COLLECTIVELY ANALYZING HOLDINGS ACROSS MULTIPLE FIXED INCOME PRODUCTS

• US 20120317052A1
• Filed: 06/08/2011
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Institutional Cash Distributors Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Institutional Cash Distributors Technology LLC
• Inventors: Heyner, Mark A., Knight, Thomas C., Zhao, Dai, Hazard, Victor James, Ramos, Sebastian
• Granted Patent: US 8,700,509 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/36.R
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/06 Asset management; Financial planning or analysis

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums (i.e., utilities) for use in enabling corporate treasurers, money managers, and other investors to view and analyze consolidated credit risk on individual investments across multiple money market products (MMPs) and/or multiple accounts. In one aspect, the utilities may generate a database of MMP and related holding information that may be used to research and analyze one or more MMPs and/or underlying securities even if the same MMP or security is associated with different identifiers. In another aspect, the securities or holdings of the MMPs of actual or sample accounts may be aggregated (e.g., by common identifier, sponsor, issuer, etc.) either within MMPs and/or across multiple MMPs and subsequently analyzed to generate inferences and to obtain numerous types of information which may be presented to corporate treasurers and/or other users on a display (e.g., text, charts, graphs, etc.) for use in gauging a company'"'"'s or other entity'"'"'s credit exposure and in making decisions based on what is displayed.

Claims

1. A method for use in providing aggregated investment information for fixed income products (FIPs) each of said FIPs having holdings of one or more of the following types:

commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper, repurchase agreements, short-term bonds, floating rate notes, variable rate demand notes, and other FIPs,

the method comprising;

a) identifying a set of FIPs to be supported by a computer-based FIP information aggregation system;

b) for individual FIPs of the set of supported FIPs;

i) determining a list of different FIP descriptors for the FIP associated with different information sources;

ii) associating FIP descriptors of the FIP descriptor list with a standardized FIP descriptor for use in the computer-based FIP information aggregation system; and

iii) acquiring a list of holdings that are held by the FIP, wherein the list of holdings is made accessible at least pursuant to applicable disclosure regulations governing the FIP;

c) for individual holdings of the FIPs to be supported by the computer-based information aggregation system;

i) determining a list of different holding descriptors for the holding associated with different information sources;

ii) associating holding descriptors of the holding descriptor list with a standardized holding descriptor for use in computer-based FIP information aggregation system; and

iii) determining a list of attributes to be supported for the holding by the computer-based FIP information aggregation system;

d) for attributes to be supported by the computer-based FIP information aggregation system;

i) identifying items of holding information that pertain to the attribute where different items of pertinent holding information for a given attribute are associated with different sources of information said different items of pertinent holding information differing with respect to at least one of the descriptor and content; and

ii) providing rules for using the different types of pertinent holding information to generate standardized attribute information for use by the computer-based FIP information aggregation system; and

e) storing in a data structure of said computer-based FIP information aggregation system, information indexed to the standardized FIP descriptor of individual FIPs of the set of supported FIPs, said information including;

i) the list of different FIP descriptors for the FIP;

ii) the holdings of the FIP identified by the standardized holding descriptors for the holdings; and

iv) standardized attribute information for the holdings of the FIP.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a first holding descriptor of a first holding of a first FIP is different from a second holding descriptor of a second holding of a second FIP, and wherein after the step of associating holding descriptors, the standardized holding descriptor of the first holding is the same as the standardized holding identifier of the second holding.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

aggregating, for each FIP, attribute information for each of its respective holdings;

associating the aggregated attribute information with the standardized FIP descriptor for the FIP in the data structure.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the attribute information for each holding comprise at least one of time until maturity, one or more types of yields, and value of holdings of the FIP, in currency, and wherein the aggregating comprises:

manipulating the metrics to obtain at least one of a weighted average maturity (WAM), one or more types of average yields, and a total assets under management for each FIP.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the attribute information for each holding comprises at least one of a category of holding, an issuer of the holding, a sponsor of the holding, a domicile nation or region of a sponsor or issuer of the holding, and a financial sector of the holding.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the category of holding comprises one of treasury debt, government agency debt, variable rate demand note, other municipal debt, financial company commercial paper, asset backed commercial paper, other commercial paper, certificate of deposit, structured investment vehicle note, other note, treasury repurchase agreement, government agency repurchase agreement, other repurchase agreement, insurance company funding agreement, investment company, and other instrument.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving one or more FIP descriptors for a plurality of FIPs of one or more assets under management (AUM);

