Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. A trading order intended for a trading exchange is received from a trader, the trading order having an associated trading order price. A group of distributed trading orders is automatically generated based at least on the trading order price and a set of pre-configured distribution parameters associated with the trading order. The group of distributed trading orders is distributed over a multiple price levels. The generated group of distributed trading orders is automatically submitted to the trading exchange.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises a method comprising: (a) receiving data describing an executed trading order in a market traded security and related trade execution data; (b) calculating components of execution costs associated with execution of the order; and (c) transmitting data sufficient to describe the components of execution costs. Other aspects comprise calculations of (1) cost effect of trade decision factors associated with execution of an order; (2) a decomposition of execution of an executed limit order into components related to algorithm performance and components related to trader-input parameters of the order; (3) components of implementation shortfall associated with execution of an order; (4) components of profit/loss associated with execution of an order; and (5) components of execution outcome associated with execution of an order.

Abstract: A distributed asset allocation processing system performs a computerized method for allocating subscriber assets. The system configures predetermined investment allocation paths that relate asset allocation models to trigger events. The system then selects a predetermined path based on a subscriber's risk tolerance. At each trigger event along the predetermined path, the system automatically rebalances the subscriber's assets according to an asset allocation model corresponding to the trigger event.

Abstract: Described are a method, computer program product, and system for risk management using readily available, gridded hazard data to estimate and obtain a risk analysis parameter (e.g., expected repair cost) for use in risk management, such as in seismic risk management. The method includes calculating economic risk for buildings in terms of an expected annualized loss (EAL). EAL is the product of a scenario loss estimate called probable frequent loss (PFL) and an economic hazard coefficient (H). H can be created using readily available gridded hazard data produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. The method also includes a technique for calculating shaking intensity, sEBE, which is needed for determining PFL. Incorporated into a system, the system can be utilized by engineering consultants (or others interested in risk management) via the Internet, or on any other computer readable medium.

Abstract: A linked account instrument is used to access funds in an existing demand deposit account held at a financial institution. Merchant or other transactions are first processed against a demand deposit account via an electronic authorization network. If the demand deposit account does not have sufficient funds, the transactions may be processed as a credit charge against a designated credit account. The demand deposit account may subsequently be swept at predetermined times in search of funds to defray the overdraft. If adequate funds are present, they will be withdrawn from the demand deposit account, and the credit account will be cleared. Otherwise, the instrument holder's daily purchasing abilities may be temporarily suspended until the credit account is settled. The processing of overdraft amounts may be on a FIFO, smallest-first or other basis.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method, computer program product, and system for risk management. The present invention includes calculating a statistic of loss per unit time, the statistic being a product of a site loss parameter and a loss given a loss-basis event. The site loss parameter is a site casualty parameter and/or a site economic parameter, while the loss-basis event is a casualty-basis event and/or an economic-basis event, non-limiting examples of which include an earthquake, flooding, wind, and blast pressure.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for estimating bidder valuation. A probability that a bid of a first bidder in an auction is not greater than a first value is determined, wherein a second bidder has a valuation in the auction equal to a second value. A rate at which the probability changes is determined. The ratio of the probability to the rate of change is determined. The ratio is added to the rival bid to determine an estimate of the first bidder's valuation.

Abstract: A method for providing a person with a secure retirement program employs a computerized system to allocate assets owned by a person towards purchase of retirement benefits. The system selects at least one desired retirement benefit from a group of available retirement benefits. A user may specify a conversion period for allocating the assets to the selected benefits during this conversion period. The system allocates portions of the assets towards purchasing a fraction of the selected benefits at selected intervals within the conversion period. Thereafter, the system calculates benefit payments corresponding to the selected retirement benefits to the person during and after the conversion period, wherein the benefit payments during the conversion period are from contributions made from the assets and the purchased benefits, and the benefit payments after the conversion period are provided by the purchased benefits.

Abstract: A method facilitating secure financial transactions using email is presented comprising the steps of receiving bill data at a server implementing the method, and generating an email message to a recipient with information including at least a portion of the received bill data. The amount of bill data included in the email message is based, at least in part, on the email address of the recipient.

Abstract: A computer-implemented marketplace (16) for providing financial transaction services to participants (12, 14, 60, 62) in connection with commercial transactions involving the participants (12, 14, 60, 62) includes a database (22). The database (22) contains registration information for types of transactions available to participants (12, 14, 60, 62) and participation criteria for each participant (12, 14, 60, 62) that specifies types of transactions in which the participant (12, 14, 60, 62) is willing to participate. Processes (24) provide associated financial transaction services for the participants (12, 14, 60, 62) in connection with ongoing transactions involving the participants (12, 14, 60, 62).

