Abstract: Evaluating fraud risk in a transaction between consumer and a merchant over a network is disclosed. The merchant requests service over the network using a secure, open messaging protocol. An e-commerce transaction or electronic purchase order is received from the merchant, the level of risk associated with each order is measured, and a risk score is returned to the merchant. In one embodiment, data validation, highly predictive artificial intelligence pattern matching, network data aggregation and negative file checks are used to examine numerous factors to calculate fraud risk. A risk score is generated and compared to the merchant's specified risk threshold. The result is returned to the merchant for order disposition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes a method and apparatus for pooling resources into a common fund such that the risk benefit is held low by assigning rating to the individual members as well as allowing people with similar characteristic or profiles to participate in the pool.

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also includes the options of interest payments, the use of different account issuers, different financial accounts, budget transfers, spend compartmentalization, cost-splitting, adjusting credit limits, loans, gifting, intermediary facilitating the transaction, transaction tracking, rapid funds availability, confidential transfer of funds, immediate initiation of shipment by a seller, releasing funds to a seller only after approval of the goods, services, or other value, demonstrating proof of payment, and recourse against a remote seller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to product warranty management solutions, and in particular, to methods and systems for maintaining purchase records and product repair, replacement, and refund warranty claims processing. The user experience in performing warranty management is simplified and enhanced over existing methods.

Abstract: A system receives account access information from a user. The account is then accessed using the received access information. Data is harvested from a web page associated with the account or received from another financial data source. The user's ability to access the account is authenticated based on the obtained information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for rewarding mortgage customers of a financial institution. The method includes providing enrollment in a mortgage matching system to eligible mortgage customers, wherein eligibility requirements include the requirement that eligible mortgage customers hold both a mortgage account and a checking account with the financial institution. The customer makes periodic mortgage payments from the checking account to the mortgage account. The method monitors continued compliance with the eligibility requirements and submission of the periodic payments using a monitoring engine. The method further includes determining a reward payment amount to be made to each complying mortgage customer, wherein the reward payment amount is a predetermined percentage of principal and interest paid during a predetermined time period. The calculated reward payment amount is transferred to a pre-selected accessible location for each complying mortgage customer.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring a plurality of electronic self-service devices. The apparatus and methods may involve a receiver module, a database module, and a web server module. The receiver module may receive from each of the electronic self-service devices information regarding a fault-related event. The database module may associate each of the fault-related events with one of multiple event types. The database module may store the fault-related event information in machine readable memory. The web server module may provide reporting information based on the fault-related events to a user.

Abstract: An Internet-based system to market financial and banking services to both participating and registered individuals and business customers. A portion of the transaction fees that are associated with various products and services provided by financial institutions such as checking and savings accounts, loans, trust services and escrow services are converted into charitable contributions which are processed by the system clearing house and then are forwarded to one or more charitable organizations designated by the participating individual or business. “Finders” fees for savings accounts and certificates of deposit will also be converted into charitable contributions.

Abstract: The methods described herein provide a guaranteed rate of return for a guarantee period of a financial account 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, the base interest rate to be credited to an account 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 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 account value will be the guaranteed base interest rate.

Abstract: A method for conducting an interactive financial simulation. The method is implemented at least in part by a computer and includes transmitting an initial financial projection for a fictitious company, transmitting a news story, generating a new share price for the fictitious company based on an index, generating a new financial projection for the fictitious company based on a set of decisions selected for implementation by a participant of the interactive financial simulation, and generating a final share price for the fictitious company based on a final set of decisions selected for implementation by the participant.

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 user's location is automatically transmitted to a network, and the network automatically customizes one or more environments, such as by customizing communication devices, other types of devices, or the like, based on the detected location and on profile information. Customizing an environment may include enabling services, such as setting up a public telephone or hotel telephone with a user's home base telephone settings and/or services, and/or may include disabling functions, such as disabling long-distance service when the user is away from home.

Abstract: A system for testing option search strategies comprises a repository of historical option data reflecting financial market conditions on a plurality of days in the past. The system is adapted to receive user defined search criteria for searching the repository of historical option data for option investments, search the repository of historical option data for option investments satisfying the user defined search criteria, and transmit the results. The system is further adapted to receive a request to use the user defined search criteria to search current financial market data for existing investment opportunities.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. A first offer for a particular instrument in a particular market is received from a first market maker at a first offer price. A first bid for the same particular instrument in the same particular market is received from a second market maker at a first bid price, the first bid price being higher than or equal to the first offer price. As a result of the first bid price being higher than or equal to the first offer price, the first offer price is automatically increased to a price higher than the first bid price such that a trade is not executed between the first offer and the first bid. In some embodiments, such method may be used to protect market makers from unwanted trades caused by inherent latency in the market makers' pricing engines and/or networks.

Abstract: Facilitating commercial transactions using a payment system directory are disclosed. A payment directory and/or wireless point of sale (POS) device may be configured to use predetermined rules, a multitude of data items and/or conditions to locate a payment system, and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to at least one payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an index for an item based on market information are provided. Market information about the item is received and compiled. A standard profile for the item is determined. Index information for the item is determined based on the compiled market information. The index information comprises historical price information and statistical information about the market for the item. The index information is displayed at a user interface and updated based on updated market information. Orders to trade futures and options contracts on the item may be received, communicated, and executed.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for enabling 2-way mobile interactions between merchants and consumers using text messaging (short message service (SMS) messaging). The system supports an SMS text keyword (or keywords) per merchant, which consumers can text to an SMS short code expressing a particular intent. The merchant's account on the system can then respond with specific information back to consumers depending on rules defined on the system for each word or sequence of words being sent in the SMS message. Consumers can be sent subscription text messages based on the intent of the consumer.

Abstract: Facilitating commercial transactions using a payment system directory are disclosed. A payment directory and/or wireless point of sale (POS) device may be configured to use predetermined rules, a multitude of data items and/or conditions to locate a payment system, and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to at least one payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway.

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 through 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 method is provided for directed advertising on a shipment tracking status webpage. Advertisements are received and categorized based on preselected criteria. Shipping orders are received and tracking numbers associated with the shipping orders are provided. Tracking status information is received for the shipping orders. A tracking status request for a shipping order is received based on a tracking number. The tracking status information for the shipping order associated with the tracking number is accessed. The tracking information for the shipping order and at least one advertisement, which is selected based on the preselected criteria, is provided for display on the shipment tracking status webpage.