Abstract: An improved financial transaction device comprising bar-coded information incorporating one of a plurality of algorithmic signatures, the signature being configured to permit at least one party involved in a financial transaction to store pertinent data in a multi-organizational payment tracking database, wherein the signature comprises a payment tracking identifier capable of uniquely referencing a single financial transaction and some of the pertinent data. The transaction may correspond to a format signature which may be in the form of a unique pictographic image representing the arrangement of data on a financial device for comparison against a library or database of signatures for purposes of device recognition.