US20140229366A1 - Method for debit card and checking account autodraw - Google Patents

Abstract

A consumer is prequalified for a line of credit attached to a checking account by a lending institution computer responsive to consumer underwriting data. The lending institution computer makes available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed payment from the checking account. When the line of credit is accessed, the checking account is credited with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or equals the value of a proposed payment. Next, a new value for the line of credit balance available is determined, accounting for value credited to the checking account and a preselected loan advance fee for each loan increment credited to the account.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/724,744, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debt Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed Dec. 21, 2012 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/877,490, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debt Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed Sep. 8, 2010 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/877,524, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debt Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed Sep. 8, 2010 which are divisionals of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/417,162, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debt Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed Apr. 2, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,612, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Methods to AutoDraw for Micro-Credit Attached to a Prepaid Card” filed Apr. 4, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,624, by Crowe et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method to Authorize Draw for Retailer Optimization” filed on Apr. 4, 2008; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/082,863, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debit Card and Checking Account AutoDraw” filed on Jul. 23, 2008, all of which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. This application also relates to: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/016,213, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Associated Methods” filed on Dec. 21, 2007; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/052,454, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Methods to Prioritize Payments from Preselected Bank Account” filed May 12, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/029,975, by Sorbe et al., titled “Methods To Advance Loan Proceeds On Prepaid Cards, Associated Systems and Computer Program Products” filed on Feb. 20, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,612, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Associated Methods to Authorize Draw for Micro-Credit Attached to a Prepaid Card” filed on Apr. 4, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/032,750, by Ahlers et al., titled “Methods, Program Product, and System for Micro-Loan Management” filed on Feb. 29, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/060,559, by Galit et al., titled “Methods, Program Product, and System to Enhance Banking Terms Over Time” filed on Jun. 11, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/082,863, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method For Debit Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed on Jul. 23, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/053,056, by Galit et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method For Loading a Loan On a Pre-Paid Card” filed on May 14, 2008, all of which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. This application also relates to: U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 12/338,365, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Associated Computer-Implemented Methods” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,402, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Associated Computer-Implemented Methods” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,440, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Associated Computer-Implemented Methods” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,584, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Computer-Implemented Methods to Prioritize Payments from Preselected Bank Account” filed Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,645, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Computer-Implemented Methods to Prioritize Payments from Preselected Bank Account” filed Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/389,749, by Sorbe et al., titled “Methods to Advance Loan Proceeds on Prepaid Cards, Associated Systems and Computer Program Products” filed on Feb. 20, 2009; PCT/US09/34692, by Sorbe et al., titled “Methods to Advance Loan Proceeds on Prepaid Cards, Associated Systems and Computer Program Products” filed on Feb. 20, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/389,749, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Associated Methods to Authorize Draw for Micro-Credit Attached to a Prepaid Card” filed on Feb. 20, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/417,199, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Associated Methods to Authorize Draw for Micro-Credit Attached to a Prepaid Card” filed on Apr. 2, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/417,182, by Crowe et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method to Authorize Draw for Retailer Optimization” filed on Apr. 2, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,684, by Ahlers et al., titled “Computer-Implemented Methods, Program Product, and System for Micro-Loan Management” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; PCT/US08/87660 by Ahlers et al., titled “Computer-Implemented Methods, Program Product, and System for Micro-Loan Management” filed on Dec. 19, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,712, by Galit et al., titled “Computer-Implemented Methods, Program Product, and System to Enhance Banking Terms Over Time” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; and PCT/US08/87689 by Galit et al., titled “Computer-Implemented Methods, Program Product, and System to Enhance Banking Terms Over Time” filed on Dec. 19, 2008, all of which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field of Invention
• The present invention relates generally to the financial service and banking product industries, and, more particularly, to systems, computer program products, and associated methods of providing an automatic credit line draw in preselected increments for a checking account, including a checking account accessed through a debit card.
• 2. Background
• It is known that tens of millions of consumers in the US have either limited or no access to traditional credit, either as a result of poor or limited credit history. It is also recognized that non-traditional short-term lending, including, e.g., payday loans, payday advances, and other short-term cash advances, is a $20 billion plus per year industry. Non-traditional loans, however, involve the hassles of applying for and obtaining the loan prior to the consumer having access to the funds. In addition, inherent in requesting a loan is determining an amount of the loan. If the loan amount is too small, the consumer may need to obtain an additional loan, with additional fees; if the loan amount is too large, the consumer will needlessly pay extra interest.
• It is further recognized that financial institutions earn an estimated $17 billion annually by charging overdraft fees to their checking account customers. These fees are sometimes charged in ways that raise concerns among certain consumer protection groups. For example, a $1 overdraft can generate a $35 fee, and a consumer may not realize an overdraft has taken place and would have preferred to not be charged a fee rather than complete the transaction.
• It is also known to use a debit card as payment for a proposed purchase at a merchant. The consumer proposes a purchase and submits the debit card to the merchant so that the merchant can request authorization from a bank associated with the debit card. That is, the merchant checks that funds are available in the checking account associated with the debit card to cover the amount of the proposed purchase. This authorization process also provides an opportunity for security services, such as, for example, verifying of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and determining if the card has been reported as stolen. If there are insufficient funds available in the checking account associated with the debit card to cover the amount of the proposed purchase, the authorization request is denied by the bank, and the proposed purchase is rejected by the merchant. Embarrassed and disappointed, many rejected consumers quickly give up and leave the merchant's premises so that even if a loan or credit were readily available with minimal effort, such as, for example, by placing a short phone call to the bank or another lending institution, the proposed purchase is abandoned.
• It is further known that there are additional ways for consumers to access the funds in checking accounts in addition to debit cards, including, for example, checks, bill payment services, wire transfers, and other withdrawals. Because consumers can use one or all of these tools to make payments from a checking account, each of these ways to access funds can trigger an overdraft.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
