FINANCIAL SOCIAL NETWORKING

• US 20100241559A1
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: Aheron, William J., Johnson, Shane A., Bierer, Jeffrey H., Ariff, Kazi M., Borowski, William F., Thomas, Susan S., Wolfson, Neal G., Judd, Jeffrey P., Smith, Carol A., Li, Yicong, Kelley, Thomas D., Hayes, Steven K., Anderson, Judith M., O'Connor, Sean M., Tipper, Russell W., Kirkman, James P.
• Application Number:
  US12/407,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20100241559A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/384 using social networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for providing an online financial social network service to a user. The method may include storing in a computer information about a financial goal of a first user. The method may additionally include receiving instructions to present a display reflecting the stored financial goal information. The method may also include authenticating a second user to access the first user online financial social network account.

Claims

1. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for providing an online financial social network account to a first user, the method using an electronic information processing platform, the method comprising:

storing in a computer memory information relating to a financial goal of a first user;

receiving instructions to change a display associated with a first user online social network account to reflect the stored financial goal information;

modifying the first user online social network account to reflect the stored financial goal information; and

authenticating a second user to access the first user online financial social network account.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising downloading information on the one or more computer-readable media to the first user online social network account.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the storing further comprises receiving answers to a series of questions completed by the first user pertaining to the financial goal, and storing information corresponding to the answers.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the online financial social network account supports a direct link to a financial institution'"'"'s online banking website.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the online financial social network account supports a direct link to a first user financial institution account website.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying further comprises displaying a first user predetermined program towards achieving the financial goal.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying further comprises displaying a visual representation of the financial goal.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the visual representation is selected by the first user from a menu of predetermined options.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the visual representation is customizable.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the modifying further comprises displaying the first user predetermined program towards achieving the financial goal.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying further comprises displaying the progression of the first user towards the completion of the financial goal.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the displaying of the progression of the first user towards the financial goal is represented using representative data.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the representative data includes percentages.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein data pertaining to the progression of the first user towards the financial goal is downloaded from a first user financial institution account.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the modifying is followed by notifying the second user of the modified first user online social network account.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the second user is authorized to post comments on the first user online financial social network account.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein a financial institution is authorized to display comments on the first user online financial social network account.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting an option to contribute funds towards the financial goal of the first user.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein a financial institution stores information pertaining to the financial goal of the first user.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the first user authorizes the second user to access the first user online financial social network account.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting an invitation to the second user to participate in the financial social network account of the first user.

22. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for providing an online financial social network account to a first user, the method using an electronic information processing platform, the method comprising:

storing in a computer memory information relating to a financial goal of a first user;

receiving instructions to present a display reflecting the stored financial goal information; and

authenticating a second user to access the first user online financial social network account.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the financial social network account is linked to a financial institution webpage.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the financial social network account supports social networking capabilities.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising receiving authorization from the first user to create a social network of friends in the first user financial social network account.

26. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for displaying a financial goal of a first user, the method using an electronic information processing platform, the method comprising:

storing in a computer memory information relating to a financial goal of a first user;

receiving instructions to change a display associated with a first user online social network account to reflect the stored financial goal information; and

modifying the first user online social network account to reflect the stored financial goal information.