Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for systems, devices, apparatus, methods and computer program products for payment card-issuing entities to guarantee merchant payment in card-not-present-transactions and, more specifically, automatically guaranteeing merchant payment in card-not-present transactions based on the payment card-issuing entity authenticating the customer prior to the transactions. By guaranteeing merchant payment in card-not-present transactions, the merchant's risk associated with such transaction is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method for generating a spending reduction plan, includes obtaining a savings target that has a target amount and a target schedule, analyzing, using a processor of a computer system, a spending history for a plurality of spending categories to generate a historical spending pattern comprising a plurality of spending variances corresponding to the plurality of spending categories, identifying a first spending category of the plurality of spending categories by comparing the plurality of spending variances based on a pre-determined criterion, analyzing, using a processor of a computer system, a first historical savings pattern for the first spending category to determine a first reduction percentage, and generating the spending reduction plan based on the savings target, the first spending category, a first spending variance corresponding to the first spending category, and the first reduction percentage.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that, among other things, can reduce the burden on receiving computers, increase data throughput, reduce system failure, and provide components of a scalable and flexible network architecture. Specifically, the system and method provide a multichannel-multicast network environment for use in dynamically assigning data to channels. This configuration is particularly useful in a trading network environment, as it effectively performs channel reassignments in a way not to disturb the receipt of the underlying data. While the example embodiments described herein pertain to electronic trading, the principles of the present invention may be equally applied in other environments where the advantages presented herein are beneficial.

Abstract: A novel investment vehicle comprises a synthetic corporate exchangeable note linked to the equity return and credit of select third parties. A computer system creates, tracks and implements the investment vehicle in accord with program-controlled processing. A highly flexible, cost-efficient security is created having enhanced risk/return characteristics.

Abstract: Effective selection of trade execution strategies using a multi-dimensional model is disclosed. A relationship exists between order difficulty and execution strategy. Execution strategy depends on order difficulty, and order difficulty has many dimensions. The multi-dimensional model classifies trade orders according to the dimensions, and then maps these classified trade orders into suitable execution strategies. For each trade order, one or more appropriate strategies are automatically selected and presented to the trader to assist the trader in making an informed and timely decision.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing risk is provided. The method comprises determining an investment index associated with investment by an insurance company in an insurance pool. Next, the method comprises determining a return index associated with an expected return to the insurance company from participating in the insurance pool; and determining a benefit index based on the investment and return indices. The system for assessing risk comprises an assessment module for assessing risks associated with an insurance company's participation in an insurance pool based on at least one of: an investment index associated with the costs of participating in the insurance pool, and a return index associated with the benefits of participating in the insurance pool.

Abstract: A method for automatically bidding on multiple on-line auction items up for bid where the number of items the bidder wishes to buy is less than the number of items up for bid is disclosed. A method of a seller or auction site giving a bidder the ability to add a listing to a set of listings that can be processed as above is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus by which a user may access information about one or more properties may be used by an insurance provider or claims administrator to provide an information portal to its clients. User input identifying one or more foreclosed properties may be received. Then, property data may be retrieved from a property database, and the property data may include property damage information and insurance claim information for each of the identified properties. Then, based on the retrieved property data, it may be determined whether an identified property is damaged and whether an insurance claim was filed. Subsequently, information corresponding to the identified property may be displayed, and this information may include a damage indicator and an insurance claim status indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for setting up dynamic calculations within compensation software are described in the present disclosure. According to one embodiment among many, a compensation module for managing compensation for a number of employees includes a dynamic calculation set-up module allowing a user to set up a dynamic calculation. The dynamic calculation includes a calculation for one column of a worksheet based in part on a value in another column. The compensation module also includes a condition builder allowing a user to enter a condition and a result as part of a dynamic calculation. In particular, a column associated with the result receives a calculated value when the condition is met.

Abstract: A technique by which a bank assists a company in raising capital is disclosed. The technique allows a company to issue financial instruments that share characteristics of both debt and equity. Moreover, the technique includes the bank creating and marketing such instruments.