• In view of the foregoing, Applicants have recognized one or more sources of many of these problems and provides enhanced embodiments of methods, e.g., computerized methods, of advancing one or more preselected loan increments to a checking account, e.g., a checking accessed with a debit card, and associated systems and computer program products. A debit card provides an alternative payment method to cash or credit when making purchases. While having a similar look and feel to a credit card, a debit card functions more like writing a check as the funds are typically withdrawn directly from the cardholder's bank account without the payment of interest. As such, debit cards are also referred to as check cards. Also, a debit card is generally attached to a bank account and acts as a means of accessing funds, or money, from the account similar to an automated teller machine (ATM) card or as a means of directly paying a merchant for the cost of purchases from the consumer's bank account. A checking account, also known as, for example, a demand account, demand deposit account, negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW) account, or other similar account, is a bank account or deposit account held at a bank or other financial institution wherein the money deposited in the account is available on demand through various means, including checks, debit cards, bill payment services, check cards, wire transfers, and others as understood by those skilled in the art.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a computer-implemented method of accessing a line of credit associated with a checking account. Embodiments include the use of a debit card or other checking account spending device as understood by those skilled in the art. The computer-implemented method can include a lending institution computer prequalifying a consumer for a line of credit for a checking account responsive to consumer underwriting data and predetermined qualification parameters to thereby convert consumer underwriting data into line of credit data. The computer-implemented method can include making available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed payment, including proposed payments using a debit card or other checking account spending device and including proposed payments received by the lending institution computer through the electronic communications network from a point of sale terminal associated with a merchant The line of credit has a total loan value, a preselected loan increment, a preselected loan advance fee associated with each preselected loan increment, and a line of credit balance available: The total loan value represents a maximum amount of value available to the consumer from the lending institution via a line of credit associated with the checking account as understood by those skilled in the art. The computer-implemented method also includes crediting the checking account with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount of value in the account plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or, alternatively, equals the value of the proposed transaction to thereby convert line of credit data into a value associated with the checking account to thereby fund the proposed payment. The computer-implemented method further includes determining a new value for the line of credit balance available. The new value is a previous value for the line of credit balance available minus the value credited to the checking account and minus fees, as each of the one or more preselected loan increments credited to the checking account generates a preselected loan advance fee.
• By prequalifying the consumer for the line of credit and making draws to the line of credit available in the authorization stream for a purchase or a transaction, embodiments of the present invention advantageously allow a consumer to avoid the planning and hassle associated with determining the amount of a loan prior to proposing a purchase. Previously, a consumer would have to determine the amount of the loan necessary to fund the proposed purchase, then secure the loan, and only then propose the purchase at a merchant using, for example, a debit card. If the information necessary to determine the amount of the loan exists only at the merchant, multiple trips to the merchant may be required. Under the embodiments of the present invention, however, multiple trips are not required as the amount of the loan is determined, up to the total loan value, in the authorization stream for a proposed payment, resulting in fewer rejections of proposed purchases, less embarrassment for consumers, and reduced cost due to fewer abandoned sales as understood by those skilled in the art. Advantageously, under the embodiments of the present invention, the consumer only pays for what is actually drawn.
• By crediting the checking account in preselected loan increments, embodiments of the present invention advantageously can guarantee a fee structure that is proportional to the amount of credit accessed. By comparison, an overdraft fee charge by a bank for “bounced” check is often larger than the overdraft amount. Instead, the fee structure according to embodiments of the present invention more closely resembles an automated teller machine (ATM) fee from a consumer's point of view as understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, the use of preselected loan increments can often result in value remaining in the checking account, allowing for small transactions without generating additional loan fees. For example, after of a credit of a preselected loan increment of $50 and subsequent purchase transaction, the balance in the checking account ranges from $0.00 to $49.99.
• According to other embodiments of the present invention, prequalifying a consumer for a line of credit for a checking account, e.g., a checking account associated with a debit card or other checking account payment device, can include, for example, the consumer opting in to a program with the lending institution using a written correspondence from the consumer, a consumer selection on a website, a telephone conversation with an interactive voice response unit, a telephone conversation with a customer service representative, a mobile phone, or a combination thereof as understood by those skilled in the art. That is, embodiments of the present invention provide numerous flexible and convenient ways to initiate the prequalification process. A line of credit amount, for example, can be established based on direct deposit and preselected underwriting formula, as understood by those skilled in the art, that use the amount of direct deposits, among other factors, to determine the size of the credit line available.
• According to other embodiments of the present invention, the amount of value of the proposed purchase of the one or more items can include adjustments for coupons, discounts, instant rebates, and sales tax, or a combination thereof as understood by those skilled in the art.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a system of advancing one or more preselected loan increments to a checking account, e.g., a checking account associated with a debit card. The system includes a lending institution computer positioned to manage a line of credit associated with a checking account, i.e., to control access to funds from a line of credit associated with a checking account; a plurality of merchant computers positioned to determine an amount of value of a proposed purchase of one or more items; and a plurality of point-of-sale terminals, each associated with one or more merchant computers and in communication, through an electronic communications network, with the lending institution computer. The system further includes a computer program product associated with the lending institution computer as discussed below.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a computer program product associated with the lending institution computer, stored on a tangible computer readable memory media, and operable on a computer, the computer program product comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform various operations. The operations include prequalifying a consumer for a line of credit for a checking account, e.g., a checking account associated with a debit card, by the lending institution responsive to consumer underwriting data and predetermined qualification parameters to thereby convert consumer underwriting data into line of credit data. The operations include making available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed payment, e.g., a proposed purchase of one or more items using the debit card as payment. The proposed payment can be, for example, received by the lending institution computer through the electronic communications network from a point of sale terminal associated with a merchant. The operations further include crediting the checking account with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount of value in the account plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or, alternatively, equals the value of a proposed purchase to thereby convert line of credit data into a value associated with the checking account to thereby fund the proposed payment. The operations also include determining a new value for the line of credit balance available, in which the new value is a previous value for the line of credit balance available minus a value equal to the one or more preselected loan increments credited to the checking account and minus a value equal to one or more preselected loan advance fees associated with each of the one or more preselected loan increments credited to the account.
• Embodiments of the present invention, for example, include a plurality of financial institutions interacting to provide various features and benefits. For example, a first financial institution, e.g., a lending institution, can offer lending services and provide the line of credit to the consumer, while a second financial institution can provide the checking account and associated services to the consumer. Embodiments of the present invention include, for example, a gateway model between the lending institution and checking account institution, in which the checking account institution notifies the lending institution for a particular request for credit, allowing the lending institution to make the decision for the particular request. In an alternate embodiment, the lending institution pushes line of credit information to the checking account institution, allowing the checking account institution to make the decision to extend credit for a particular transaction responsive to the information from the lending institution so that the checking account institution can grant authorization of a request in real time. In another embodiment, a file integration of the core bank system between the lending institution and the checking account institution can allow the checking account institution to make the decision to extend credit for a particular transaction responsive to the information from the lending institution so that the checking account institution can grant authorization of a request in real time. Similarly, a file integration of the core bank system between the lending institution and the checking account institute can facilitate repayment of the line of credit and associated fees. Other repayment mechanisms can include, for example, the routing or rerouting of direct deposits to the lending institution, as well as scheduled or automatic repayments from the checking account or yet another account. In addition, a loan processor, e.g., a third financial institution, acting on behalf or in service of the lending institution, can prequalify the consumer for the line of credit responsive to the lending institution's criteria. These embodiments promote flexibility and enable lending and financial institutions to partner with other lending and financial institutions, when appropriate, to maximize account options and line of credit options for the consumer.
