Methods and systems for managing risk management information

• US 8,589,273 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: GE Corporate Financial Services, Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Creeden, Denis Michael, Glionna, Jesse, Poulter, Martha Cecilia, Kaptinski, John Stephen, Persico, James Robert, Doolittle, William Roy, Cascade, Ryan Stuart, Ernst, David Andrew, Chomienne, Kathleen Mary, Bellish, Robert Wayne, Crowley, Robert Francis, van Heyst, Amanda Jenks
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMPEN, KELLY SCAGGS
• Application Number:
  US10/329,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20040122756A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,984 Days
• Field of Search: 705/35, 705/36.R, 705/38, 705/30, 705/7.37, 705/7.36, 705/7.31
• US Class Current: 705/36.R
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A server system is coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system. Business information relating to at least one second business entity is received at the server system from the client system. The business information received at the server system is stored in the centralized database. The business information stored in the centralized database is tracked, and the centralized database is periodically updated with newly received business information to maintain the business information. The business information is provided in response to an inquiry.

Claims

1. A method for managing business information by a first business entity using a server system including a processor and coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving at the server system business information relating to a plurality of second business entities from the client system;

storing the business information received at the server system in the centralized database;

tracking the business information stored in the centralized database;

updating the centralized database periodically with newly received business information to maintain the business information;

providing the business information in response to an inquiry;

selecting for analysis a second business entity from the plurality of second business entities stored in the database;

analyzing, by the processor, the selected second business entity to determine whether to engage in a deal with the selected second business entity, the deal including the first business entity at least one of providing financing to the selected second business entity and acquiring the selected second business entity;

engaging in the deal with the selected second business entity by at least one of the first business entity providing financing to the selected second business entity and the first business entity acquiring the selected second business entity, the deal further including at least one deal covenant relating to a future financial performance of the selected second business entity, wherein the at least one covenant includes terms agreed to by both the first business entity and the selected second business entity;

monitoring the business information of the selected second business entity after the first business entity engages in the deal with the selected second business entity including monitoring the future financial performance of the selected second business entity and determining whether the selected second business entity has violated any of the deal covenants; and

generating an alert to notify the first business entity when the monitored future financial performance of the selected second business entity meets a predetermined threshold amount and when the selected second business entity violates one of the deal covenants.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving business information comprises receiving risk management (RM) information, RM information comprising business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other documents and information relating to the financial condition for each second business entity.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising notifying a predesignated party of a review of the business information by a user.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein notifying the predesignated party comprises transmitting an electronic message to an account manager from at least one member of a deal team notifying the account manager that a review of the business information for the second business entity by the deal team has occurred, and notifying the account manager of the deal team'"'"'s findings and recommendations relating to the review of the business information.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein notifying the predesignated party comprises transmitting an electronic message to at least one of an account manager, a team leader, a portfolio manager, and a senior risk manager from at least one of a member of a deal team, an account manager, a team leader, a portfolio manager, and a senior risk manager.

6. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein notifying the predesignated party comprises transmitting an electronic message to at least one of a team leader, a portfolio manager, and a senior risk manager from at least one member of a deal team notifying at least one of the team leader, the portfolio manager, and the senior risk manager that a review of the business information for a selected group of the second business entities by the deal team has occurred, and providing the deal team'"'"'s findings and recommended actions to be taken based on the review of the business information.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving business information comprises receiving at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other documents and information relating to the financial condition for each second business entity.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving business information comprises receiving business information through the client system for review by a user.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving business information comprises importing business information from a plurality of computer programs through the client system.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein tracking business information comprises:

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of each second business entity; and

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of at least one of a selected group of second business entities and selected industry benchmarks.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein tracking business information comprises:

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes a selected subset of at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of each second business entity; and

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes a selected subset of at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of at least one of a selected group of second business entities and selected industry benchmarks.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein tracking business information comprises:

exporting business information relating to at least one of the second business entities by a user from the centralized database to at least one other computer program for at least one of review and analysis; and

exporting business information relating to at least one selected group of the second business entities by a user from the centralized database to at least one other computer program for at least one of review and analysis.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein tracking business information further comprises linking documents to at least one of the second business entities and a selected group of the second business entities such that a user can access the documents during a review of the second business entities.

14. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing business information comprises:

displaying designated second business entities on the client system for at least one of a senior risk manager, portfolio manager, team leader, an account manager, internal deal team members, and outside deal team members; and

receiving an inquiry from the client system regarding at least one of the second business entities and a selected group of the second business entities.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing business information comprises:

displaying information on the client system regarding at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, and an equity valuation for each second business entity and a selected group of the second business entities; and

receiving an inquiry from the client system regarding at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, and an equity valuation for each second business entity and a selected group of the second business entities.

16. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing business information comprises:

accessing the centralized database;

searching the database regarding the specific inquiry;

retrieving information from the database; and

transmitting the retrieved information to the client system for display by the client system.

17. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein providing business information comprises providing at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, and an equity valuation for each second business entity and a selected group of the second business entities.

18. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising connecting the client system and the server system via a network that includes one of a wide area network, a local area network, an intranet and the Internet.

19. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

assigning a workload factor to the deal, the workload factor representing an amount of work a user associated with the first business entity would likely devote to at least one of completing the deal and monitoring the business information of the selected second business entity after the deal has been completed, wherein the workload factor is based on at least one of a type of the deal, risks associated with the deal, and a progress status of the deal; and

managing a workload of the user associated with the first business entity based on the assigned workload factor.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein managing a workload of the user further comprises designating a maximum workload amount that may be assigned to the user wherein a workload amount directly relates to the workload factors assigned to each deal.

21. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein monitoring the business information further comprises:

transmitting business information for another second business entity for storage within the database after the first business entity has entered into a deal with the other second business entity, and

monitoring the transmitted business information of the other second business entity including monitoring the future financial performance of the other second business entity and determining whether the other second business entity has violated any deal covenants.

22. A method for managing risk management (RM) information by a first business entity using a server system including a processor and coupled to a centralized database, at least one managerial user system, and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving at the server system RM information relating to a plurality of second business entities through the client system, the RM information including at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other documents and information relating to the financial condition of each second business entity;

storing RM information received at the server system in the centralized database;

tracking RM information stored in the centralized database;

updating the centralized database periodically with newly received RM information to maintain RM information;

providing RM information in response to an inquiry;

selecting for analysis a second business entity from the plurality of second business entities stored in the database;

analyzing, by the processor, the RM information for the selected second business entity to determine whether to engage in a deal with the selected second business entity, the deal including the first business entity at least one of providing financing to the selected second business entity and acquiring the selected second business entity;

engaging in the deal with the selected second business entity by at least one of the first business entity providing financing to the selected second business entity and the first business entity acquiring the selected second business entity, the deal further including at least one deal covenant relating to a future financial performance of the selected second business entity, wherein the at least one covenant includes terms agreed to by both the first business entity and the selected second business entity;

monitoring the RM information of the selected second business entity after the first business entity engages in the deal with the selected second business entity including monitoring the future financial performance of the selected second business entity and determining whether the selected second business entity has violated any of the deal covenants; and

providing an electronic report of the monitored RM information from the client system to the managerial user system, which includes at least one of a summary of RM information reviewed, and findings and recommended actions to be taken based on the RM information.

23. A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising managing a workload of a user by a predesignated party based on at least one deal assigned to the user.

24. A method in accordance with claim 22 wherein receiving RM information comprises receiving at least one account from a user through the client system, each account includes RM information for a selected second business entity such that the financial condition of each second business entity may be analyzed by the first business entity.

25. A method in accordance with claim 22 wherein tracking RM information comprises:

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of each second business entity;

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes a selected subset of at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of each second business entity;

exporting RM information from the centralized database by a user to at least one other computer program for review; and

linking documents to at least one of the second business entities such that a user can access the documents during a review of the second business entities.

26. A method in accordance with claim 22 wherein tracking RM information comprises:

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of a selected group of the second business entities;

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes a selected subset of at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of the selected group of the second business entities;

exporting RM information relating to a selected group of second business entities selected by a user from the centralized database to at least one other computer program for review; and

linking documents to the selected group of second business entities such that a user can access the documents during a review of the second business entities.

27. A method in accordance with claim 22 wherein providing an electronic report comprises transmitting an electronic report to the managerial user system from at least one member of an internal deal team including a summary of the review of RM information, and the deal team'"'"'s findings and recommendations such that managerial oversight of the RM information and electronic data interchange between a user, the first business entity, and the second business entity are facilitated.