in response to the receiving, obtaining, from the data structure, information about each of the FIPs of the AUM of a given investor; and

presenting the obtained information on a display, wherein the obtained information for each FIP comprises at least some of the attribute information for each of a number of holdings held by the FIP.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:

collectively executing analytics on the attribute information of the holdings of the AUM.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the attribute information for each of the holdings includes quantification information defining a position in the holding and the collective analytics execution comprises:

aggregating quantification information among holdings of the AUM having at least one of a common standardized holding identifier, sponsor, issuer and domicile nation.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the FIP descriptor comprises at least one of a ticker symbol, an International Securities Identification Number (ISIN), a Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP) number, and a Stock Exchange Daily Official List (SEDOL) identifier.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of FIPs is obtained from a first source, and wherein each list of holdings is obtained from a source different than the first source.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of said lists of holdings is obtained from a website administered by a respective FIP different from the first source, and wherein at least some of the attribute information for each of the holdings is obtained from another source different than the first source and websites administered by the FIPs.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

repeatedly performing said step of storing standardized attribute information according to a predetermined schedule.

14. A method for use in providing aggregated investment information for fixed income products (FIPs) each of said FIPs having holdings of one or more of the following types:

commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper, repurchase agreements, short-term bonds, floating rate notes, variable rate demand notes, and other FIPs,

the method comprising;

providing a data structure wherein FIP information and holding information for individual FIPs, made available from different sources at least pursuant to applicable disclosure regulations governing FIPs, is collected in a form that allows for comparison of the FIP information and holding information from the different sources;

processing an input, using a computer-based FIP information aggregation system, to identify a plurality of FIPs associated with at least one account under management (AUM) of a given investor;

based on the identified FIPs, accessing said data structure of said computer-based FIP information aggregation system to obtain holding information, for each of said identified FIPs, relating to individual holdings of said FIPs;

first operating said computer-based FIP information aggregation system to obtain attribute information regarding attributes of said identified FIPs and said individual holdings of said identified FIPs; and

second operating said computer-based FIP information aggregation system to provide output display information based on said attribute information.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

grouping, using a processor, at least one of a) two or more FIPs and b) two or more holdings; and

performing an analysis on attribute information of the grouped FIPs and/or holdings, wherein the second operating comprises sending results of the analysis for presentation on a display.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the grouping comprises:

grouping two or more holdings according to a first attribute, and wherein the performing comprises;

performing the analysis on the grouped holdings using a second attribute different than the first attribute.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first attribute comprises at least one of a sponsor, issuer, domicile nation and category of the two or more grouped holdings.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second attribute comprises a holding value in currency or as a percentage of AUM value, and wherein said performing the analysis using the second attribute comprises:

combining second attribute values of the two or more grouped holdings to obtain a measure of the second attribute.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first attribute comprises the descriptor of the holdings, and wherein said performing the analysis comprises:

aggregating second attribute information of holdings of the AUM that are identified by a common descriptor.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein one of the additional attributes comprises a holding value in currency or as a percentage of AUM value, and wherein the aggregating comprises:

determining a combined holding value of holdings identified by a common descriptor.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

comparing the results of the analysis to at least one standard or guideline, wherein the output display information indicates a decision as to whether or not the analysis complies with the at least one standard or guideline.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one standard or guideline comprises a) the maximum position in any single FIP as a percentage of total financial AUM value, b) the maximum position in any single FIP in terms of at least one monetary unit, c) the maximum position in any single FIP as a percentage of that FIP'"'"'s total AUM, d) the maximum position any single holding issuer or sponsor as a percentage of total financial AUM value, e) the maximum position in any single country, based on holding sponsor or issuer domicile, as a percentage of the total financial AUM value, and f) the maximum position in a specific country, based on holding sponsor or issuer domicile, as a percentage of the total financial AUM value.

