Network-based financial planning system and method

• US 7,542,921 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2000
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Inventors: Hildreth, Diana G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Poinvil; Frantzy
• Application Number:
  US09/677,581
• Time in Patent Office: 3,168 Days
• Field of Search: 705 10- 44
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03

Abstract

A method and information processor are provided which allow a user of a user terminal to receive a list of credit financing opportunities based on the user'"'"'s financing objectives in which credit data is received from the user terminal. The credit data includes the user'"'"'s objective and a credit profile. Credit financing opportunities are determined based on the credit data and one or more predetermined decision rules. An output is generated and provided to the user terminal which includes a comparison of at least part of the credit profile with the determined credit financing opportunities.

Claims

1. A method for allowing a user of a user terminal to receive credit financing opportunities based on a multi-level output of opportunities, the method comprising:

electrically receiving credit data from the user terminal, the credit data comprising a user objective and a credit profile, wherein the user objective is received from the user and is selected from the group consisting of;

(1) modifying an interest rate, (2) modifying a monthly payment, and (3) obtaining credit, loan or other financing, and the credit profile comprises at least one particular of any number of financial products currently held by the user;

electrically determining at least one credit financing opportunity based on the credit data and at least one predetermined decision rule, wherein the at least one credit financing opportunity comprises any number of financial products that meet the user objective;

electrically determining if the at least one credit financing opportunity benefits the user in comparison to the financial products held by the user, wherein the benefit comprises a savings to the user of at least a predetermined amount of money or other value;

electrically generating at least one multi-level output, wherein the multi-level output comprises;

(1) a comparison of at least part of the credit profile with the at least one determined credit financing opportunity that benefits the user, and (2) the benefit received by the user if the at least one credit financing opportunity is pursued; and

electrically providing the multi-level output to the user terminal, wherein the multi-level output is selectable by the user and comprises;

(1) a first level output interface comprising at least one comparison area, wherein each of the at least one comparison area comprises a current product portion providing particulars on a current user financial product, and a proposed product portion providing particulars on the at least one determined credit financing opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, and (2) a second-level output interface comprising at least one proposed consolidation opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, wherein the at least one consolidation opportunity consolidates the user'"'"'s current debt to meet the user'"'"'s objective, and wherein the second-level output is presented to the user upon the user initiating an icon included in the first-level output.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including receiving a request from the user terminal to apply for a determined credit opportunity.

3. The method according to claim 1, where in the credit profile is comprised of a least one user credit data element, the at least one user credit data element identifying one or more characteristics of corresponding financing previously undertaken by the user.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein generating the output includes generating a first level output and generating a second level output.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first level output includes one or more comparisons of a determined credit opportunity with a respective one of the at least one user credit data elements.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein there are a plurality of credit data elements and the second output includes one or more comparisons of a determined credit opportunity with the plurality of user credit data elements.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a summary of the user profile data to the user terminal.

8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one user credit data element includes an interest rate, an outstanding balance and a monthly payment.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one user credit data element further includes an identification of whether the corresponding credit data element was issued by a provider of the financing opportunities.

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one user credit data element corresponds to a least one of a credit card, a vehicle loan, a secured debt, an unsecured debt, a home equity loan and a residential mortgage.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the summary includes at least one summary area corresponding to one of the user'"'"'s credit cards, personal lines of credit, personal loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, unsecured credit and total outstanding credit.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user data further includes personal data corresponding to the user and further including the act of obtaining a credit worthiness report based on the personal data.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein determining credit financing opportunities includes consideration of the credit worthiness of the corresponding user.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein a credit opportunity is considered viable if it is determined in the determining act that the user will save at least a predetermined amount of money during a predetermined time period.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user profile data includes a state of residence and wherein the predetermined decision rules include consideration of the state of residence and current interest rates for potential financing opportunities.

16. The method according to claim 1, further including receiving a request for detailed information corresponding to a selected one of the financing opportunities and wherein at least a part of the output is provided in a substantially pictorial form.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the pictorial form includes at least one of a graph and a pie chart.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined decision rules further consider the user'"'"'s taxation rate in determining viable credit opportunities.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising preparing a list of potential financing opportunities at least partially based on opportunity data received from at least one product processor, and wherein the determined financing opportunities are selected from the prepared list.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the credit profile comprises at least one loan, line of credit, credit card, secured or unsecured credit, bank or provider, interest rate, outstanding balance, monthly payment, available line of credit, balance, term, and years remaining in access period.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the user objective comprises at least one of obtain a lower interest rate, obtain lower payments, obtain credit, or any other objective.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the benefit comprises saving the user money.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the multi-level output comprises an interface that presents the user with:

(1) new financing opportunities that meet the user'"'"'s objective, and (2) an icon that permits the user to initiate consolidation opportunities that meet the user'"'"'s objective.