• According to another embodiment of the present invention, the lending institution can be a federally-chartered bank subject to federal banking laws and regulations and not subject to state banking laws and regulations. Also, the line of credit program can be a bank product so that the line of credit program complies with federal Regulation Z.
• Embodiments of the present invention also provide, for example, a computer-implemented method of accessing a line of credit. The computer-implemented method includes a lending institution computer prequalifying a consumer for a line of credit for a checking account responsive to consumer underwriting data and predetermined qualification parameters to thereby convert consumer underwriting data into line of credit data Draws to the line of credit line are made available in an authorization stream for a proposed payment. The proposed payment can involve one or more of the following: a check, an electronic check, a debit card, an electronic bill payment, an automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawal, and a wire transfer. The proposed payment can be, for example, received by the lending institution computer through the electronic communications network from a point of sale terminal associated with a merchant. The computer-implemented method also includes crediting the checking account with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount of value in the account plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or, alternatively, equals the value of the proposed payment to thereby convert line of credit data into a value associated with the checking account to thereby fund the proposed payment. The method further includes determining a new value for the line of credit balance available. The new value is a previous value for the line of credit balance available minus the value credited to the account and minus fees, as each of the one or more preselected loan increments credited to the account generates a preselected loan advance fee.
• In addition, embodiments of the present invention include systems, program products, and associated methods of advancing one or more preselected loan increments to a checking account, e.g., a checking account associated with a debit card, and accessing a line of credit with a debit card or other checking account spending device, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• So that the manner in which the features and benefits of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, may be understood in more detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of this specification. It is also to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only various embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scope as it may include other effective embodiments as well.
• FIG. 1A is a schematic flow diagram of a method of accessing a line of credit with a debit card according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 1B is a schematic flow diagram of a method of accessing a line of credit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram of a consumer transaction according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a system of advancing one or more preselected loan increments to a checking account according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 4 is a partial schematic diagram of a computer program product according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of a line of credit flow according to embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of a line of credit flow according to other embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 6 is a schematic front elevational view of an embodiment of an access interface of a program product and system in the form of a graphical user interface of a display of a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a payroll processor system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a program product according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of a gatekeeper model according to embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of a model with pushed line of credit information according to embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram of a core banking system integration according to embodiments of the present invention;
• FIGS. 10A and 10B are respective front and back plan views of a prepaid card according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
• FIG. 11 is a front plan view of a display screen of a computer displaying an excerpt of an account activity statement according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
• As illustrated inFIG. 1A, embodiments of the present invention include a method, e.g., a computerized method, of accessing a line of credit with adebit card100. The method includes prequalifying a consumer for a line of credit for a checking account associated with a debit card by alending institution103 responsive to consumer underwriting data and predetermined qualification parameters to thereby convert consumer underwriting data into line of credit data. The line of credit has a total loan value, a preselected loan increment, a preselected loan advance fee associated with each preselected loan increment, and a line of credit balance available. The method also includes making available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed purchase of one or more items using the debit card as payment when an amount of value of the proposed purchase of the one or more items is greater than an amount of value in thechecking account105. The proposed purchase data is received by the lending institution computer through the electronic communications network from a point of sale terminal associated with a merchant. The method further includes crediting the checking account with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount of value in the account plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or, alternatively, equals the value of a proposedpurchase107 to thereby convert line of credit data into a value associated with the checking account to thereby fund the proposed payment. The method also includes determining a new value for the line of credit balance available, the new value being a previous value for the line of credit balance available minus a value equal to the one or more preselected loan increments credited to the checking account and minus a value equal to one or more preselected loan advance fees associated with each of the one or more preselected loan increments credited to theaccount109.
• As illustrated inFIG. 1B, embodiments of the present invention also provide, for example, a method of accessing a line ofcredit150. The method includes a lending institution prequalifying a consumer for a line of credit for achecking account153 responsive to consumer underwriting data and predetermined qualification parameters to thereby convert consumer underwriting data into line of credit data. Draws to the line of credit line are made available in an authorization stream for a proposedpayment155. The proposed payment can involve one or more of the following: a check, an electronic check, a debit card, an electronic bill payment, an automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawal, and a wire transfer. The proposed payment data can be, for example, received by the lending institution computer through the electronic communications network from a point of sale terminal associated with a merchant. The method also includes crediting the checking account with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount of value in the account plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or, alternatively, equals the value of the proposedpayment157 to thereby convert line of credit data into a value associated with the checking account to thereby fund the proposed payment. The method further includes determining a new value for the line of credit balance available159. The new value is a previous value for the line of credit balance available minus the value credited to the account and minus fees, as each of the one or more preselected loan increments credited to the account generates a preselected loan advance fee. That is, embodiments of the method convert line of credit data into a value associated with a checking account so that the value associated with the checking account is exchanged for goods.
• The flow of a consumer transaction according to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 2, can include, for example, determining the available balance of thechecking account203. If there is an insufficient balance in the checking account to complete the transaction, the available line of credit balance available is determined205. If the checking account balance and line of credit balance available are sufficient to complete the transaction, the transaction is approved207. Next, the checking account is credited in preselected loan increments so that the checking account never goes negative209. Then a new line of credit balance is determined211.
• As understood by those skilled in the art, by prequalifying the consumer for the line of credit and making draws to the line of credit available in the authorization stream for a purchase using a debit card or other payment card as payment, embodiments of the present invention advantageously allow a consumer to avoid the planning and hassle associated with determining the amount of a loan prior to proposing a purchase. Previously, a consumer would have to determine the amount of the loan necessary to fund the proposed purchase, then secure the loan, and only then propose the purchase at a merchant using the debit card. If the information necessary to determine the amount of the loan exists only at the merchant, multiple trips to the merchant may be required. Under the embodiments of the present invention, however, multiple trips are not required as the amount of the loan is determined, up to the total loan value, in the authorization stream for a proposed purchase, e.g., using the debit card as payment, resulting in fewer rejections of proposed purchases, less embarrassment for consumers, and reduced cost due to fewer abandoned sales as understood by those skilled in the art. Advantageously, under the embodiments of the present invention, the consumer only pays for what is actually drawn.
• According to other embodiments of the present invention, the amount of value of proposed purchase of the one or more items can include, for example, coupons, discounts, instant rebates, sales tax, or a combination thereof as understood by those skilled in the art.
