Abstract: An apparatus for computing a bid price for a plurality of items includes an input portion, a processing portion, and an output portion. The input portion is adapted to electronically receive a bid for an online auction listing for a plurality of items, the bid including a limit price and an initial bid price for each of the plurality of items, and a total bid price for an entirety of the plurality of items. The processing portion is adapted to electronically compute a bid price for each of the plurality of items, such that a sum of the computed bid prices for the plurality of items is substantially equal to the total bid price. The output portion is adapted to electronically transmit the computed bid prices for the plurality of items to an online auction portion, the online auction portion accepting the bid in accordance with the computed bid prices.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer-readable storage medium for coordinating payment between a payor and a payee of a transaction for a contractual obligation includes electronically receiving of payor and payee bank account information, electronically receiving transaction information, and electronically transmitting a debit request to a payment processor. The debit request includes instructions to create a discrete financial account for the online transaction, debit an amount from the payor's bank account, and hold the debited amount in the discrete financial account. After the contractual obligation is satisfied, a credit request is electronically transmitted to a payment processor. The credit request includes instructions to credit the payee's bank account with a payment amount from funds held in the discrete financial account.