24. A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions which, when executed, perform a method for allowing a user of a user terminal to receive credit financing opportunities based on a multi-level output of opportunities, the method comprising:

electrically receiving credit data from the user terminal, the credit data comprising a user objective and a credit profile, wherein the user objective is received from the user and is selected from the group consisting of;

(1) modifying an interest rate, (2) modifying a monthly payment, and (3) obtaining credit, loan or other financing, and the credit profile comprises at least one particular of any number of financial products held by the user;

electrically determining credit financing opportunities based on the credit data and at least one predetermined decision rule, wherein the credit financing opportunities comprise at least one financial product that meets the user objective;

electrically determining if the credit financing opportunities benefit the user in comparison to the financial products held by the user, wherein the benefit comprises a savings to the user of at least a predetermined amount of money or other value;

electrically generating at least one multi-level output, wherein the multi-level output comprises;

(1) a comparison of at least part of the credit profile with the determined credit financing opportunities that benefits the user, and (2) the benefit the user would receive if the credit financing opportunities are pursued; and

electrically providing the multi-level output to the user terminal, wherein the multi-level output is selectable by the user and comprises;

(1) a first level output interface comprising at least one comparison area, wherein each of the at least one comparison area comprises a current product portion providing particulars on a current user financial product, and a proposed product portion providing particulars on the at least one determined credit financing opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, and (2) a second-level output interface comprising at least one proposed consolidation opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, wherein the at least one consolidation opportunity consolidates the user'"'"'s current debt to meet the user'"'"'s objective, and wherein the second-level output is presented to the user upon the user initiating an icon included in the first-level output.

25. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the method further includes receiving a request from the user terminal to apply for a determined credit opportunity.

26. The computer readable storing medium according to claim 24, wherein the credit profile is comprised of t least one user credit data element, the at least one user credit data element identifying one or more characteristics of corresponding financing previously undertaken by the user.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein generating the output includes generating a first level output and generating a second level output.

28. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 27, wherein the first level output includes one or more comparisons of a determined credit opportunity with a respective one of the at least one user credit data elements.

29. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 27, wherein there are a plurality of credit data elements and the second output includes one or more comparisons of a determined credit opportunity with the plurality of user credit data elements.

30. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 26, where the at least one user credit data element includes an interest rate, an outstanding balance and a monthly payment.

31. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 30, wherein the at least one user credit data element further includes an identification of whether the corresponding credit data element was issued by a provider of the financing opportunities.

32. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 26, wherein the at least one user credit data element corresponds to at least one of a credit card, a vehicle loan, a secured debt, an unsecured debt, a home equity loan and a residential mortgage.

33. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the method further includes providing a summary of the user profile data to the user terminal.

34. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 33, wherein the summary includes at least one summary area corresponding to one of the user'"'"'s credit cards, personal lines of credit, personal loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, unsecured credit and total outstanding credit.

35. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the user data further includes personal data corresponding to the user and the method further includes the act of obtaining a credit worthiness report based on the personal data.

36. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 35, wherein determining credit financing opportunities includes consideration of the credit worthiness of the corresponding user.

37. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the credit opportunity is considered viable if it is determined that the user will save at least a predetermined amount of money during a predetermined time period.

38. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the user profile data includes a state of residence and wherein the predetermined decision rules include consideration of the state of residence and current interest rates for potential financing opportunities.

39. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 38, wherein the predetermined decision rules further consider the user'"'"'s taxation rate in determining the viable credit opportunities.

40. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the method further includes accepting a request for detailed information corresponding to a selected one of the financing opportunities and wherein at least a part of the output is provided in a substantially pictorial form.

41. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 40, wherein the pictorial form includes at least one of a graph and a pie chart.

42. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the method further includes preparing a list of potential financing opportunities at least partially based on opportunity data received from at least one product processor, and wherein the determined financing opportunities are selected from the prepared list.

