Abstract: The present invention relates to a web-based financial management system for providing personalized financial coaching to a user. The system operates in a collaborative computing environment between the user and a financial advisor and comprises a service level subsystem and an advice generating subsystem. The service level subsystem allows the user to negotiate a service level agreement that defines the user's desired level of support and limits access to user provided information. The advice generating subsystem is coupled to the service level subsystem and includes one or more coaching engines that dynamically analyze the financial needs of the user in accordance with the user's service level agreement. Furthermore, the coaching engine provides customized financial advice tailored to the user's life intentions.

Abstract: For each quote entered into a computerized anonymous trading system, the system determines if it is waiting to be “hit” (would be matched with the first hit of a predetermined size) at a substantial number of trading floors, and if so, notifies the trader originating the quote. The substantial number of floors is preferably expressed as greater than a predetermined percentage of the available trading partners with whom credit has been established on a bilateral basis, and is preferably greater than 25%. In an alternate embodiment, the system provides a graphical display to the market maker originating a particular quote indicating how many trading floors are poised to hit that particular quote, and/or a numeric display indicating a price that would be Hittable by a predetermined number or percentage of available trading partners.

Abstract: An index-linked insurance product having an annual guarantee is implemented having a maximized hedged investment budget. A net premium payment is allocated to a fixed income investment and an annual fixed income yield is projected. The maximized hedged investment budget is determined by deducting from the projected annual fixed income a product spread and an estimated cost of the annual guarantee. The deducted estimated cost of the annual guarantee is allocated to a risk fund. The maximized hedged investment budget is allocated to a hedged investment designed to generate proceeds for supporting index-linked earnings credited to the index-linked insurance product. Upon expiration of the product term, if the amount credited based on the index-linked earnings does not equal to at least the compounded annual guarantee, the amount credited is increased to be equal to the compounded annual guarantee. The increased credit may be supported using funds from the risk fund and other reserves if necessary.

Abstract: A computerized method of administering an annuity product having a withdrawal feature and a guarantee comprises the steps of establishing an annuity account from which withdrawals can be made, inputting data relating to the annuity account, paying withdrawals to the account owner, and providing a guarantee. Inputted data relating to the account includes a maximum withdrawal rate for a given withdrawal frequency. The guarantee provides that, even if the account value is exhausted before the end of a specified time period, amounts up to the maximum withdrawal will continue to be paid for the specified period, provided that withdrawals before the account value is exhausted do not exceed the maximum rate. The specified time period may be a lifetime period, a period of years or months chosen by the account owner when the account is established, or a period during which withdrawals at least equal a specified percentage of the account value, or a highest account value achieved, as of a specified date.

Abstract: A process for facilitating payment card transactions from an underlying virtual account that exists as a data entity within a trust account, wherein cardholders are able to purchase goods and services from a merchant. The cardholder may execute a transaction at any venue which presently accepts a debit card for payment. The funds of the trust account need not be linked to a checking account or credit account, wherein the liability of the cardholder, card issuer, and merchant can be reduced. Preferably, the virtual account is initially established when the card is issued and activated, and can be depleted through one or more transactions for which the card is used as the means of payment, or monetary transfer, and may be recharged from time-to-time by depositing additional funds into the virtual cardholder account or crediting the balance of the virtual account as the result of a merchant refund, adjustment, or transfer from another cardholder.