• According to other embodiments of the present invention, prequalifying a consumer for a line of credit for a checking account or other account, e.g., an account associated with a debit card or other spending device, can include, for example, the consumer opting in to a program with the lending institution using a written correspondence from the consumer, a consumer selection on a website, a telephone conversation with an interactive voice response unit (IVRU), a telephone conversation with a customer service representative, a mobile phone, or a combination thereof as understood by those skilled in the art. That is, embodiments of the present invention provide numerous flexible and convenient ways to initiate the prequalification process. When launched as an accessible website, for example, the website can provide various software based program product segments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, from which bank products are accessible or downloadable. The website preferably includes secure site pages or portions, as understood by those skilled in the art, as financial and personal data on or for consumers may be provided by a consumer. As described herein, the website in an exemplary embodiment includes account management capabilities as understood by those skilled in the art to enhance qualification of consumers and tracking of consumer usage data or history. By including this feature, embodiments of other program products, methods, and systems can be enhanced and provided.
• Embodiments of the present invention can provide, for example, that the lending institution comprises a first financial institution associated with the line of credit, and that the checking account is associated with a second financial institution so that a first financial institution can offer line of credit services for checking accounts associated with a second financial institution. In addition, embodiments of the present invention, for example, include the lending institution comprising a first lending institution and methods, operations, or instructions including associating the line of credit with a second checking account, or other account, at a second lending institution and decrementing a designated direct deposit from the second checking account, or other account, of the second lending institution for repayment of at least portions of the line of credit. That is, embodiments of the present invention provide for a debit card, or other payment card, to be associated with an account at one bank and the direct deposits used for repayment to be directed to an account at a different bank. These embodiments promote flexibility and enable lending institutions to partner with other lending institutions, when appropriate, to maximize account options and line of credit options for the consumer. Other embodiments include repayment through a file integration between the lending institution and institution that holds the checking accounts, rather than direct deposit rerouting, as understood by those skilled in the art.
• A line of credit amount, for example, can be established responsive to direct deposit data and preselected underwriting formulas, as understood by those skilled in the art, that use the amount of direct deposits, among other factors, to determine the size of the credit line available. In an embodiment of the present invention involving prequalifying a consumer for a line of credit from a bank or other lending institution, the lending institution can require or define, for example, the following initial qualification parameters for a consumer: (1) consumer should provide employment and wage verification through a direct deposit history; (2) consumer should authorize bank initiated withdrawals from their account; and (3) consumer should have a history of at least one electronic deposit. In addition, the following on-going criteria, for example, should be met: (1) consumer's account should be in good standing, not overdrawn, cancelled, or in default of the customer agreement; and (2) consumer should continue to initiate electronic deposits to the account. The bank or lending institution, for example, may elect to make the account ineligible for a line of credit if an electronic deposit ceases. The bank can have a dedicated program manager qualify, approve, or authorize a consumer or can use program product stored in memory to make sure the criteria or parameters are satisfied or meet certain thresholds as selected by the bank or lending institution. The lending institution computer can prequalify a consumer responsive to underwriting data, including consumer underwriting data and initial qualification parameters, ongoing criteria, consumer personal and financial data, and other factors as understood by those skilled in art.
• For example, as illustrated inFIG. 5A, aconsumer501 can request a line of credit through an IVRU or acomputer511 as part of asystem500. Theconsumer501 can use the computer to register at a website using a program product according to embodiments of the present invention and launched from a server, e.g., at a loan processor, underwriting organization, bank, lending institution, other financial institution, payroll processing company, or other entity which can provide the line of credit product, among others, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The form or qualification parameters can be consistent with one or more underwriting organizations or institutions or set/defined by the bank or lending institution. As understood by those skilled in the art, a loan, micro-loan, repayment, line of credit, or other type of payment processor, such as provided by First Data Corporation, Total Systems Services, Inc., Fidelity National Information, Inc., or as custom developed by a bank, a financial institution, or other organization, operates to provide a customer interface on a line of credit or micro-loan request (see, e.g.,access interface600 ofFIG. 6 in the form of a computer display having a graphical user interface) and determines and decides whether a potential or existing customer qualifies for a line of credit product. First Data Corporation, formerly First Data Resources, is a transaction processing company, including prepaid cards, and is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colo., as understood by those skilled in the art. With headquarters located in Columbus, Ga., Total System Services, Inc. provides electronic payment services to financial institutions and companies, including consumer—finance, credit, debit, healthcare, loyalty, prepaid, chip and mobile payments, as understood by those skilled in the art. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Fidelity National Information, Inc. provides core processing for financial institutions, including card issuer, transaction processing, and outsourcing services to financial institutions and retailers, as understood by those skilled in the art. The line of credit orloan processor321,503 for example, can be outsourced by a lending institution, e.g., a bank, if desired, and numerous different loan processors (see, e.g.,FIG. 5A withloan processor503 having underwriting analyzer andinterface software502, for example) or entities that handle this function can be used as well (see also, e.g.,FIG. 3 withcomputer server321 handling the payment processor and interface access roles for consumer lines ofcredit319, for example). When the loan processor prequalifies theconsumer513, the credentials can be passed to alending institution computer307, e.g., a computer associated with a bank or otherfinancial institution507 or other organization, and then a flag, code, notation, or other identifier can be associated with a consumer's profile in adatabase309 so that when the consumer desires to access the line of credit, e.g., through a consumer purchase transaction using the debit card or payment card, the process acknowledges the identifier to then allow incremental micro-loans on the line of credit to be granted as described herein.
• Once prequalified, for example, aconsumer501 can then present, for example, a debit or payment card for payment intransaction515 with amerchant505. Themerchant505, for example, can then requestauthorization517 from thelending institution507 associated with the debit or payment card. Within the authorization stream for the transaction, thelending institution507 through a computer program product described herein, including a loan advance andfee manager504, can credit theconsumer account506 in preselected loan increments from the line ofcredit519. Thelending institution507 can then grant authorization for thepayment521. The merchant exchanges products, including goods and/or services, forpayment523. The consumer provides for the repayment of the loan and fees, typically through direct deposit525 {see also, e.g.,FIG. 7).
• Embodiments of the present invention, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 5B, include a plurality of financial institutions interacting as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, a first financial institution, e.g., alending institution508, can offer lending services and provide the line of credit to the consumer, while a secondfinancial institution509 can provide thechecking account506 and associated services to the consumer. Embodiments of the present invention, for example, provide variations on the line ofcredit messaging518 between the checkingaccount institution509 and thelending institution508 as understood by those skilled in the art. In embodiments of a gateway model between the lending institution and checking account institution, for example, the checkingaccount institution509 notifies thelending institution508 for a particular request forcredit517 as part of the line ofcredit messaging518, allowing the lending institution to make the decision for the particular request so that the checking account institution can grant authorization of arequest521. As further illustrated inFIG. 9A, the checkingaccount institution509 receives theauthorization request517 and, if access to the line of credit is needed to complete the purchase or transaction, requestscredit901 from thelending institution508. The checking account institution only then grants authorization responsive to thelending institution903. In an alternate embodiment, as further illustrated inFIG. 9B, thelending institution508 pushes line ofcredit information905 to the checking account institution509 (as part of the line ofcredit messaging518 inFIG. 