Abstract: The disclosed methods and systems provide a server that allows continuous transaction analysis by monitoring transaction data associated with different payment cards and detecting inactive cards. When the server receives a notification, from a transaction analysis server, that a data interruption related to an inactive card has occurred, the server determines a transaction pattern for the inactive card; monitors and detects newly activated cards; and determines a second transaction pattern for the newly activated cards. If the first and the second transaction patterns are similar, the server generates an instance within a dataset corresponding to the newly activated card that links the newly activated card to the inactive card. Furthermore, the server transmits an instruction to the transaction analytics server to continue the transaction analysis using data corresponding to the newly activated card.

Abstract: The disclosure facilitates the generation and provision of stop locations based on context data and transaction data associated with a user's account. Context data indicating a location and travel path of a user is collected from a computing device of the user and a plurality of stop locations are identified by a recommendation engine based on the context data. User transaction data associated with the user is received by the recommendation engine. User preference data is determined by the recommendation engine based on the transaction data. The recommendation engine provides a recommendation of at least one stop location based on the user preference data, whereby the user is enabled to select a stop location based on the recommendation. Generating recommendations based on the user's transaction data and context data provides reliable recommendations to the user and enhances the efficiency of the user's stops while traveling.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining objective restaurant cost characteristics for one or more merchant restaurants. The method is implemented using a restaurant cost ratings (RCR) computing device. The method includes storing transaction data for a plurality of restaurant transactions. The method further includes receiving a request for one or more restaurant cost characteristics for one or more merchant restaurants. The method also includes determining the one or more restaurant cost characteristics for the one or more merchant restaurants based on the transaction data stored in the memory. The method further includes transmitting the one or more restaurant cost characteristics for the one or more merchant restaurants to a remote computing device.

Abstract: The disclosure facilitates the generation and provision of stop locations based on context data and transaction data associated with a user's account. Context data indicating a location and travel path of a user is collected from a computing device of the user and a plurality of stop locations are identified by a recommendation engine based on the context data. User transaction data associated with the user is received by the recommendation engine. User preference data is determined by the recommendation engine based on the transaction data. The recommendation engine provides a recommendation of at least one stop location based on the user preference data, whereby the user is enabled to select a stop location based on the recommendation. Generating recommendations based on the user's transaction data and context data provides reliable recommendations to the user and enhances the efficiency of the user's stops while traveling.

Abstract: A method for generating a list of recommended merchants based on an input merchant is provided. The method uses a recommender computing device. The method includes receiving an input merchant identifier, retrieving a first electronic data signal based on the input merchant identifier including historical transaction data of the input merchant including historical payment transactions initiated by candidate cardholders with the input merchant, and storing a list of the candidate cardholders. The method further includes retrieving a second electronic data signal that includes historical transaction data for at least some of the candidate cardholders included in the list of candidate cardholders and a candidate merchant identifier that identifies the candidate merchants, generating a list of candidate merchants from the second data signal including a ranking of the candidate merchants, and generating a list of recommended merchants based on the list of candidate merchants.

Abstract: A novel solution to the vexing problem of how to secure a cashless transaction card and card account from unauthorized use. By adding enhanced security to a cashless transaction card, the present invention significantly reduces, and may in fact eliminate, unauthorized use of a cashless transaction card and card account. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a cashless transaction card and card account are linked with an authentication device that must be in proximity with the cashless transaction card when that card is being used for a cashless transaction. In this way, the present invention makes unauthorized use of the card significantly less likely. The authentication device is chosen by the owner and linked thereby with the cashless transaction card and card account. Only when the authentication device is in proximity with the cashless transaction card will a cashless transaction be authorized.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided determining affiliation of foreign payment card holders (e.g., students) with domestic educational institutions (e.g., universities and colleges). In particular, the present disclosure provides a method and a system for assessing the relative degree of proximity of the residential geolocation of the foreign payment card holders and the geolocation of the domestic educational institutions to facilitate determining whether the foreign payment card holders are affiliated with the domestic educational institutions, and also for assessing purchasing and payment behavior of the foreign payment card holders at domestic merchants. Predictive behavioral profiles are generated based on the purchasing and payment activities and shopping patterns of the foreign payment card holders by date at the domestic merchants, and the relative degree of proximity of the residential geolocation of the foreign payment card holders with the geolocation of the domestic educational institutions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining objective restaurant cost characteristics for one or more merchant restaurants. The method is implemented using a restaurant cost ratings (RCR) computing device. The method includes storing transaction data for a plurality of restaurant transactions. The method further includes receiving a request for one or more restaurant cost characteristics for one or more merchant restaurants. The method also includes determining the one or more restaurant cost characteristics for the one or more merchant restaurants based on the transaction data stored in the memory. The method further includes transmitting the one or more restaurant cost characteristics for the one or more merchant restaurants to a remote computing device.

