for the auctioning of various items. The data provided by this data base would improve liquidity by creating greater price transparency.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating and processing banking deposits. In a preferred embodiment, the system is maintained by a financial institution such as a bank and the bank's customers access the system through the Internet. The system provides a Graphical User Interface that allows the customers to view the bank's current rates for a plurality of currencies and a plurality of time periods. The customer selects the desired rate on the interface and the system automatically generates a deal ticket that is presented to the customer. The customer submits the deal ticket for trading. A confirmation of the trade occurs online and real time. The system has further utilities for the customers to view archives of previous deals, establish profiles and preferences and chat with bank representatives. The system further includes state of the art security in order to ensure the safety and confidentiality of the banking transactions.

Abstract: A user interface and method are disclosed for providing trading between a plurality of semi-fungible and non-fungible goods. A plurality of book axes are displayed in a single interface, each book axis representing a market for a particular good. Orders for goods are displayed as marks on the axes to display the relative value of the orders. A value axis is provided that relates the value of the goods from each market to each other. Thus, a single interface provides the means to relate the values of different semi-fungible goods. The value axis may be displayed in units of price, or a custom value designated by a user or pre-defined by the interface. Quantity information is represented in the interface through the display of a dimension of an order icon. Precise information about each order is displayed either in a panel view or a pop-up window.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating and processing banking deposits. In a preferred embodiment, the system is maintained by a financial institution such as a bank and the bank's customers access the system through the Internet. The system provides a Graphical User Interface that allows the customers to view the bank's current rates for a plurality of currencies and a plurality of time periods. The customer selects the desired rate on the interface and the system automatically generates a deal ticket that is presented to the customer. The customer submits the deal ticket for trading. A confirmation of the trade occurs online and real time. The system has further utilities for the customers to view archives of previous deals, establish profiles and preferences and chat with bank representatives. The system further includes state of the art security in order to ensure the safety and confidentiality of the banking transactions.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for determining a minimum asset value for exercising a contingent claim of an option. The method may include determining a present value conditional distribution of contingent future benefits attributable to the exercise of a contingent claim, including conditioning a distribution of contingent future benefits on an estimated minimum asset value, and discounting the distribution according to a first discount rate. Similarly, the method may include determining present values of respective exercise prices required to exercise one or more contingent claims, including discounting respective exercise prices according to a second discount rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for managing Risk by associating a biometric profile with other data relevant to a Risk subject. Computerized systems can receive informational data that relates generally to Risk variables and relate the information to known biometric profiles. Compiled information can be situated and conveyed to a compliance department and be able to demonstrate to regulators that a financial institution has met standards relating to Risk containment.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for determining a minimum future benefits value for exercising a contingent claim of an option. The method may include determining a present value distribution of contingent future benefits at an expiration exercise point, and present values of respective exercise prices at the expiration exercise point and one or more decision points before that point. Determining these present value distribution and present values may include discounting a distribution and respective values according to first and second discount rates, respectively. The method may also include repeatedly determining, for a plurality of forecasted asset values at a selected decision point, respective values based upon the present value distribution and the present values, where the respective values may be conditioned on the forecasted asset values. A forecasted asset value that maximizes the value may then be selected.

Abstract: An annuity provides a guaranteed rate of return for a guarantee period while at the same time providing upward adjustments to the interest rate if there is a corresponding increase in a specified referenced rate. The guaranteed base interest rate is set at the beginning of the guarantee period, and the annuity account is credited with the base interest rate for an initial pre-defined period. Periodically, the then-current referenced rate is compared to a base referenced rate defined at the establishment of the guarantee period. If the referenced rate has increased, the interest rate that will be credited to the annuity account value will increase by an amount that is based on the amount of increase in the referenced rate. If the referenced rate has not changed or has decreased, the interest rate that will be credited to the annuity account value will be the guaranteed base interest rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and system for effectuating an electronic payment between a payor and a payee using an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) network. The method is implemented by a system having multiple processors. The payor may hold a payor account at a payor institution and the payee may have a payee account at a payee institution. The method includes generating a payment authorization identifying the payee institution, the payee account, and an amount of the payment and transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution. The method further includes debiting the payor account by the amount of the payment; transmitting from the payor institution to the payee institution though the EFT network an EFT credit message representing a credit in the amount of the payment; and crediting the payee account in the amount of the payment in response to the receipt of the EFT credit message.

Abstract: A preferred set of prices for a plurality of products, generally demand coefficients is provided. Cost data including activity-based costs is also received. A preferred set of prices that will provide a local optimum for the preferred set of prices which maximizes profit is then determined. In one embodiment, a sales model and a cost model are created. A plurality of rules is specified. The preferred set of prices is then determined based on the sales model, the cost model, and the plurality of rules.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems to help investors determine the fair value and ratings of assets (such as equity or debt instruments, etc.), and thereby make better informed investment decisions, through: automatically consolidating selected asset historical performance, forecasting and rating information; automatically computing asset valuations based on default and/or customized valuation parameters; and automatically determining asset under or over valuation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shielding a user's private billing data, such as credit card information, or other billing arrangements, but distributing different billing data to businesses during commerce therewith. Also disclosed is assigning the different billing data through real-time and advance distribution of the different billing data to a user, as well. Also disclosed is validating the correctness of a charge through confirmation of the charge with a financial institution, such as a bank, and by comparing itemized charges against expected charges identified by the user.

Abstract: A method of providing a representative or customer with an opportunity to electronically process a request to adjust, refund or waive a service charge on various products and services, comprising the steps of a) receiving requests via various channels such as phone, facsimile, in person, on-line, etc.; b) maintaining an electronic site on a computer network which representative or customer may connect; c) presenting at least one electronic screen over the network to a representative or customer who has connected to the electronic site, including a first input field operable to receive a first command from the representative or customer indicative of a type of adjustment; d) electronically delivering the first command to an automated interface which converts a format of the first command to another format; and presenting a decision to the representative or customer in response to the first command.

Abstract: A system for processing transaction data is provided. The system includes a fraud policy system that provides merchant fraud policy data. An order information data system receives order information data and the merchant fraud policy data and generates order information fraud score data, such as by modifying the order information data using the merchant fraud policy data and then scoring the modified order information data. A transaction authorization system receives the order information fraud score data and the merchant fraud policy data and generates client authorization data.