5B), allowing the checking account institution to make the decision to extend credit for a particular transaction responsive to the information from the lending institution so that the checking account institution can grant authorization of a request inreal time907. In another embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 9C afile integration909 of the core bank system of thelending institution902 and the core banking system of the checkingaccount institution904 can allow thechecking account institution509 to make the decision to extend credit for a particular transaction responsive to the information from the lending institution so that the checking account institution can grant authorization of a request inreal time911. Core banking system refers to an integrated bank platform, including software and hardware, providing common banking functionality, including, for example, new account and transaction processing, document management and imaging, secure online banking, business intelligence, risk management, business analytics, and integrated workflow Similarly, repayment of the line of credit and associated fees can be achieved through a file integration of the core bank system between the lending institution and the checking account institution, as shown in529 and518, or through the rerouting of direct deposits to the lending institution, as shown at527. According to one embodiment of the present invention, part of a consumer request for a line ofcredit511 involves the consumer agreeing to route direct deposits to thelending institution508 and authorize loan and fee repayment from the direct deposits, as shown in527. Surplus funds can be credited to the consumer'schecking account506 immediately thereafter. Alternately, direct deposit funds can continue to be directed to the consumer'schecking account506, as shown in529. Through such embodiments, a lending financial institution can provide services to another, e.g., non-lending, financial institution as a replacement for its overdraft product by connecting to the core bank system of the institutions.
• The following example illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. See alsoFIG. 11. A consumer initiates engagement through a phone call with a customer service representative and receives approval by the lending institution for a line of credit for a checking account associated with a debit card with preselected loan increments of $20 with a $2.50 fee per increment. The consumer proposes to purchase items with a value of $42, but only has an account balance of $21. The consumer, however, also has $60 available on the line of credit, with an outstanding balance of $0. When the consumer proposes the purchase, the amount of value of the proposed purchase is determined to be $42 (as this example assumes no coupons, discounts, instant rebates, or sales tax for illustrative purposes). The amount of value in the account is determined to be $21. Then the difference is determined to be $21. Next, two (2) preselected increments of $20 each, for a total value of $40, are credited to the checking account so that the account then has a new amount, in this example $61, totaling the amount previously in the account ($21) plus the one or more preselected loan increments (2×$20=$40) and so that the new amount exceeds or, alternatively, equals the value of the proposed purchase ($61>$42). The purchase is transacted, and the account balance after the purchase is $19 ($61−$42−$19). The loan fee is determined to be $5 (2×$2.50 $5). The line of credit balance outstanding is now $45, which is calculated as the previous balance ($0) plus the value of the preselected increments credited to the account ($40) and the value of the loan fee ($5). Therefore, there remains $15 available on the line of credit ($60−2×$20−2×$2.50=$15).
• In other embodiments of the present invention, the lending institution can make available only a part of the preauthorized total loan value available for crediting to the account, responsive to a consumer determination, so that the consumer retains maximum control. For example, the consumer determines to make available only $75 of the preauthorized total loan value, of say $200. The amount of value of the proposed purchase is determined to be $98; the amount of value in the account is determined to be $20; and the difference is determined to be $78. Because the difference is greater than the amount available for crediting to the account, authorization for the proposed purchase is denied, and the proposed purchase is rejected. Alternatively, the lending institution can establish a limit for the draw that is lower than the overall balance available.
• As understood by those skilled in the art, by crediting the consumer's account only in preselected loan increments, embodiments of the present invention advantageously can guarantee a fee structure that is proportional to the amount of credit accessed. By comparison, an overdraft fee charge by a bank for “bounced” check is often by larger than the overdraft amount. Instead, the fee structure according to embodiments of the present invention more closely resembles an automated teller machine (ATM) fee. In addition, the use of preselected loan increments can often result in value remaining in the account, allowing for small transactions without generating additional loan fees. For example, after of a credit of a preselected loan increment of $50 and subsequent purchase transaction, the balance in the account ranges from $0.00 to $49.99.
• According to another embodiment of the present invention, the financial institution can be a federally-chartered bank subject to federal banking laws and regulations and not subject to state banking laws and regulations. Therefore, the federally-chartered financial institution enjoys rate preemption; that is, state licensing requirements, as well as regulations in many states that limit lending interest rates, are preempted and do not apply to the federally-chartered financial institution. As understood by those skilled in the art, a federally-chartered financial institution can operate in every state with a consistent implementation nationally rather than a state-by-state approach, can provide the line of credit as a bank product so that the line of credit complies with federal Regulation Z, and can charge any loan or interest rate without regard to state law.
• According to another embodiment of the present invention, the lending institution can adjust the preauthorized total loan value and repayment terms based on the performance of the consumer. That is, a consumer with good repayment history can typically earn access to a larger line of credit. See alsoFIG. 11.
• As illustrated inFIG. 3, embodiments of the present invention include a system of advancing one or more preselected loan increments to a checking account, e.g., a checking or other consumer account associated with a debit card. Thesystem300 includes a first computer associated with a lending institution defining alending institution computer307. Thelending institution computer307 can include, for example, input-output I/O devices306A; one ormore processors306B;memory306C, such as, computer readable media; and adisplay306D. Thememory306C of thelending institution computer307 can include acomputer program product400 as described herein and can include, for example, one or more databases containing account data files309. Thelending institution computer307 is positioned to manage a line of credit associated with a checking account or other consumer account, i.e., to control access to funds from a line of credit associated with the account. Thesystem300 also includes a plurality of second computers associated with a plurality ofmerchants317 defining a plurality ofmerchant computers313. Eachmerchant computer313 can include, for example, input-output I/O devices314A; one ormore processors314B; andmemory314C, such as, computer readable media. Eachmerchant computer313 is positioned to determine an amount of value of a proposed purchase of one or more items. Thesystem300 further includes a plurality of point-of-sale terminals315, each associated with one or more ofmerchant computers313 and in communication, through anelectronic communications network311, with thelending institution computer307. Each point-of-sale terminal315 has a processor defining an acquiring processor and can be in communication with amerchant computer313. Debit card data can be read by swiping the card through aslot310C past a reading head of a point-of-sale terminal315. The point-of-sale terminal315 can also include adisplay310A and input/output (I/O)devices310B, e.g., a keypad. Thesystem300 further includes a computer program product associated with thelending institution computer307, stored on a tangible computer readable memory media, and operable on a computer, the computer program product comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform various operations as discussed herein.
• In other embodiments of the present invention, the system can include, for example, a plurality of consumeraccess interface devices301, e.g., computers, each havingmemory304C, to communicate through anelectronic communications network311 with thelending institution computer307 and, for example, a line ofcredit loan processor321, to initiate the prequalification process. Eachcustomer computer301 can include, for example, input-output I/O devices304A; one ormore processors304B;memory304C, such as, computer readable media; and adisplay304D. Thememory304C of thecustomer computer301 can include anInternet browser304E, a computer application used for accessing sites or information on a network, as understood by those skilled in the art.
• As illustrated inFIG. 4, embodiments of the present invention include acomputer program product400 associated with thelending institution computer401, stored on a tangible computerreadable memory media403, and operable on a computer, thecomputer program product400 comprising a set ofinstructions405 that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform various operations. The operations include prequalifying a consumer for a line of credit for a checking account, e.g., a checking account associated with a debit card, by thelending institution407 responsive to consumer underwriting data and predetermined qualification parameters to thereby convert consumer underwriting data into line of credit data. The line of credit has a total loan value, a preselected loan increment, a preselected loan advance fee associated with each preselected loan increment, and a line of credit balance available. The operations also include making available draws to the line of credit line in an authorization stream for a proposed purchase of one or more items using the debit card as payment when an amount of value of the proposed purchase of the one or more items is greater than an amount of value in thechecking account409. The proposed purchase, for example, can be received by the lending institution computer through the electronic communications network from a point of sale terminal associated with a merchant. The operations further include crediting the checking account with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount of value in the account plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or, alternatively, equals the value of a proposedpurchase411 to thereby convert line of credit data into a value associated with the checking account to thereby fund the proposed payment. The operations also include determining a new value for the line of credit balance available, in which the new value is a previous value for the line of credit balance available minus a value equal to the one or more preselected loan increments credited to the checking account and minus a value equal to one or more preselected loan advance fees associated with each of the one or more preselected loan increments credited to theaccount413.