Abstract: A method for generating a list of recommended merchants based on an input merchant is provided. The method uses a recommender computing device. The method includes receiving an input merchant identifier, retrieving a first electronic data signal based on the input merchant identifier including historical transaction data of the input merchant including historical payment transactions initiated by candidate cardholders with the input merchant, and storing a list of the candidate cardholders. The method further includes retrieving a second electronic data signal that includes historical transaction data for at least some of the candidate cardholders included in the list of candidate cardholders and a candidate merchant identifier that identifies the candidate merchants, generating a list of candidate merchants from the second data signal including a ranking of the candidate merchants, and generating a list of recommended merchants based on the list of candidate merchants.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying cardholder spree shopping behavior is implemented by a spree shopping identification (SSI) computing device in communication with a memory. The method includes receiving historical transaction data from a payment processor and generating at least one shopping profile using at least a portion of the historical transaction data. The shopping profiles include at least one leading indicator used to identify transaction characteristics consistent with spree shopping behavior. The method further includes receiving current transaction data, applying the shopping profiles to the current transaction data, and determining that a candidate cardholder is engaged in spree shopping behaviors.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes (a) accessing a database that contains records of payment card transactions, (b) filtering the records based on a filtering criterion and a period of time, thus yielding filtered transactions that occurred during the period of time, (c) identifying from the filtered transactions, customers of a first merchant, (d) identifying from the filtered transactions, a second merchant with which the customers engaged in transactions, and (e) calculating, from the filtered transactions, an index that indicates an affinity between the first merchant and the second merchant. Lists of merchants and accounts are used to compute an aggregate purchases list, an aggregate number of transactions list, a purchase penetration list, a card penetration list, and a transaction penetration list, at national level. There is also provided a system that employs the method, and a storage device that contains instructions for controlling a processor to perform the method.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for identifying geographic markets for merchant expansion. In particular, a method and a system are provided for identifying geographic markets for merchant expansion based on the geolocations of the purchasing and payment activities of payment card holders and/or geolocations of residence of the payment card holders. The method and system identify a merchant's best customers, build a look-alike model to the merchant's best customers (best prospect customers), and analyze the best prospect customers' spend at a zip code level to identify geolocations for merchant expansion. Predictive merchant expansion models are generated based on the geolocations of the purchasing and payment activities of the payment card holders and/or geolocations of residence of the payment card holders.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for understanding spend behavior of foreign payment card holders at domestic merchants. In particular, the present disclosure provides a method and a system for assessing purchasing and payment behavior of a plurality of foreign payment card holders at one or more domestic merchants based on purchasing and payment activities of the plurality of foreign payment card holders, countries of origin of the plurality of foreign payment card holders, and one or more categories of domestic merchants associated with the purchasing and payment activities of the plurality of foreign payment card holders. Indices are generated based on the purchasing and payment activities of the plurality of foreign payment card holders, the countries of origin of the plurality of foreign payment card holders, and the one or more categories of domestic merchants. Predictive behavioral models are generated based on the one or more indices.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for indexing purchasing and/or payment activities of cross border payment card holders. In particular, one or more indices are generated based on the purchasing and payment activities of the cross border payment card holders, the countries of origin of the cross border payment card holders, and the categories of merchants. Based on the one or more indices, purchasing and/or payment behavior of cross border payment card holders is assessed. The method includes retrieving a first set of information comprising payment card transaction information of a plurality of cross border payment card holders; optionally retrieving a second set of information comprising merchant information; generating one or more indices based on the first set of information and optionally the second set of information; and assessing purchasing and payment behavior of the plurality of cross border payment card holders based on the one or more indices.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided determining affiliation of foreign payment card holders (e.g., students) with domestic educational institutions (e.g., universities and colleges). In particular, the present disclosure provides a method and a system for assessing the relative degree of proximity of the residential geolocation of the foreign payment card holders and the geolocation of the domestic educational institutions to facilitate determining whether the foreign payment card holders are affiliated with the domestic educational institutions, and also for assessing purchasing and payment behavior of the foreign payment card holders at domestic merchants. Predictive behavioral profiles are generated based on the purchasing and payment activities and shopping patterns of the foreign payment card holders by date at the domestic merchants, and the relative degree of proximity of the residential geolocation of the foreign payment card holders with the geolocation of the domestic educational institutions.

Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate strategic installation of charging ports for charging electric vehicles. Transaction information associated with financial transactions executed using payment cards is analyzed to determine identification (ID) proxies for consumers, charging locations, and reference locations. Predictors are used to determine outputs that facilitate strategic installation of charging ports.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for optimizing customer volume at a merchant store. In particular, the present disclosure provides a method and a system for forecasting how many shoppers will be in a merchant store at certain times of the day. The method and the system enable the merchant to forecast shopper volume at a merchant store for a defined date and time, and to make a targeted promotional offer at a merchant store for a defined date and time to a plurality of payment card holders. The method and the system are useful for the merchant in terms of optimizing resource needs, and enabling the merchant to run promotions that only apply during “down-times” to drive more shoppers to their store.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for determining when and what time a shopper should go shopping at a merchant. In particular, the present disclosure provides a method and a system for conveying to a shopper various shopping patterns by date and time, and by gender or age group, of a plurality of payment card holders at one or more merchants, based on one or more payment card holder purchase behaviors, to enable the shopper to select a date and time, or gender or age group, for shopping at the one or more merchants. The method and system can be used by shoppers to choose the preferred date/time, or gender or age group of fellow shoppers, to visit a specific merchant.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for determining criminal propensities in a geographic location based on customer card transaction data are disclosed. In one example, the method includes utilizing purchase card transaction data associated with purchase card transactions conducted during a designated time period to determine a plurality of first normalized regional expenditure indices corresponding to a plurality of industry categories for a first geographic location.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) accessing a database that contains records of payment card transactions, (b) filtering the records based on a filtering criterion and a period of time, thus yielding filtered transactions that occurred during the period of time, (c) identifying from the filtered transactions, customers of a first merchant, (d) identifying from the filtered transactions, a second merchant with which the customers engaged in transactions, and (e) calculating, from the filtered transactions, an index that indicates an affinity between the first merchant and the second merchant. There is also provided a system that employs the method, and a storage device that contains instructions for controlling a processor to perform the method.