Abstract: A system manages resources among groups of workers that are connected to one another through a network. The system maintains the security of the resources and improves the operations of the groups. Each group manages the rights to use resources such as windows, objects, and data belonging to the group. Each group is allowed to use only resources whose rights to use are allocated to the group. The groups may exchange the resources among them through a job monitor (2). The job monitor automatically handles the rights to use the resources among the groups according to the working conditions of the groups, procedures, and a job definition form (11). The groups independently and cooperatively carry out jobs. The system employs telephones and pagers to access the members of the groups if they are absent from predetermined locations, to improve the operations of each group.

Abstract: A method and system for centralized automated reconciliation of investment manager and related custody accounts makes use of computer hardware and software in a service bureau environment to receive information and records electronically from fund managers and custodian banks in different formats, to reformat the files for inputting to the system, and to perform the reconciliation process in a uniform manner. The system also allows one or both of fund managers and custodians to establish matching rules, to view the results of the matching process, to track the investigation process for unmatched records, and to manually match unmatched records.

Abstract: A multivariable search system for the comparative analysis of financial products allows the user to enter a set of criteria of their choice with desired ranges and in addition, a weighting factor to be applied to the criteria. Mutual funds, for instance, may be searched according to desired rates of return, fund type categories, and assigned levels of weight or emphasis on different ones of the criteria. Search results may be returned in coded form, indicating which candidate products they match all of the selected criteria, and which ones generate the highest net score given the weighting and other factors. Searches may be revised or refined based on the presented results, or new searches may be performed. Hot linkable connections may be presented to transaction sites to carry out purchases, obtain prospectuses, or other activities relating to the mutual fund or other financial products returned.

Abstract: A system and method for processing financial payments including a user terminal, an account processor, and a processing server. The processing server receives financial transaction data from the user terminal and communicates with the account processor, the financial transaction data comprising an amount and an account number. The processing server determines which of the account processors corresponds to the financial transaction data and transmits at least part of the financial transaction data to the determined account processor.

Abstract: Transaction processing of online transactions at merchant sites determines the likelihood that such transactions are fraudulent, accounting for unreliable fields of a transaction order, which fields do not reliably identify a purchaser. A scoring server using statistical model uses multiple profiles associated with key fields, along with weights to indicate the degree to which the profiles identify the purchaser of the transaction.

Abstract: A multivariable search system for the comparative analysis of financial products allows the user to enter a set of criteria of their choice with desired ranges and in addition, a weighting factor to be applied to the criteria. Mutual funds, for instance, may be searched according to desired rates of return, fund type categories, and assigned levels of weight or emphasis on different ones of the criteria. Search results may be returned in coded form, indicating which candidate products they match all of the selected criteria, and which ones generate the highest net score given the weighting and other factors. Searches may be revised or refined based on the presented results, or new searches may be performed. Hot linkable connections may be presented to transaction sites to carry out purchases, obtain prospectuses, or other activities relating to the mutual fund or other financial products returned.

Abstract: Software and methodology for active account management using volatility arbitrage is described. The software and method of the invention identify differences between the volatility of an index and the volatilities of the constituents of that index, that is, the dispersion, and harvests or extracts those differences in the form of premiums. A method comprises establishing tracking baskets populated with component equities which satisfy prescribed criteria, such as possessing a high degree of correlation to the underlying index, a predetermined volatility differential relative to the underlying index, or both. The tracking basket is then dynamically hedged using options. In another aspect of the invention, methods and software are provided for the selection of options to dynamically hedge the trading basket.

Abstract: A system and method for the correction of credit information and for submitting loan documents. A borrower and/or loan facilitator completes loan documents in an electronic fashion and submits the information over the internet to the systems server of the present invention. The server then acquires credit information and parses the information into a database for subsequent manipulation by the user in any desired fashion. The system also allows for electronic versions of supporting documentation to be assembled electronically with the loan documents so that the loan pack can be a complete electronic version with supporting documents, for presentations to a plurality of lenders. The lenders then respond to the server with their offers and the server presents the offers to the borrower. Thus by bidding on the borrower's loan requirements the lenders provide the most cost effective package to the borrower.