Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for electronically guaranteeing rent payment are provided. An exemplary method includes electronically receiving, by a payment program platform, monetary funds to be deposited in a payment card account hosted by the payment program platform and designating at least a portion of the received monetary funds as allocated rent payment funds in accordance to a rent payment policy. The method further includes electronically providing the allocated rent payment funds to a rent payment management server (RPMS) for storage and electronically releasing, by the RPMS, an accumulated amount of monetary funds that includes the allocated rent payment funds to a landlord entity in accordance to the rent payment policy.

Abstract: Improved ATMs, and systems including one or more ATMs, are described. A specially configured message module is electrically interconnected to an ATM, thereby enabling the ATM, or ATM system, to generate message data tailored according to ATM users' previous activities/behavior. According to embodiments, systems of the present disclosure may also include an improved payment network enabled to perform some or all of the processes of the message module.

Abstract: A computer system can be configured to execute an electronic payment infrastructure. In some examples, the system includes one or more computers, a rotating savings and credit association (ROSCA) establisher, and a ROSCA manager. The ROSCA establisher is configured for receiving, from a communications network, one or more establishment messages specifying user identifiers and storing, in a database, an electronic payment record for each user identifier. The ROSCA manager is configured for collecting, at each collection time specified by schedule data, an incoming payment for each user identifier using the electronic payment records stored in the database and providing, at each distribution time specified by the schedule data, an outgoing payment for a selected user identifier using the electronic payment record associated with the selected user identifier in the database. The outgoing payment is based on a sum of the incoming payments for the user identifiers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing electronic alternatives to cash on delivery (COD) acceptance of tendered goods/services are disclosed. In some aspects, the method can be performed at a clearing management server (CMS) that includes at least one processor. The CMS is configured to receive, via a communications network, an authorization request from an acquiring entity for authorizing a purchase transaction for a good/service. The authorization request can include at least a merchant identifier, a customer identifier, and a transaction amount used for authenticating the purchase. The method further includes receiving an authorization response from an issuing entity, receiving and storing a clearing record associated with the purchase transaction, receiving confirmation that the good/service is delivered to a customer at a delivery time, and processing the clearing record at the delivery time such that settlement occurs at the delivery time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for electronically guaranteeing payment of bills are provided. An exemplary method is performed at a utility payment management server (UPMS) that includes at least one processor. The method includes receiving, via a communications network, payment information including a payment card number or an account number communicated from a computing platform. The method further includes receiving, from the computing platform, an indication of a monetary amount required to pay one or more bills, or portions thereof. The method further includes electronically allocating the monetary amount required to pay the one or more bills by placing a temporary lien on funds associated with the payment card number or the account number and electronically releasing the monetary amount to one or more providers according to a predetermined schedule as communicated by the computing platform.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for implementing a scavenger hunt reward program are described. Merchant point-of-sale level transaction data is obtained and stored. Other trackable transaction data, such as consumer location at the time of a transaction for example, is also obtained and stored. The received transaction and other trackable data are used to identify qualifying transactions with respect to one or more sets of instructions presented to the consumer. Upon the consumer completing some or all of the sets of instructions, at least one reward program sponsor is informed of such completion, and a reward/benefit is disbursed to the consumer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for implementing a pooled reward program that incentivizes consumer spending by exploiting the competitive nature of humans are described. Multiple consumers form a reward program group. When a target (either consumer level or group level) is met or exceeded, at least one consumer of the group receives a reward/benefit. When the target is group level, at least one consumer with the highest value receives a benefit/reward when the group value meets or exceeds the target. When the target is consumer level, the consumer that meets or surpasses the target first receives the benefit/reward. Upon one or more of the consumers receiving the benefit/reward, the point values may be zeroed, and the competition may be started over.