23. A method for use in providing aggregated investment information for fixed income products (FIPs) each of said FIPs having holdings of one or more of the following types:

commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper, repurchase agreements, short-term bonds, floating rate notes, variable rate demand notes, and other FIPs,

the method comprising;

transmitting an input to a computer-based FIP information aggregation system, said input being sufficient to identify a plurality of FIPs associated with at least one account under management (AUM) wherein the computer-based FIP information aggregation system has access to a data structure wherein FIP information and holding information for individual FIPs, made available from different sources at least pursuant to applicable disclosure regulations governing FIPs, as well as attribute information regarding attributes of the FIPs and holdings, is collected in a form that allows for comparison of the FIP information, holding information and attribute information; and

receiving, from said computer-based FIP information aggregation system, aggregated information for one at least one of said attributes relating to said FIPs, wherein said aggregated information has been aggregated across multiple FIPs.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the aggregated information comprises an analysis of a first attribute of holdings of the AUM that have been grouped together according to a second attribute different than the first attribute.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the second attribute comprises at least one of a sponsor, issuer, domicile nation and sector of the grouped holdings.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the aggregated information includes a graphical indication as to whether the AUM complies with at least one standard or guideline.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

sending a proposed transaction to the computer-based FIP information aggregation system, the proposed transaction comprising one or more FIPs to be added to and/or removed from the AUM; and

receiving, from the computer-based FIP information aggregation system, an indication as to whether a reaggregation of the attributes, including the proposed transaction, complies with the at least one standard or guideline.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the proposed transaction is responsive to an indication that the aggregated information fails to comply with at least one standard or guideline.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the graphical indication indicates whether the aggregated information complies with the at least one standard or guideline, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a subsequent indication as to whether a reaggregation of the attribute information complies with the at least one standard or guideline.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one standard or guideline comprises a) the maximum position in any single FIP as a percentage of total AUM value, b) the maximum position in any single FIP in terms of at least one monetary unit, c) the maximum position in any single FIP as a percentage of that FIP'"'"'s total assets under management, d) the maximum position any single holding issuer or sponsor as a percentage of total AUM value, e) the maximum position in any single country, based on holding sponsor or issuer domicile, as a percentage of the total financial portfolio value, and f) the maximum position in a specific country, based on holding sponsor or issuer domicile, as a percentage of the total AUM value.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

sending a proposed transaction to the network-based tool, the proposed transaction comprising at least one or more FIPs to be added to and/or removed from the AUM.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the proposed transaction comprises at least two or more FIPs to be added to and/or removed from the AUM.

33. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving, from the computer-based FIP information aggregation system, information regarding a proposed transaction, wherein said proposed transaction is based at least in part on compliance with at least one standard or guideline.

34. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

sending at least one standard or guideline for analysis of a portfolio to the network-based analysis tool.

35. A system for use in providing aggregated investment information for fixed income products (FIPs) each of said FIPs having holdings of one or more of the following types:

commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper, repurchase agreements, short-term bonds, floating rate notes, variable rate demand notes, and other FIPs,

the system comprising;

a processing module; and

a memory module logically connected to the processing module and comprising a set of computer readable instructions that are executable by the processing module to;

a) identify a set of FIPs to be supported by a computer-based FIP information aggregation system;

b) for individual FIPs of the set of supported FIPs;

i) determine a list of different FIP descriptors for the FIP associated with different information sources;

ii) associate FIP descriptors of the FIP descriptor list with a standardized FIP descriptor for use in the computer-based FIP information aggregation system; and

iii) acquire a list of holdings that are held by the FIP, wherein the list of holdings is made accessible at least pursuant to applicable disclosure regulations governing the FIP;

c) for individual holdings of the FIPs to be supported by the computer-based information aggregation system;

i) determine a list of different holding descriptors for the holding associated with different information sources;

ii) associate holding descriptors of the holding descriptor list with a standardized holding descriptor for use in computer-based FIP information aggregation system; and

iii) determine a list of attributes to be supported for the holding by the computer-based FIP information aggregation system;

d) for attributes to be supported by the computer-based FIP information aggregation system;

i) identify items of holding information that pertain to the attribute where different items of pertinent holding information for a given attribute are associated with different sources of information said different items of pertinent holding information differing with respect to at least one of the descriptor and content; and

ii) provide rules for using the different types of pertinent holding information to generate standardize attribute information for use by the computer-based FIP information aggregation system; and

e) store in a data structure of said computer-based FIP information aggregation system, information indexed to the standardized FIP descriptor of individual FIPs of the set of supported FIPs, said information including;

i) the list of different FIP descriptors for the FIP;

ii) the holdings of the FIP identified by the standardized holding descriptors for the holdings; and