28. A method for managing risk management (RM) information for a first business entity using a web-based system including a server system including a processor and coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, said method comprising:

receiving at the server system RM information relating to a plurality of second business entities from a user through the client system, the RM information including at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other documents and information relating to the financial condition of each second business entity;

storing RM information received at the server system in the centralized database;

tracking RM information including compiling data reports, exporting RM information, and linking documents to at least one of the second business entities;

updating the centralized database with RM information including adding and deleting information to revise existing RM information;

providing RM information including at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other documents and information relating to the financial condition of each second business entity, in response to an inquiry, including downloading requested information from the server system and displaying requested information on the client system, the inquiry including utilizing at least one pull-down lists, check boxes, radio buttons, and hypertext links;

selecting for analysis a second business entity from the plurality of second business entities stored in the database;

analyzing, by the processor, the RM information for the selected second business entity to determine whether to engage in a deal with the selected second business entity, the deal including the first business entity at least one of providing financing to the selected second business entity and acquiring the selected second business entity;

engaging in the deal with the selected second business entity by at least one of the first business entity providing financing to the selected second business entity and the first business entity acquiring the selected second business entity, the deal further including at least one deal covenant relating to a future financial performance of the selected second business entity, wherein the at least one covenant includes terms agreed to by both the first business entity and the selected second business entity;

reviewing the RM information of the selected second business entity after the first business entity engages in the deal with the selected second business entity including monitoring the future financial performance of the selected second business entity and determining whether the selected second business entity has violated any of the deal covenants;

notifying a user through an electronic message of the results of the review of RM information, including findings and recommended actions to be taken based on the RM information; and

providing a report of the review results by transmitting an electronic report to the managerial user system, which includes a summary of the review of RM information, and an internal deal team'"'"'s findings and recommendations such that managerial oversight of the RM information and electronic data interchange between a user, the first business entity, and the second business entity are facilitated.

29. A network based system for managing business information by a first business entity, said system comprising:

a client system comprising a browser;

a centralized database for storing information;

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said database, said server system comprising a processor configured to;

receive business information relating to a plurality of second business entities from said client system;

store said business information in said centralized database;

track said business information;

update said centralized database periodically with newly received business information to maintain said business information;

provide said business information in response to an inquiry by a user;

select for analysis a second business entity from the plurality of second business entities stored in the database;

analyze the selected second business entity to determine whether to engage in a deal with the selected second business entity, the deal including the first business entity at least one of providing financing to the selected second business entity and acquiring the selected second business entity;

store deal information in the database representing the first business entity engaging in the deal with the selected second business entity by at least one of the first business entity providing financing to the selected second business entity and the first business entity acquiring the selected second business entity, the deal further including at least one deal covenant relating to a future financial performance of the selected second business entity, wherein the at least one covenant includes terms agreed to by both the first business entity and the selected second business entity;

monitor the business information of the selected second business entity after the first business entity engages in the deal with the selected second business entity including monitoring the future financial performance of the selected second business entity and determining whether the selected second business entity has violated any of the deal covenants; and

notify users electronically of a review of the business information by a deal team, including said deal team'"'"'s findings and recommended actions to be taken based on the review of said business information.

30. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said business information comprises risk management (RM) information, said RM information comprising at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other documents and information relating to the financial condition for each second business entity.

31. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said client system further comprises at least one of:

a displaying component for displaying at least one of a pull-down list, a check box, radio buttons, and hypertext link options relating to the business information;

a sending component to send an inquiry to said server system so that said server system can process and download the requested information to said client system;

a collection component for collecting business information from users into said centralized database;

a tracking component for tracking business information;

a displaying component for displaying business information for at least one second business entity and a selected group of said second business entities;

a receiving component for receiving an inquiry from said client system regarding at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, and an equity valuation for at least one second business entity and the selected group of second business entities;

an accessing component for accessing said centralized database and causing the retrieved information to be displayed on said client system; and

a notifying component for electronically notifying users that a review of said business information by a deal team has occurred, and of said deal team'"'"'s findings and recommended actions to be taken based on said review of said business information.

32. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said server system further comprises a receiving component for receiving an inquiry to provide information from one of a plurality of users.

33. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said server system further comprises a processing component for searching and processing received inquiries against said database containing information collected by said collection component, and for tracking said business information.

34. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said server system further comprises a retrieving component to retrieve business information from said database.

35. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said server system further comprises an information fulfillment component that downloads the requested information after retrieving from said database.

36. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said server system further comprises a receiving component that receives an inquiry from said client system regarding at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other documents and information relating to the financial condition of at least one of each second business entity and a selected group of said second business entities.

37. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said server system further comprises at least one of a receiving component that receives information directly through said client system, and a receiving component that receives information in a pre-determined format established for inputting said business information.

38. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said server system further comprises a tracking component that accomplishes at least one of:

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of each second business entity;

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes a selected subset of at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, said availability analysis, said covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, said capital structure, income statements, said inventory, said leverage analysis, said loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, said liquidation value, amortization information, said capital raising history, said equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of each second business entity;

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, said availability analysis, said covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, said capital structure, income statements, said inventory, said leverage analysis, said loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, said liquidation value, amortization information, said capital raising history, said equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of a selected group of said second business entities;

compiling a plurality of data reports that includes a selected subset of at least one of accounts payable, accounts receivable, said availability analysis, said covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, said capital structure, income statements, said inventory, said leverage analysis, said loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, said liquidation value, amortization information, said capital raising history, said equity valuation, and other reports relating to the financial condition of the selected group of said second business entities;

exporting said business information relating to each second business entity by a user from said centralized database to at least one other computer program for review;

exporting said business information relating to said selected group of said second business entities selected by a user from said centralized database to at least one other computer program for review;

linking documents to at least one second business entity such that a user can access said documents during a review of said second business entities; and

linking documents to said selected group of said second business entities such that a user can access said documents during a review of said second business entities.

39. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said server system further comprises a tracking component that manages a workload of a user based on the deals assigned to said user.

40. A system in accordance with claim 29 wherein said server system further comprises a notifying component that notifies a user via transmitting an electronic message to said client system of a review of said business information by said deal team, including said deal team'"'"'s findings and recommended actions to be taken based on said review of said business information.

41. A network based system for managing, storing, and disseminating risk management (RM) information enabling a first business entity to analyze a plurality of second business entities, said system comprising:

a client system comprising a browser;

a managerial user system comprising a browser;

a centralized database for storing information; and

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system, said managerial user system, and said database, said server system comprising a processor configured to;

receive RM information from said client system, said RM information comprising at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other documents and information relating to the financial condition of each second business entity;

store RM information in the centralized database;

track RM information;

update said centralized database periodically with newly received RM information to maintain RM information;

provide RM information in response to an inquiry;

select for analysis a second business entity from the plurality of second business entities stored in the database;

analyze the RM information of the selected second business entity for determining whether to engage in a deal with the selected second business entity, the deal including the first business entity at least one of providing financing to the selected second business entity and acquiring the selected second business entity;

store deal information in the database representing the first business entity engaging in the deal with the selected second business entity by at least one of the first business entity providing financing to the selected second business entity and the first business entity acquiring the selected second business entity, the deal further including at least one deal covenant relating to a future financial performance of the selected second business entity, wherein the at least one covenant includes terms agreed to by both the first business entity and the selected second business entity;

monitor the RM information of the selected second business entity after the first business entity engages in the deal with the selected second business entity including monitoring the future financial performance of the selected second business entity and determining whether the selected second business entity has violated any of the deal covenants;

notify a user electronically of the results of a review of RM information; and

provide an electronic report of said review results to said managerial user system, which includes a summary of said RM information reviewed, and findings and recommended actions to be taken based on said review of said RM information.

42. A system in accordance with claim 41 wherein providing RM information comprises:

displaying designated second business entities on said client system for at least one of a team leader, a portfolio manager, an account manager, a senior risk manager, at least one internal deal team member, and at least one outside deal team member; and

receiving an inquiry from said client system regarding at least one of said second business entities and a selected group of said second business entities.

43. A system in accordance with claim 41 wherein said server system further comprises a receiving component that receives an inquiry from said client system regarding certain topics including at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, an equity valuation, and other documents and information relating to the financial condition of each second business entity and a selected group of second business entities.