• In other embodiments of the present invention, rather than crediting the consumer account in preselected loan increments with each increment associated with a preselected loan advance fee, the account can be credited with a draw for an exact amount of purchase at a defined rate. In such embodiment, a standard consumer draw on the line of credit could be in $40 increments, but when an auto-draw is initiated by a purchase at a point of sale or an automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawal, the exact amount of finds needed to be borrowed will be advanced. As a result, for example, the fee amount assessed for a $40 draw might be $5.00, while if the amount borrowed on an auto-draw is only $20 the fee would be assessed ratably and would be $2.50 for the borrowing.
• Embodiments of the present invention can, for example, include repayment of at least portions of the line of credit responsive to a subsequent direct deposit received for the consumer's benefit by the bank so that the repayment of the at least portions of the line of credit is deducted from the subsequent direct deposit. That is, loans made under a line of credit can be repaid out of the proceeds of a direct deposit. Recurring direct deposits include, for example, employer payroll funds, federal or state government electronic benefits payments, annuities, dividends, interest payments, lottery winnings, royalty payments, and other streams of payments as understood by one skilled in the art.
• Embodiments of systems, program products, and methods of the present invention can include, for example, for substantially all programs if desired, features such as any repayment of draws on the line of credit can be automatically collected from the next electronic deposit regardless of payment source. As payments are received, fees also can be paid first then the payment applied to the oldest outstanding draw amount. When payments are received, total available line limit is restored by the payment amount. If funds from the electronic deposit are not sufficient to cover the outstanding balance, a partial repayment can be made in the full amount of the electronic deposit resulting in an unpaid balance in the account. Repayment of the remaining unpaid balance can be taken from subsequent electronic deposits until the line has been paid in full. Other cash equivalent repayment options also can be accepted and processed by a line of credit processor as understood by those skilled in the art.
• It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the line of credit product or program product, for example, can be associated with a payroll processing company that processes direct deposits (see, e.g.,FIG. 7). Embodiments of the program product and methods can be added to product or service offerings by thepayroll processing company701 so that it can be offered to their customers independent of bank by taking money or funds out at the source, e.g., as the payroll file is prepared703 and before the direct deposit is even originated, or credited to the checking account, for example. These embodiments can also allow theprocessing company701 to have more direct information on employment history. Apayroll processing company701 can also use aloan processing system707, loan processor, or other payment processor either within their facilities or as an outsourcing entity to allow the provision of enrolling and providingconsumer payroll information705 and for tracking and reconciling repayment or updated consumer payroll information with repayments pulled709. The payroll can be sent, loaded or processed by apayroll processor711 for ACH transmittal, check generation, or account transfer, for example (see, e.g.,FIG. 7). These embodiments of the present invention, for example, can include loan repayment occurring from direct deposit funds prior to or relatively instantaneously with the direct deposit funds being made available in the consumer's account. An example of and more details on how repayment can be accomplished is illustrated in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/016,213 titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Associated Methods” filed on Dec. 21, 2007 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• Additionally, along these lines, any repayment of a line supersedes repayment of a negative balance for an account due to settlement transactions that cause the account to go negative. Any monies remaining after a payment is received can be credited to the account. If payment takes the account balance to $0, any transactions attempted with the debit card, or other payment card, can be declined. Those transactions can be subject to any related decline fees. Repayment of a draw, for example, should not generally be taken from funds in an account. That is, if an account balance is positive prior to a draw, only when the next electronic deposit is initiated to the account will repayment be triggered. If a draw is not paid within the preselected time period, preferably days, e.g., 35 day timeframe, any amount owed can be taken from the principal balance in the consumer's account.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, aprogram product800 associated with a bank or other financial or lending institution implemented in modules or components, as illustrated inFIG. 8. An underwriting analyzer andinterface component801 of a lendinginstitution program product800 can receive underwriting information, e.g., data, and make the determination whether to offer a line of credit or other product to the consumer as understood by those skilled in the art. That is, an underwriting analyzer andinterface component801 can respond to a consumer initiated, engagement and can determine whether to prequalify the consumer for a line of credit to thereby convert underwriting data into line of credit data. Underwriting data can include adirect deposit history812; a withdrawal authorization orapproval813, from an enrollment in a line of credit program; a history of at least oneelectronic deposit814; an account being in good standing, not overdrawn, cancelled, or indefault815; continueddirect deposit816; and other data as understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, a loan advance andfee manager module803 deals with determining whether to advancefunds821, providing loans inpreselected increments822, calculatingavailable credit823, managingrepayments824, and other associated tasks as understood by those skilled in the art. Other architectures and organizations will be understood by those skilled in the art to be included within the embodiments of the present invention. Program products can be implemented in a variety of software and programming languages, including without limitation hypertext markup language CHTML”), Java, C, C++, XML, and others as understood by those skilled in the art.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 10A,10B, and3, embodiments of the present invention can include, for example, adebit card950, or payment card, or check card, or other account access card, and a point-of-sale terminal device315, e.g., a card reader. As understood by those skilled in the art, a payment card, e.g., a debit card, can haveindicia952, e.g., logos, slogans, source identifiers, of a sponsoring bank and of a prepaid card processor; aserial number954; andexpiration date956. The structures of various types of specific cards, e.g.,magnetic stripe958, type of material, are well known to those skilled in the art and can be used with embodiments of the present invention. Typically, acard950 is formed from plastic and has amagnetic stripe958 affixed to the plastic through an application of heat. Those skilled in the art will understand that other embodiments besides a magnetic stripe can include radio frequency identification devices (RFID), smart chips, bar codes, and other similar devices. Embodiments of the present invention can include forming cards or receiving cards already formed. Themagnetic stripe card950 can store information, or data, e.g., account information, by modifying the magnetism of particles on themagnetic stripe958 on the card. The information can be read by swiping the card through aslot310C past a reading head of acard reader device315, e.g., point-of-sale hardware. The point-of-sale terminal315 can include adisplay310A and input/output (I/O)devices310B, e.g., a keypad. Typically, there are two tracks of information on amagnetic card950 used for financial transactions, known astracks1 and2. In addition, a third track, known as track3, can be available for magnetic stripe cards. Tracks1 and3, if available, are typically recorded at210 bits per inch, whiletrack2 typically has a recording density of 75 bits per inch.Track2, as typically encoded, was developed by the American Bankers Association (ABA) provides for 37 numeric data characters, including up to 19 digits for a primary account number (including a Bank Identification Number as understood by those skilled in the art), an expiration date, a service code, and discretionary verification data, such as, a Personal Identification Number, or PIN. The information, e.g., data, on the card can be used, for example, to facilitate a transaction. For example, when thecard950 is swiped through aslot310C, the data on themagnetic stripe958 is read and processed by the point-of-sale terminal315, converting data stored in the magnetic particles on the card into data associated withreaders315 and alending institution computer307. The point-of-sale terminal315 can then communicate through anelectronic communications network311 to, for example, alending institution computer307. The point-of-sale terminal315, e.g., card reader, communicates the account information, e.g., data, as read from the card, as well as other data, such as, an amount of a proposed transaction for approval from themerchant computer313. The other data, for example, can be entered by merchant personnel (e.g., an amount of the transaction), the consumer (e.g., a PIN, or security code), or bank personnel (e.g., a security approval). Thelending institution computer307 can then utilize the account information and other data to authorize or reject a purchase by, for example, determining whether a proposed purchase by the consumer is less than an amount of funds remaining on the card. Moreover, optional security measures, including, for example, a mismatch between a PIN supplied by the consumer and a PIN stored on thecard950 or in adatabase309, can result in the rejection of a proposed transaction. Thelending institution computer307 then perform certain functions, including responding to the authorization request so that a point-of-sale displays an indication of approval or rejection, resulting in a visual depiction to a merchant of the approval or rejection of the proposed transaction. Also, thelending institution computer307 can, for example, write data to adatabase309 to record a purchase or other transaction (including advancing a loan from the line of credit), to debit available funds from an account associated with thecard950, and to credit directly or indirectly a merchant for a purchase. In addition to purchase authorization, embodiments of the present invention also can include customer inquiries into recent transactions or a balance inquiry, i.e., an amount of remaining value associated with the checking account.
