Abstract: A method for conducting a business transaction using a payment processing network is disclosed. The method includes sending an authorization request message including an authorization request to an issuer, where the authorization request message originates from a business consumer purchasing goods or services from an oligopolistic business entity. The issuer sends an authorization response message indicating that the authorization request is approved or not approved. Economic incentives associated with the business transaction are provided to the oligopolistic business entity or the business consumer for conducting the business transaction, wherein the incentive would not be available in a transaction between a non-oligopolistic business entity and the business consumer.

Abstract: A method for automatic bill payment is disclosed. The method includes providing for an automatic bill payment process for a user of a portable consumer device, where the automatic bill payment process automatically pays periodic bills of the user at predetermined times. The method also includes providing for an automatic reminder process, where the automatic reminder process automatically sends reminders to the user of the portable consumer device prior to the automatic payment of the bills at the predetermined time intervals.