Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for rating merchants in different industries, based on transaction data for the merchants and relative to multiple other merchants within same industries as the merchants to be rated. A merchant to be rated is initially identified (e.g., from a request, etc.), along with an industry with which the merchant is associated. Transaction data for the merchant is then accessed from a payment network. The transaction data includes data relating to both payment transactions and chargeback transactions to the merchant over a time interval. Next, a score for the merchant is generated based on at least a number of the chargeback transactions to the merchant during the time interval, and on transaction data for multiple other merchants within the same industry as the merchant. The resulting score is then associated with a risk rating for the merchant, thereby providing an indicator of the merchant's reliability.

Abstract: A method of targeting commercial entities for transaction-card usage revenue enhancement. The method includes functionally combining electronically searchable data sources concerning actual or potential commercial transaction-card using entities. The electronically searchable data sources include data concerning the commercial transaction card-using entities, relating to its relationship with a transaction-card issuer, firmographic data, and transaction record data concerning transaction card usage by commercial transaction card-using entities. The first plurality of electronically searchable data sources is electronically searched to identify one or more model-performance actual or potential commercial transaction-card using entities. A set of key metric categories is identified among the electronically searchable data sources, in which the model-performance card-using entities exceed their peers.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for selecting an audience of potential acceptors for receiving a targeted communication and for making a targeted communication to an audience of potential acceptors. The method involves retrieving, from one or more databases, a first set of information including checking account activities and characteristics attributable to an audience of checking account customers. At least a portion of the audience of checking account customers are identifiably associated with an audience of payment card holders. The method also involves retrieving, from one or more databases, a second set of information including payment card activities and characteristics attributable to the audience of payment card holders. Payment card holders meeting selection criteria are identified based on the first set of information and the second set of information. Payment card holders meeting the selection criteria are selected for receiving a targeted communication (e.g., a payment card upgrade).