Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. The POS system architecture may include a POS terminal including a POS receiver, a virtual display and a transmitter, and a transaction processing network including a network receiver and processor. The network receiver may be configured to receive a payment authorization request. The virtual display may be configured to display selectable options. The options may be displayed prior to processing the payment authorization request. The selectable options may include a first and second option. The first option may be to apply a merchant-funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. The second option may be to continue to apply the default issuer funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. When the first option is selected, a processor may be configured to terminate the issuer funded reward program network and activate the merchant-funded rewards program network.

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling an alternative processing network for a custom rewards transaction performed at a POS. A custom rewards transaction may be a transaction in which a customer opts-in to a merchant-funded rewards (MFR) program. Opting-in to the MFR program may terminate the customer's default enrollment in a conventional issuer-bank funded rewards program. Opting-in to the MFR program may also reroute the processing of the transaction from a conventional processing network to the alternative processing network. The alternative processing network may incur transaction fees to a merchant that are lower than the transaction fees of the conventional processing network.

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling free form rewards in a custom rewards transaction at a POS terminal. A custom rewards transaction may be a transaction in which a customer opts-in to a merchant-funded rewards (“MFR”) program. The merchant may offer rewards in the MFR program based on location and customer data. The merchant may offer rewards that promote customer behaviors that are advantageous to the merchant. Opting-in to the MFR program may terminate the customer's default enrollment in a conventional issuer-bank funded rewards program.

Abstract: A system for integrating custom benefits into a communication transmission exchange is provided. The communication transmission exchange may include a plurality of entities. The system may include a receiver configured to receive a custom benefit selection. A second entity may perform the selection. The custom benefit may be associated with a first entity. The selection may trigger termination of any predetermined benefits to be communicated from a fourth entity to the second entity. The predetermined benefits may have been previously associated with a communication associated with the custom benefit. The selection may trigger instantiation of a communication line between the first entity and the second entity. The communication line may be for delivering a custom benefit communication, associated with the custom benefit, from the first entity to the second entity. The selection may also trigger deliverance of the custom benefit communication from the first entity to the second entity.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and architectures for dynamically incentivizing use of payment instrument(s) by customer(s) on purchase(s) from merchant(s) are described. Methods, apparatus and architectures may include/involve providing electronic platform(s) for enabling customer reward option(s). Reward option(s) may include standard reward option(s) associated with interchange fee(s) upon acquirer(s) affiliated with the merchant(s). Reward option(s) may include custom reward option(s) funded by the merchant(s) and associated with discounted interchange fee(s). Discounted interchange fee(s) may incentivize reduced cost(s) of acceptance imposed on merchant(s) by acquirer(s). The reward options may be selected to drive incremental sales to participating merchant(s).

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling free form rewards in a custom rewards transaction at a POS terminal. A custom rewards transaction may be a transaction in which a customer opts-in to a merchant-funded rewards (“MFR”) program. The merchant may offer rewards in the MFR program based on location and customer data. The merchant may offer rewards that promote customer behaviors that are advantageous to the merchant. Opting-in to the MFR program may terminate the customer's default enrollment in a conventional issuer-bank funded rewards program.

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. The POS system architecture may include a POS terminal including a POS receiver, a virtual display and a transmitter, and a transaction processing network including a network receiver and processor. The network receiver may be configured to receive a payment authorization request. The virtual display may be configured to display selectable options. The options may be displayed prior to processing the payment authorization request. The selectable options may include a first and second option. The first option may be to apply a merchant-funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. The second option may be to continue to apply the default issuer funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. When the first option is selected, a processor may be configured to terminate the issuer funded reward program network and activate the merchant-funded rewards program network.

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling merchant funded rewards at a POS terminal. Systems and methods are provided for tracking customer activity and determining an appropriate merchant funded reward. The POS terminal may determine an appropriate merchant, funded reward based on location and historical customer transaction data. The merchant may offer a custom reward that promotes customer behaviors that are advantageous to the merchant and other transaction participants. A merchant funded rewards program may be configured to drive incremental sales to merchants that participate in the program.

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. The POS system architecture may include a POS terminal including a POS receiver, a virtual display and a transmitter, and a transaction processing network including a network receiver and processor. The network receiver may be configured to receive a payment authorization request. The virtual display may be configured to display selectable options. The options may be displayed prior to processing the payment authorization request. The selectable options may include a first and second option. The first option may be to apply a merchant-funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. The second option may be to continue to apply the default issuer funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. When the first option is selected, a processor may be configured to terminate the issuer funded reward program network and activate the merchant-funded rewards program network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a surcharge yield are provided. A surcharge behavior may be monitored during a time period. A change in a first performance metric may be monitored during the time period. A change in a second performance metric may be monitored during the time period. A relationship between the surcharge behavior, the change in the first performance metric and the change in the second performance metric may be determined. The surcharge yield may be determined based on the relationship. Apparatus and methods for adjusting a transaction cost recovery amount are provided. A rate of change in a transaction volume may be monitored. The transaction volume may be associated with a merchant location. When a threshold rate of change is detected the transaction cost recovery amount may be adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an auth-process determination for a point of sale (“POS”)—purchase executed using a balance-verified transaction identifier is provided. The transaction identifier may include identifier information configured as a pointer to a DDA account. A receiver may be configured to receive the balance-verified transaction identifier information and purchase information. The apparatus may retrieve DDA account information using previously-entered DDA account access information. The apparatus may calculate an auth-process determination based on the DDA account information and the purchase information. The apparatus may store, in real time, an auth-process determination indicator in the memory at the POS. The auth-process determination indicator corresponding to the auth-process determination. The apparatus may also cause to display the auth-process determination indicator on a POS screen.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for auditing a transaction record are provided. The transaction record may correspond to a credit card transaction. The auditing may include identifying a surcharge violation. The surcharge violation may be an unlawful surcharge. The auditing may identify patterns of double surcharging. Transaction-level auditing may include ensuring that a surcharge is returned upon a product return. A mobile wallet application may allow consumers to access and/or report merchant surcharge compliance activity. Functionality may include surcharge receipt scanning for use in crosschecking authenticity of a consumer report. Additional crosscheck functionality provided by geographic location support. Embodiments may include a registry for merchants that certify their surcharge calculations.