44. A system in accordance with claim 41 wherein said server system further comprises a processing component that cross-references RM information including compiling data reports, exporting RM information, and linking documents to at least one of said second business entities.

45. A system in accordance with claim 41 wherein said server system further comprises a notifying component that notifies users by transmitting an electronic report from said server system of a review of said RM information by a deal team, including said deal team'"'"'s findings and recommendations relating to said review of said RM information.

46. A system in accordance with claim 41 wherein said server system further comprises a providing component that provides an electronic report to said managerial user system by transmitting an electronic report to said managerial user system from at least one member of a deal team comprising a summary of said review of RM information, including said deal team'"'"'s findings and recommended actions to be taken, such that managerial oversight of the RM information and electronic data interchange between a user, the first business entity, and the second business entity are facilitated.

47. A non-transitory computer readable medium including a computer program embodied thereon for managing risk management (RM) information by a first business entity analyzing a plurality of second business entities, said program comprising a code segment that receives RM information and then, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:

maintain a database by adding, deleting and updating RM information;

provide users with access to RM information;

generate data reports based on RM information for each of the plurality of second business entities and a selected group of the plurality of second business entities;

compile a plurality of data reports for each of the second business entities and the selected group of second business entities including data reports showing accounts payable, accounts receivable, an availability analysis, a covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, a capital structure, income statements, an inventory, a leverage analysis, a loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, a liquidation value, amortization information, a capital raising history, and an equity valuation;

select for analysis a second business entity from the plurality of second business entities stored in the database;

analyze the RM information for the selected second business entity for determining whether to engage in a deal with the selected second business entity, the deal including the first business entity at least one of providing financing to the selected second business entity and acquiring the selected second business entity;

store deal information in the database representing the first business entity engaging in the deal with the selected second business entity by at least one of the first business entity providing financing to the selected second business entity and the first business entity acquiring the selected second business entity, the deal further including at least one deal covenant relating to a future financial performance of the selected second business entity, wherein the at least one covenant includes terms agreed to by both the first business entity and the selected second business entity;

monitor the RM information of the selected second business entity after the first business entity engages in the deal with the selected second business entity including monitoring the future financial performance of the selected second business entity and determining whether the selected second business entity has violated any of the deal covenants;

generate an alert to notify the first business entity when the monitored future financial performance of the selected second business entity meets a predetermined threshold amount and when the selected second business entity violates one of the deal covenants;

link documents to the selected second business entity such that a user can access said documents during a review of said second business entity;

notify a user of a review of RM information of the selected second business entity by a deal team member; and

provide a report comprising a summary of said review of RM information, including said deal team'"'"'s findings and recommendations.

48. A non-transitory computer readable medium in accordance with claim 47, wherein the computer program further comprises a code segment that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to prompt a predesignated party to manage a workload of a user based on at least one deal assigned to said user.

49. A non-transitory computer readable medium in accordance with claim 47, wherein the computer program further comprises a code segment that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to provide at least one of an option to filter and sort RM information based on at least one of business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, said availability analysis, said covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, said capital structure, income statements, said inventory, said leverage analysis, said loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, said liquidation value, amortization information, said capital raising history, and said equity valuation for at least one of each second business entities and said selected group of second business entities.

50. A non-transitory computer readable medium in accordance with claim 47, wherein the computer program further comprises a code segment that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to generate a display of at least one business information, accounts payable, accounts receivable, said availability analysis, said covenant compliance, coverage ratios, financial statements, financial statement and availability projections, said capital structure, income statements, said inventory, said leverage analysis, said loan profile, collateral, guarantors, machinery and equipment, real estate, said liquidation value, amortization information, said capital raising history, and said equity valuation for at least one of each second business entity and said selected group of second business entities.

51. A non-transitory computer readable medium in accordance with claim 47, wherein the computer program further comprises a code segment that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:

access said database;

search said database in response to an inquiry;

retrieve information from said database;

cause retrieved information to be displayed on a client system;

notify a user of a review of said RM information; and

cause a report summarizing the review of RIM information to be transmitted.

52. A non-transitory computer readable medium in accordance with claim 47, wherein the computer program further comprises a code segment that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to monitor the security of the system by restricting access to authorized individuals.

53. A non-transitory computer readable medium in accordance with claim 47, wherein the computer program further comprises a code segment that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to cross-reference existing RM information with newly received RM information.