Abstract: A system is disclosed for handling post transactional credit disputes in real-time via a variety of transactional environments and architectures. The system includes one or more workstations linked to a communication channel and one or more servers with at least one having capability of displaying a plurality of pre-existing dispute handling forms. A party in dispute may access the forms, choose an appropriate dispute handling form, provide data in the pre-defined requested fields on the form, and transmit the form over the communication channel to a server for processing. A server accepts a User ID and password from a user, retrieves and displays a set of dispute handling forms, receives input entered on the forms, routes the forms to a second user in dispute, and makes the forms available for viewing to the second user. The program may further index the data entered on the forms using a code-based method.

Abstract: A method of determining an estimate of the market value of a traded unit of a financial instrument, and apparatus for carrying out the method, said instrument comprising a fund of individually priced securities and the exact composition of said fund being withheld from the market, said method comprising selecting a plurality of mutually independent risk factors, each risk factor being representative of market behaviour estimated to be significant to the price behaviour of the traded unit, obtaining information from a third party holding information regarding the composition of said fund regarding the actual significance of said risk factors to the value of said traded unit, and calculating a value for said traded unit on the basis of said significances.

Abstract: A money management card adapted to provide a method of saving and investing for a user of the money management card. An entity, such as, for example, a card issuer, receives a user designation of one or more designated accounts that are to receive at least a portion of any additional amount added to purchases made using the money management card. The entity receives an indication that a user has used the money management card to make a purchase for a specified purchase amount subsequent to receiving the user designation. The entity adds a calculated additional amount to the specified purchase amount, for example, based on the fact a purchase was made or based at least in part on the specified purchase amount. The entity transfers an appropriate portion of the calculated additional amount to each of the one or more designated accounts. Third parties can also transfer matching funds that match at least a portion of the calculated additional amount.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamic security price and value comparison in indexed terms of a large number of user selected factors relating to a large number of user selected securities, all with regard to a single “pivot” security. The method is implemented as a Java script computer program that permits a user to view security data on an indexed basis whereby a pivot company is chosen and represented as 100 for each of the factors. Any of a large number of companies listed can be selected by the user as the pivot security. The benefit of using the Comparator & Indexer is that relative valuations to those of the pivot security become immediately apparent either resulting in a value conclusion or determination as to the areas necessary for further focused study.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the distribution of physical restricted securities to a set of participants comprises receiving from an originating entity, such as a venture capitalist, a distribution package. A transfer agent is given temporary custody of the restricted securities and delivery instructions are provided to the transfer agent. Because the transfer agent has custody of the securities while they are still in the name of the originating entity, it can perform distributions of the restricted securities in accordance with incrementally delivered instructions and does not need to terminate the entire distribution if the instructions for a particular participant are incomplete or inconsistent. A system for gathering distribution instructions from participants and delivering the instructions to a facilitator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A money management card adapted to provide a method of saving and investing for a user of the money management card. The money management card is associated with an investment account which allows money to be pooled for the purpose of investing. The investment account allows the user to allocate the balance of the investment account in one or more investment vehicles. The user is not required to satisfy a minimum amount before placing a portion of the balance in the investment vehicle. The balance of the investment account is funded by additional amounts added to purchase amounts for purchases made with the card.

Abstract: A computer auction platform that incorporates a novel concept of virtual Internet property ownership to promote the platform, increase listings and customer base. Virtual property owners may be entitled to receive a portion of the transaction revenue generated from auctions that originate from within a predefined geographic region. Virtual property owners may also have physical locations placed within the geographic region to provide escrow service between buyers and sellers. The central location may also provide assistance for those who do not have access to computers to list or bid on items on the platform.

Abstract: A method and system can be used to determine an optimal price of a commodity on a spot market. Market state conditions can be generated using historical data, such as transactional and other data. The market state conditions may include nearly any number of attributes, and the forecast market state conditions may include a forecast price for the commodity during the next time period. The historical data and market state condition may be used in a clustering module that separates the data into clusters. The cluster with the market state condition is identified, and the data in that cluster is used to generate a price-demand curve for the next time period. The price for the commodity on the spot market during that time period can be determined consistent with the company's business rules.

Abstract: There is provided a method for managing an investment portfolio. The method includes determining a feasible loss in notional value of a contract sub-portfolio of the investment portfolio, and determining a composition between the contract sub-portfolio and an asset sub-portfolio of the investment portfolio such that a value of the investment portfolio on a second date that is subsequent to a first date is no less than a highest marked-to-market value for the investment portfolio that occurred on or between the first date and the second date.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention relates to a method for structuring a transaction involving a first party having a long position in a security and a second party desiring to acquire short exposure to the security. In one example an agent or intermediary acts between the first party and the second party. In another example the first party and the second party deal directly with one another.

Abstract: A method of determining an estimate of the market value of a traded unit of a financial instrument, and apparatus for carrying out the method, said instrument comprising a fund of individually priced securities and the exact composition of said fund being withheld from the market, said method comprising selecting a plurality of mutually independent risk factors, each risk factor being representative of market behavior estimated to be significant to the price behavior of the traded unit, obtaining information from a third party holding information regarding the composition of said fund regarding the actual significance of said risk factors to the value of said traded unit, and calculating a value for said traded unit on the basis of said significances.