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. The POS system architecture may include a POS terminal including a POS receiver, a virtual display and a transmitter, and a transaction processing network including a network receiver and processor. The network receiver may be configured to receive a payment authorization request. The virtual display may be configured to display selectable options. The options may be displayed prior to processing the payment authorization request. The selectable options may include a first and second option. The first option may be to apply a merchant-funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. The second option may be to continue to apply the default issuer funded rewards program network to the payment authorization request. When the first option is selected, a processor may be configured to terminate the issuer funded reward program network and activate the merchant-funded rewards program network.

Abstract: A system for integrating custom benefits into a communication transmission exchange is provided. The communication transmission exchange may include a plurality of entities. The system may include a receiver configured to receive a custom benefit selection. A second entity may perform the selection. The custom benefit may be associated with a first entity. The selection may trigger termination of any predetermined benefits to be communicated from a fourth entity to the second entity. The predetermined benefits may have been previously associated with a communication associated with the custom benefit. The selection may trigger instantiation of a communication line between the first entity and the second entity. The communication line may be for delivering a custom benefit communication, associated with the custom benefit, from the first entity to the second entity. The selection may also trigger deliverance of the custom benefit communication from the first entity to the second entity.

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling free form rewards in a custom rewards transaction at a POS terminal. A custom rewards transaction may be a transaction in which a customer opts-in to a merchant-funded rewards (“MFR”) program. The merchant may offer rewards in the MFR program based on location and customer data. The merchant may offer rewards that promote customer behaviors that are advantageous to the merchant. Opting-in to the MFR program may terminate the customer's default enrollment in a conventional issuer-bank funded rewards program.

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling an alternative processing network for a custom rewards transaction performed at a POS. A custom rewards transaction may be a transaction in which a customer opts-in to a merchant-funded rewards (MFR) program. Opting-in to the MFR program may terminate the customer's default enrollment in a conventional issuer-bank funded rewards program. Opting-in to the MFR program may also reroute the processing of the transaction from a conventional processing network to the alternative processing network. The alternative processing network may incur transaction fees to a merchant that are lower than the transaction fees of the conventional processing network.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and architectures for dynamically incentivizing use of payment instrument(s) by customer(s) on purchase(s) from merchant(s) are described. Methods, apparatus and architectures may include/involve providing electronic platform(s) for enabling customer reward option(s). Reward option(s) may include standard reward option(s) associated with interchange fee(s) upon acquirer(s) affiliated with the merchant(s). Reward option(s) may include custom reward option(s) funded by the merchant(s) and associated with discounted interchange fee(s). Discounted interchange fee(s) may incentivize reduced cost(s) of acceptance imposed on merchant(s) by acquirer(s). The reward options may be selected to drive incremental sales to participating merchant(s).

Abstract: A network for maintaining and disbursing rewards on behalf of a plurality of anonymous crypto-currency holders is provided. The network may be in communication with a crypto-currency platform. The plurality of crypto-currency account holders may also be in communication with the crypto-currency platform. The network may include a receiver. The receiver may be configured to receive purchase information from the crypto-currency platform. The purchase information may be related to at least one purchase performed using crypto-currency at a POS device. The purchase may be performed by at least one of the plurality of anonymous crypto-currency holders. The purchase information may include a purchase price. The network may include a transmitter for transmitting reward information to the POS device. The transmitting reward information may include transmitting at least one an anonymous bearer coupon, a reduction in the purchase price or a crypto-currency refund or reward.

Abstract: A merchant point-of-sale (“POS”) system architecture is provided. Systems and methods are provided for enabling merchant funded rewards at a POS terminal. Systems and methods are provided for tracking customer activity and determining an appropriate merchant funded reward. The POS terminal may determine an appropriate merchant, funded reward based on location and historical customer transaction data. The merchant may offer a custom reward that promotes customer behaviors that are advantageous to the merchant and other transaction participants. A merchant funded rewards program may be configured to drive incremental sales to merchants that participate in the program.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an auth-process determination for a point of sale (“POS”)-purchase executed using a balance-verified automated clearing house (“ACH”) identifier is provided. The ACH identifier may include identifier information configured as a pointer to a DDA account. A receiver may be configured to receive the balance-verified ACH identifier information and purchase information. The apparatus may retrieve DDA account information using previously-entered DDA account access information. The apparatus may calculate an auth-process determination based on the DDA account information and the purchase information. The apparatus may store, in real time, an auth-process determination indicator in the memory at the POS. The auth-process determination indicator corresponding to the auth-process determination. The apparatus may also cause to display the auth-process determination indicator on a POS screen.