• As illustrated inFIG. 11, embodiments of the present invention include, for example, providing data associated with a checking account or debit card as a visual representation of account activity. Embodiments include displaying an account activity statement, including a purchase, on a display device to thereby provide a visual representation of a value associated with the checking account being exchanged for goods. For example, acustomer computer301, through anInternet Browser304E, (seeFIG. 3) can display on adisplay304D anaccount activity statement612 for a customer-specific account613, or set of accounts, with each transaction including, for example, adate614A, adescription614B, a amount credited to theaccount614C, an amount debited from theaccount614D, a resultingbalance614E, a line of credit amount available614F, and a line of creditoutstanding balance614G, or other such data as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the visual representation can include abalance inquiry615A. For example, the visual representation can include crediting the checking account with an additional value equal to one or more preselected loan increments so that the account then has a new amount totaling a previous amount of value in the account plus the amount of value of the one or more preselected loan increments and so that the new amount exceeds or, alternatively, equals the value of the proposedpayment615B. For example, the visual representation can include a purchase ofgoods615C, wherein data associated with a debit card representing an amount of value in a checking account is modified in an exchange for products, including goods or services. In addition, the visual representation can include adirect deposit615D and also a loan repayment from direct deposit funds relatively instantaneously (or prior to) with the direct deposit funds being made available in the consumer'saccount615E. In other embodiments, crediting the checking account with anadditional value615B and an associated purchase ofgoods615C can be represented as a single transaction; likewise, thedirect deposit615D and an associatedloan repayment615E can be represented as a single transaction. In addition, the visual representation can include an increase in atotal loan value615F, i.e., an amount available from the line of credit, responsive to consumer performance data.
• A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various types of memory are readable by a computer such as described herein, e.g., lending institution, line of credit processors, payroll processor, or other computers with embodiments of the present invention. Examples of computer readable media include but are not limited to: nonvolatile, hard-coded type media such as read only memories (ROMs), CD-ROMs, and DVD-ROMs, or erasable, electrically programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD-R/RWs, DVD-RAMs, DVD-R/RWs, DVD+R/RWs, flash drives, memory sticks, and other newer types of memories, and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links. For example, such media can include operating instructions, as well as instructions related to the system and the method steps described above and can operate on a computer. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that such media can be at other locations instead of or in addition to the lending institution computer to store program products, e.g., including software, thereon.
• This application is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/724,744, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debt Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed Dec. 21, 2012 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/877,490, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debt Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed Sep. 8, 2010 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/877,524, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debt Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed Sep. 8, 2010 which are divisionals of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/417,162, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debt Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed Apr. 2, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,612, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Methods to AutoDraw for Micro-Credit Attached to a Prepaid Card” filed Apr. 4, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,624, by Crowe et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method to Authorize Draw for Retailer Optimization” filed on Apr. 4, 2008; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/082,863, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method for Debit Card and Checking Account AutoDraw” filed on Jul. 23, 2008, all of which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. This application also relates to: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/016,213, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Associated Methods” filed on Dec. 21, 2007; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/052,454, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Methods to Prioritize Payments from Preselected Bank Account” filed May 12, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/029,975, by Sorbe et al., titled “Methods To Advance Loan Proceeds On Prepaid Cards, Associated Systems and Computer Program Products” filed on Feb. 20, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,612, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Associated Methods to Authorize Draw for Micro-Credit Attached to a Prepaid Card” filed on Apr. 4, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/032,750, by Ahlers et al., titled “Methods, Program Product, and System for Micro-Loan Management” filed on Feb. 29, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/060,559, by Galit et al., titled “Methods, Program Product, and System to Enhance Banking Terms Over Time” filed on Jun. 11, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/082,863, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method For Debit Card and Checking Account Autodraw” filed on Jul. 23, 2008; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/053,056, by Galit et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method For Loading a Loan On a Pre-Paid Card” filed on May 14, 2008, all of which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. This application also relates to: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,365, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Associated Computer-Implemented Methods” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,402, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Associated Computer-Implemented Methods” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,440, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Associated Computer-Implemented Methods” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,584, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Computer-Implemented Methods to Prioritize Payments from Preselected Bank Account” filed Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,645, by Sorbe et al., titled “Transfer Account Systems, Computer Program Products, and Computer-Implemented Methods to Prioritize Payments from Preselected Bank Account” filed Dec. 18, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/389,749, by Sorbe et al., titled “Methods to Advance Loan Proceeds on Prepaid Cards, Associated Systems and Computer Program Products” filed on Feb. 20, 2009; PCT/US09/34692, by Sorbe et al., titled “Methods to Advance Loan Proceeds on Prepaid Cards, Associated Systems and Computer Program Products” filed on Feb. 20, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/389,749, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Associated Methods to Authorize Draw for Micro-Credit Attached to a Prepaid Card” filed on Feb. 20, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/417,199, by Ahlers et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Associated Methods to Authorize Draw for Micro-Credit Attached to a Prepaid Card” filed on Apr. 2, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/417,182, by Crowe et al., titled “System, Program Product, and Method to Authorize Draw for Retailer Optimization” filed on Apr. 2, 2009; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,684, by Ahlers et al., titled “Computer-Implemented Methods, Program Product, and System for Micro-Loan Management” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; PCT/US08/87660 by Ahlers et al., titled “Computer-Implemented Methods, Program Product, and System for Micro-Loan Management” filed on Dec. 19, 2008; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/338,712, by Galit et al., titled “Computer-Implemented Methods, Program Product, and System to Enhance Banking Terms Over Time” filed on Dec. 18, 2008; and PCT/US08/87689 by Galit et al., titled “Computer-Implemented Methods, Program Product, and System to Enhance Banking Terms Over Time” filed on Dec. 19, 2008, all of which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Claims (5)