iii) standardized attribute information for the holdings of the FIP.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the memory module comprises computer readable instructions that are executable by the processing module to:

receive descriptors for a plurality of FIPs associated with at least one account under management (AUM);

first use the received descriptors to obtain from the data structure a listing of descriptors for a plurality of holdings that is respectively held by the FIPs of the AUM;

second use the descriptors to obtain from the data structure attribute information related to the FIPs and their respective holdings; and

provide an output based on the attribute information.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the memory module comprises computer readable instructions that are executable by the processing module to:

group two or more holdings according to a first attribute;

perform an analysis on the grouped holdings using a second attribute different than the first attribute; and

provide an output based on the results of the analysis.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the first attribute comprises at least one of a sponsor, issuer, domicile nation and category of the two or more grouped holdings.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the first attribute comprises the descriptors of the holdings, and wherein the performing the analysis comprises:

aggregating second attribute information of holdings of the AUM that are identified by a common descriptor.

40. The system of claim 37, wherein the second attribute comprises a holding value in currency or as a percentage of portfolio value, and wherein the performed analysis comprises:

combining second attribute information of the two or more grouped holdings to obtain a measure of the second attribute.

41. The system of claim 37, wherein the memory module comprises computer readable instructions that are executable by the processing module to:

determine whether the results of the analysis comply with at least one standard or guideline related to the analysis; and

provide an output based on the determination.

42. The processing platform of claim 41, wherein computer readable instructions are further executable by the processing module to:

receive a proposed transaction comprising one or more FIPs to be added to and/or removed from the financial portfolio;

perform a subsequent instance of the analysis;

determine whether results of the subsequent instance of the analysis comply with the at least one standard or guideline; and

provide an output based on the determination.

43. The processing platform of claim 42, wherein the subsequent instance of the analysis incorporates at least some information related to the proposed transaction.

44. A method for use in providing aggregated information for financial products where each of the financial products includes multiple holdings, the method comprising:

providing a data structure wherein financial product information and holding information for individual financial products is collected in a form that allows for comparison of the financial product information and holding information across multiple financial products;

processing an input, using a computer-based information aggregation system, to identify a plurality of financial products associated with at least one account under management (AUM);

based on the identified financial products, accessing said data structure of said computer-based information aggregation system, to obtain aggregated holding information for the identified financial products;

conducting a first type of analysis with regard to the aggregated holding information;

determining whether the results of the first type analysis comply with at least one standard or guideline related to the first type of analysis; and

operating said computer-based information aggregation system to provide an output based on said determination.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

grouping two or more of the financial products according to a first attribute, wherein the first type of analysis is conducted on the grouped financial products using a second attribute different than the first attribute.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the at least one standard or guideline is conducted in relation to at least one of a risk tolerance and a type of financial product.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the type of financial product comprises at least one of a short-term, medium-term and long-term investment.

48. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

conducting a subsequent instance of the first type of analysis;

determining whether results of the subsequent instance comply with the at least one standard or guideline; and

providing an output based on the determination.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

receiving information regarding a proposed transaction comprising at least a portion of one or more financial products to be added to and/or removed from the AUM, wherein the subsequent instance incorporates at least some information related to the proposed transaction.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the proposed transaction comprises at least a portion of two or more financial products to be added to and/or removed from the AUM.

51. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

sending, to the user, a message responsive to a determination that the results of the first type of analysis fail to comply with at least one standard or guideline related to the first type of analysis.

52. The method of claim 44, further comprising operating said computer-based FIP information aggregation system to generate a proposed transaction based on the at least one standard or guideline.

53. A processing platform for use in collectively analyzing financial products of one or more accounts of a user'"'"'s assets under management (AUM), where each of the financial products includes multiple holdings, the platform comprising:

a processing module; and

a memory module logically connected to the processing module and comprising a set of computer readable instructions that are executable by the processing module to;

receive identifying information for a plurality of financial products of at least one account of a user'"'"'s AUM;

access a data structure wherein financial product information and holding information for individual financial products is collected in a form that allows for comparison of the financial product information and holding information across multiple financial products;

based on the identified financial products, access the data structure to obtain aggregated holding information of the identified financial products;

conduct a first type of analysis with regard to the aggregated holding information;

determine whether results of the first type of analysis comply with at least one standard or guideline related to the first type of analysis; and

send the determination for presentation on a display.