43. An information processor in a financial processing system, the information processor coupled to at least one user terminal via a communication network, the information processor comprising:

a memory storing at least one decision rule;

a network interface coupling the information processor to the communication network; and

a central processing unit performing the functions of;

electrically receiving, via the network interface, credit data from the user terminal, the credit data comprising a user objective and a credit profile, wherein the user objective is received from the user and is selected from the group consisting of;

(1) modifying an interest rate, (2) modifying a monthly payment, and (3) obtaining credit, loan or other financing, and the credit profile comprises at least one particular of any number of financial products held by the user;

electrically determining credit financing opportunities, the determination being based on the credit data and at least one predetermined decision rule, wherein the credit financing opportunities comprising at least one financial product that meets the user objective;

electrically determining if the credit financing opportunities benefit the user in comparison to the financial products held by the user, wherein the benefit comprises a savings to the user of at least a predetermined amount of money or other value;

electrically generating at least one multi-level output, wherein the multi-level output comprising;

(1) a comparison of at least part of the credit profile with the determined credit financing opportunities that benefits the user, and (2) the benefit the user would receive if the credit financing opportunities are pursued; and

electrically providing the output to the user terminal, wherein the multi-level output is selectable by the user and comprises;

(1) a first level output interface comprising at least one comparison area, wherein each of the at least one comparison area comprises a current product portion providing particulars on a current user financial product, and a proposed product portion providing particulars on the at least one determined credit financing opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, and (2) a second-level output interface comprising at least one proposed consolidation opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, wherein the at least one consolidation opportunity consolidates the user'"'"'s current debt to meet the user'"'"'s objective, and wherein the second-level output is presented to the user upon the user initiating an icon included in the first-level output.

44. The information processor according to claim 43, further comprising a database coupled to the central processing unit, the database storing data corresponding to at least one financing opportunity.

45. The information processor according to claim 43, wherein the central processing unit further performs the function of receiving a request from the user terminal to apply for a determined credit opportunity.

46. The information processor according to claim 43, wherein the credit profile is comprised of at least one user credit data element, the at least one user credit data element identifying one or more characteristics of corresponding financing previously undertaken by the user.

47. The information processor according to claim 46, wherein the output is comprised of a first level output and a second level output.

48. The information processor according to claim 47, wherein the first level output includes one or more comparisons of a determined credit opportunity with a respective one of the at least one user credit data elements.

49. The information processor according to claim 47, where there are a plurality of credit data elements and the second output includes one or more comparisons of a determined credit opportunity with the plurality of user credit data elements.

50. The information processor according to claim 46, wherein the at least one user credit data element includes an interest rate, an outstanding balance and a monthly payment.

51. The information processor according to claim 50, wherein the at least one user credit data element further includes an identification of whether the corresponding credit data element was issued by a provider of the financing opportunities.

52. The information processor according to claim 46, wherein the at least one user credit data element corresponds to at least one of a credit card, a vehicle loan, a secured debt, an unsecured debt, a home equity loan and a residential mortgage.

53. The information processor according to claim 43, wherein the central processing unit further performs the function of providing a summary of the user profile data to the user terminal.

54. The information processor according to claim 53, wherein the summary includes at least one summary area corresponding to one of the user'"'"'s credit cards, personal lines of credit, personal loans, home equity lines of credit, auto loans, unsecured credit and total outstanding credit.

55. The information processor according to claim 43, wherein the user data further includes personal data corresponding to the user and the central processing unit further performs the function of obtaining a credit worthiness report based on the personal data.

56. The information processor according to claim 55, wherein the determining function includes consideration of the credit worthiness of the corresponding user.

57. The information processor according to claim 43, wherein the central processing unit considers a credit opportunity to be viable if the determining function determines that the user will save at least a predetermined amount of money during a predetermined time period.

58. The information processor according to claim 43, wherein the user profile data includes a state of residence and wherein the predetermined decision rules include consideration of the state of residence and current interest rates for potential financing opportunities.

59. The information processor according to claim 58, wherein the predetermined decision rules further consider the user'"'"'s taxation rate in determining viable credit opportunities.

60. The information processor according to claim 43, wherein the central processing unit further performs the function of accepting a request for detailed information corresponding to a selected one of the financing opportunities and wherein at least a part of the output is provided in a substantially pictorial form.

61. The information processor according to claim 60, wherein the pictorial form includes at least one of a graph and a pie chart.

62. A method for allowing a user of a user terminal to apply for a credit financing opportunity via a communication network, the method comprising:

electrically receiving credit data from the user terminal, the credit data comprising a user objective indicating that the user wishes to obtain credit and a credit profile, wherein the user objective is received from the user and is selected from the group consisting;

(1) modifying an interest rate, (2) modifying a monthly payment, and (3) obtaining credit, loan or other financing, and the credit profile comprises at least one particular of any number of financial products currently held by the user;

electrically determining potential financing products based at least in part on the credit data, wherein the potential financing products comprise at least one financial product that meets the user objective;

electrically determining if the determined potential financing products benefit the user in comparison to the financial products held by the user, wherein the benefit comprises a savings to the user of at least a predetermined amount of money or other value;

electrically providing a list of the determined potential financing products that benefit the user to the user terminal and a comparison of at least part of the credit profile with the determined potential financing products that benefit the user, wherein the list of the determined financing products is presented as a multi-level output, and wherein the multi-level output is selectable by the user and comprises;

