METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTION OF UNACTIVATED BANK ACCOUNT CARDS

• US 20130246153A1
• Filed: 05/03/2013
• Published: 09/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• 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: Cleary, Michael J., Clifton, David A., Cohen, David C., Rodgers, Kristine K., Ilijastic, Dean
• Granted Patent: US 8,768,808 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/354 Card activation or deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof

Abstract

The invention comprises a method for distributing dead bank cards to customers who have not solicited a bank card or submitted an application. The dead bank card is a bank card (e.g., ATM card, debit card, check card, and the like) which contains all necessary information to be used, including a pre-assigned bank account number, and which only requires activation/approval by the prospective new bank account customer. In one embodiment, the dead bank card is distributed in connection with live credit cards issued to applicants for credit card accounts. Once operative, the bank card and the credit card may be linked together through a rebate/rewards program.

Claims

1. A method for distributing bank cards, the method comprising:

issuing, by a sponsoring bank, a universal bank card to a cardholder, wherein, at time of issuance, the universal bank card is not associated with any bank account at the sponsoring bank; and

causing the cardholder to activate the universal bank card by associating the universal bank card with a bank account held at a linked bank that is different from the sponsoring bank, wherein approved transactions initiated with the universal bank card are funded by the associated bank account.

2. A computerized method for distributing bank cards, the method comprising:

issuing, by a first bank, a universal bank card to a cardholder, wherein, at time of issuance, the universal bank card is not actively associated with any bank account; and

causing the cardholder to activate the universal bank card by associating the universal bank card with at least one bank account selected from a group consisting of;

one or more accounts held at the first bank, and

one or more accounts held at a second bank that is different from the first bank;

receiving an authorization request for a card transaction initiated with the universal bank card, the authorization request being routed via a payment network;

approving the card transaction; and

settling at least a portion of the approved card transaction with funds from the at least one bank account that has been associated with the universal bank card.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the one or more accounts held at the first bank comprise a bank account pre-built for the cardholder.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the one or more accounts held at the first bank comprise a pre-existing bank account that the cardholder held at the first bank prior to the issuance of the universal bank card.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the one or more accounts held at the first bank comprise a new bank account that the cardholder opens at the first bank subsequent to the issuance of the universal bank card.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the one or more accounts held at the second bank comprise a pre-existing bank account that the cardholder held at the second bank prior to the issuance of the universal bank card.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the one or more accounts held at the second bank comprise a new bank account that the cardholder opens at the second bank subsequent to the issuance of the universal bank card.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the universal bank card is associated with a rewards program, and wherein usage of the universal bank card accrues rewards or rebates for the cardholder.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein the universal bank card is associated with a single bank account at any given time.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the universal bank card is simultaneously associated with multiple bank accounts.