Abstract: A system and method for soliciting and receiving bids for goods or services necessary to satisfy a spot need of a buyer. The system receives a request to procure goods or services that are required to satisfy the spot need of the buyer. The request includes information identifying the type of goods or services being procured by the buyer. Next, the system automatically selects a plurality of suppliers to invite to the on-line auction by querying a supplier database with information from the request. The supplier database includes records identifying suppliers capable of supplying a plurality of different goods and services to a spot marketplace. For each supplier represented in the supplier database, a record is stored in the supplier database, which includes information representing the capabilities of the supplier to deliver at least one good or service.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a user or bidder to purchase an option on auction merchandise or services in an online auction are provided, thus allowing the option winner to purchase the merchandise in the event the original auction bidder (i.e., the highest bidder for the merchandise) defaults on his purchase. The method and system also provides an incentive to the users purchasing the option(s), e.g., bid optionees, by partially distributing the option pool of monies collected to the user who purchases the option at the price closest to the final auction price.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a user or bidder to purchase an option on auction merchandise or services in an online auction are provided, thus allowing the option winner to purchase the merchandise in the event the original auction bidder (i.e., the highest bidder for the merchandise) defaults on his purchase. The method and system also provides an incentive to the users purchasing the option(s), e.g., bid optionees, by partially distributing the option pool of monies collected to the user who purchases the option at the price closest to the final auction price.

Abstract: A computer system for processing data related to financial instruments for providing deferred income includes a data storage device storing data relating to financial instruments representing a right to receive deferred periodic payments includes, for classes of financial instruments, a price, payment amount and frequency, deferral data, and one or more permitted values of one or more actuarial factors of purchasers. The system further includes a processor configured to receive via a communication module data indicative of a request to purchase financial instruments, including a purchase payment amount and one or more values of the one or more actuarial factors of an individual purchaser, and to determine, based on the received data, a number and class of the financial instruments for issue to the individual purchaser and to output data for generation of the determined number and class of the financial instruments for issue to the individual purchaser.

Abstract: A liquid asset enhancement system includes computing apparatus operated on behalf of an underwriter and a purchase coordinator. The underwriter's apparatus receives an individual's personal, medical history, and life insurance policy information via a communication network. The underwriter's apparatus determines (i) a mortality rating based at least on the individual's medical history, (ii) a life expectancy from a mortality table based on the mortality rating and the individual's personal information, and (iii) a proposed sale value for the policy based at least on the life expectancy and the policy information. If the individual elects to sell the policy, the underwriter's apparatus communicates at least the policy information, the individual's medical history, and the proposed sale value to the purchase coordinator's apparatus via a communication network for sale completion and delivery of proceeds therefrom to a party bound to use the proceeds to pay the insured's assisted living expenses.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for calculating a current monetary value of a personal injury claim wherein computers are utilized to store, process, manipulate and analyze information collected from finalized personal injury claims including data representative of the cause of the personal injury, the type of injury sustained, the location where the injury occurred, the amounts paid for medical services and the amounts claimed for medical services to calculate an average settlement multiple which, when multiplied by the current amount claimed as medical damages, yields a current average settlement value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes generating a request of an entity based on a set of attributes provided by an initiating patron of the entity using a processor of an initiator device. The method also includes associating an aggregation environment to the request. The method further includes allocating an initial consideration to the aggregation environment from the initiating patron. In addition, the method includes allocating, to the initial consideration, an additional consideration provided when a different patron contributes the additional consideration to the aggregation environment of the request using a processor of a supporter device. The method also includes allocating the consideration of the initiating patron and the different patron to the aggregation environment of the request to increase a value of the request to the entity in order to increase a possibility of the entity to respond to the request using a processor of an entity device.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a computer system and method for integrating insurance policy underwriting. In one aspect it integrates the older legacy insurance policy generating systems to on line systems where users access the system through browsers. The computer system to perform the process of underwriting, rating, quoting, binding, and booking an insurance policy includes browsers, data bases, processors and a dispatcher that parses the information to select an insurance process. Suitable software programs review messages received from users to determine if certain messages are less than a prescribed limit. If a message is greater than the limit, then the message is parsed into a header information and one or more data fields whereby the header information is provided to a legacy processor and to policy generation software for further creation of policy related information and documentation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods, systems, and computer program products pertaining to obtaining, providing, and using dynamic card verification values for portable consumer devices, such as credit cards and debit cards. An exemplary method comprises receiving, at a server, a request for a device verification value for a portable consumer device associated with a user; obtaining, at the server, a datum indicative of a device verification value for a portable consumer device; and sending, from the server, the datum to at least one of a phone number or network address of a personal communication device associated with the user.

Abstract: An online auction process for derivative securities is used to determine a fair market value of an asset or benefit provided to others, such as employee stock options. In one embodiment, the derivative securities track the intrinsic value realized by employees when exercising the employee stock options granted to them by their employers. The derivative securities may include rules for handling modifications to an employee stock option grant and/or rules for handling forfeitures of some or all of the employee stock options.