(1) a first level output interface comprising at least one comparison area, wherein each of the at least one comparison area comprises a current product portion providing particulars on a current user financial product, and a proposed product portion providing particulars on at least one of the determined potential financing products that meets the user'"'"'s objective, and (2) a second-level output interface comprising at least one proposed consolidation opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, wherein the at least one consolidation opportunity consolidates the user'"'"'s current debt to meet the user'"'"'s objective, and wherein the second-level output is presented to the user upon the user initiating an icon included in the first-level output;

electrically receiving a request from the user terminal for information corresponding to a selected one of the potential financing products that benefit the user;

electrically providing the information to the user terminal; and

electrically receiving a request from the user terminal to initiate an application for the selected financing product.

63. The method according to claim 62, wherein the list of potential financing products includes:

vehicle loans;

education loans;

home improvement loans;

home purchase loans;

medical expense loans;

large event loans; and

vacation loans.

64. A method for allowing a user of a terminal to receive optimized information regarding a selected topic based on a multi-level output of opportunities, the method comprising:

electrically receiving input data from the user terminal, the input data comprising a user objective and a current usage profile, wherein user objective is received from the user and comprises a designation for;

(1) modifying an interest rate, (2) modifying a monthly payment, or (3) obtaining credit, loan or other financing, and the credit profile comprises at least one particular of any number of financial products currently held by the user;

electrically querying a knowledge base regarding the input data;

electrically retrieving operational data from the knowledge base;

electrically determining optimized information based on the results of applying at least one predetermined decision rule to the operational data, the user objective and current usage profile, wherein the optimized information comprises at least one financial product that meets the user objective;

electrically determining if the optimized information benefits the user in comparison to the financial products held by the user, wherein the benefit comprises a savings to the user of at least a predetermined amount of money or other value;

electrically generating at least one multi-level output comprising a comparison of at least part of the current usage profile with the determined optimized information; and

electrically providing the multi-level output to the terminal, wherein the multi-level output is selectable by the user and comprises;

(1) a first level output interface comprising at least one comparison area, wherein each of the at least one comparison area comprises a current product portion providing particulars on a current user financial product, and a proposed product portion providing particulars on at least one determined credit financing opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, and (2) a second-level output interface comprising at least one proposed consolidation opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, wherein the at least one consolidation opportunity consolidates the user'"'"'s current debt to meet the user'"'"'s objective, and wherein the second-level output is presented to the user upon the user initiating an icon included in the first-level output.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the knowledge base is connected to an electronic network.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the output includes links to at least one other electronic site.

67. The method of claim 65, farther comprising the steps of:

querying at least one search engine concerning the input data; and

processing the results of the querying of at least one search engine.

68. The method of claim 64, wherein the output includes a list of the optimized information.

69. A method for allowing a user of a user terminal to receive credit financing opportunities based on a multi-level output of opportunities, the method comprising:

presenting a user with a plurality of objectives, wherein the plurality of objectives comprises at least a lowering an interest rate selection and a lowering a monthly payment selection;

electrically receiving credit data from the user terminal, the credit data including a user objective selection and a credit profile, wherein the user objective selection comprises the lowering an interest rate selection or the lowering a monthly payment selection and the credit profile comprises at least one interest rate or monthly payment associated with at least one financial products held by the user;

electrically comparing the at least one interest rate or monthly payment associated with the at least one financial products held by the user with at least one financing opportunity;

electrically determining at least one financing opportunity that meet the user objective, said determination being based on at least one predetermined decision rule;

electrically determining if the at least one financing opportunity benefits the user in comparison to the financial products held by the user, wherein the benefit comprises a savings to the user of at least a predetermined amount of money or other value;

electrically generating at least one multi-level output, wherein the multi-level output comprising a comparison of at least part of the credit profile with the at least one determined credit financing opportunity that benefits the user, the comparison demonstrating that the at least one financing opportunity that meet the user objective has a lower interest rate or lower monthly payment than the at least one financial products held by the user; and

electrically providing the multi-level output to the user terminal, wherein the multi-level output is selectable by the user and comprises;

(1) a first level output interface comprising at least one comparison area, wherein each of the at least one comparison area comprises a current product portion providing particulars on a current user financial product, and a proposed product portion providing particulars on the at least one determined credit financing opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, and (2) a second-level output interface comprising at least one proposed consolidation opportunity that meets the user'"'"'s objective, wherein the at least one consolidation opportunity consolidates the user'"'"'s current debt to meet the user'"'"'s objective, and wherein the second-level output is presented to the user upon the user initiating an icon included in the first-level output.