That claimed is:

1. A system to allow a debit card user to access a line of credit associated with one or more of a plurality of checking accounts when using a debit card, the system comprising:

a computer associated with a lending institution defining a lending institution computer, the lending institution computer having non-transitory memory, being associated with an electronic communications network, and being positioned to control access to funds from a line of credit associated with a checking account; and

a computer program product associated with the lending institution computer, stored on a tangible computer memory media, and operable on a computer, the computer program product comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform the operations of:

prequalifying, by the lending institution computer, a debit card user for a line of credit to be associated with one or more of a plurality of checking accounts responsive to consumer underwriting data and predetermined qualification parameters,

establishing, by the lending institution computer, the line of credit associated with one or more of the plurality of the checking accounts responsive to approval of the line of credit, the line of credit having a total credit limit and adapted to be drawn in at least one of a plurality of separate predetermined loan increments each being equal in value and less than the total credit limit,

determining, by the lending institution computer responsive to receipt of transaction data, when a debit card associated with the one or more of the plurality of the checking accounts is being used as payment for a proposed purchase and when a value of the proposed purchase is greater than a value associated with the one or more of the plurality of checking accounts,

determining, by the lending institution computer, responsive to the value of the proposed purchase being greater than the value associated with the one or more of the plurality of the checking accounts, a number of separate predetermined loan increments to be added to the value associated with the one or more of the plurality of checking accounts so that the number of separate predetermined loan increments multiplied by the value of one of the plurality of separate predetermined loan increments and plus the value associated with the one or more of the plurality of checking accounts exceeds the value of the proposed purchase by less than the value of one of the plurality of separate predetermined loan increments,

loading, by the lending institution computer, the one or more of the plurality of checking accounts with one or more of the plurality of separate predetermined loan increments that corresponds with the number of separate predetermined loan increments to thereby define one or more loaded predetermined increments when the one or more of the loaded predetermined increments and a total value of a predetermined loan advance fee corresponding thereto collectively do not exceed a line of credit balance available, the total value of the predetermined loan advance fee being equal to the value of one of the plurality of separate predetermined loan increments multiplied by the number of separate predetermined loan increments,

determining, by the lending institution computer, a new value of the line of credit balance available, the new value being a previous value of the line of credit balance available minus the one or more loaded predetermined increments to the one or more of the plurality of checking accounts and minus the total value of the predetermined loan advance fee, and

determining, by the lending institution computer, a new value of a line of credit balance, the new value being a previous value of the line of credit balance plus the one or more loaded predetermined increments loaded to the one or more of the plurality of checking accounts plus the total value of the predetermined loan advance fee, the total value of the predetermined loan advance fee being less than the loaded predetermined increments loaded to the one or more of the plurality of checking accounts.

2. A system ofclaim 1, wherein allow a debit card user to access a line of credit associated with one or more of a plurality of checking accounts when using a debit card ein the proposed payment involves one or more of the following: an electronic check, a debit card, an electronic bill payment, an automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawal, and a wire transfer.

3. A system ofclaim 2, wherein the first portion of the new value of line of credit balance repaid includes at least the total value of the predetermined loan advance fee, wherein the value of the proposed purchase includes adjustments for one or more of the following: coupons, discounts, instant rebates, and sales tax, wherein the lending institution is a federally-chartered bank subject to federal banking laws and regulations and not subject to state banking laws and regulations, and wherein the line of credit is bank product so that the line of credit complies with federal Regulation Z.

4. A system ofclaim 3, wherein the line of credit is one of a plurality of line of credits associated with the lending institution computer, and wherein the one or more of the plurality of checking accounts are associated with one or more of a plurality of financial institutions and one or more of a plurality of financial institution computers positioned remote from the lending institution computer.

5. A method as defined inclaim 1, wherein the lending institution computer comprises a computer associated with a lending institution thereby defining the lending institution computer, the lending institution computer having non-transitory memory, being associated with an electronic communications network, and being positioned to control access to funds from a line of credit associated with one or more checking accounts.

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