Credit score simulation

• US 7,593,891 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Experian Information Solutions Incorporated (Experian plc)
• Original Assignee: Experian-Scorex, LLC (Experian plc)
• Inventors: Schwab, Matthew R., Kornegay, Adam T., de Almeida, Marcos C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hamilton; Lalita M
• Application Number:
  US11/150,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20060004654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 705/35, 705/38
• US Class Current: 705/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

Systems and methods are described that simulate a credit score. The system enables a user to modify a credit data element in order to determine its effect on a credit score. The user can modify the element directly or simulate an action that, if performed, would modify the element. Since the number of possible modifications and actions can be overwhelming, in one embodiment, the system suggests modifications and actions to be simulated. These suggestions can be tailored to a user'"'"'s goal, such as increasing a credit score by a particular number of points or allocating a particular sum of money in order to maximize a credit score. In one embodiment, the system obtains credit data from multiple credit bureaus and can determine credit scores using different algorithms, such as the different algorithms used by the different credit bureaus.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for simulating a financial risk score, the method comprising:

using a computer processor to generate a first simulated financial risk score that is based at least in part on a plurality of consumer financial data that is stored in a tangible computer-readable medium and that comprises at least first account-specific data regarding a first account associated with a consumer and second account-specific data regarding a second account associated with the consumer;

presenting a user with at least one recommended account-specific hypothetical modification to the plurality of consumer financial data and presenting to the user an option to choose the recommended account-specific hypothetical modification to the plurality of consumer financial data, wherein the account-specific hypothetical modification relates to one of the first account-specific data or the second account-specific data;

receiving from the user information indicative of at least one hypothetical modification to the plurality of consumer financial data and storing the information in a tangible computer-readable medium;

using a computer processor to generate a second simulated financial risk score that is based at least in part on the plurality of consumer financial data and the at least one hypothetical modification;

outputting for display the second simulated financial risk score; and

presenting to the user a user interface element that helps the user perform an action to change the consumer financial data to reflect the selected hypothetical modification, wherein the action comprises applying for new credit;

wherein the method is performed via processor execution of instructions stored on a tangible computer-readable medium.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein more than one recommended hypothetical modification is presented to the user and the user can select a subset of the hypothetical modifications or all of the hypothetical modifications.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is the consumer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one recommended hypothetical modification is determined, based on the consumer financial data, to be a modification that would improve a consumer financial risk score.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one recommended hypothetical modification is determined by a calculation that determines that the recommended hypothetical modification would result in the second simulated financial risk score being higher than the first simulated financial risk score.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one account-specific hypothetical modification comprises reducing a balance of an account.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one account-specific hypothetical modification comprises increasing a balance of an account.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one account-specific hypothetical modification comprises paying off an account.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one account-specific hypothetical modification comprises closing an account.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first simulated financial risk score and the second simulated financial risk score comprise simulated credit scores.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first simulated financial risk score and the second financial risk score are calculated using at least one financial risk scorecard.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving from the user information indicative of at least one hypothetical modification comprises receiving from the user at least two hypothetical modifications to be accomplished at separate times specified by the user, and wherein the second simulated financial risk score takes into account the times at which the at least two hypothetical modifications are to be accomplished.

13. A tangible computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions that are executable by a computer processor, said instructions when executed embodying a method that comprises:

generating a first simulated financial risk score that is based at least in part on a plurality of consumer financial data that comprises at least first account-specific data regarding a first account associated with a consumer and second account-specific data regarding a second account associated with the consumer;

presenting a user with at least one recommended account-specific hypothetical modification to the plurality of consumer financial data and presenting to the user an option to choose the recommended account-specific hypothetical modification to the plurality of consumer financial data, wherein the account-specific hypothetical modification relates to one of the first account-specific data or the second account-specific data;

receiving from the user information indicative of at least one hypothetical modification to the plurality of consumer financial data;

generating a second simulated financial risk score that is based at least in part on the plurality of consumer financial data and the at least one hypothetical modification;

outputting for display the second simulated financial risk score; and

presenting to the user a user interface element that helps the user perform an action to change the consumer financial data to reflect the selected hypothetical modification, wherein the action comprises applying for new credit.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured such that more than one recommended hypothetical modification is presented to the user and the user can select a subset of the hypothetical modifications or all of the hypothetical modifications.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the user is the consumer.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein computer-executable instructions are configured such that the at least one recommended hypothetical modification is determined, based on the consumer financial data, to be a modification that would improve a consumer financial risk score.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured such that the at least one recommended hypothetical modification is determined by a calculation that determines that the recommended hypothetical modification would result in the second simulated financial risk score being higher than the first simulated financial risk score.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured such that the at least one account-specific hypothetical modification comprises reducing a balance of an account.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured such that the at least one account-specific hypothetical modification comprises increasing a balance of an account.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured such that the at least one account-specific hypothetical modification comprises paying off an account.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured such that at least one account-specific hypothetical modification comprises closing an account.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured such that the first simulated financial risk score and the second simulated financial risk score comprise simulated credit scores.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured such that the first simulated financial risk score and the second financial risk score are calculated using at least one financial risk scorecard.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured such that receiving from the user information indicative of at least one hypothetical modification comprises receiving from the user at least two hypothetical modifications to be accomplished at separate times specified by the user, and wherein the second simulated financial risk score takes into account the times at which the at least two hypothetical modifications are to be accomplished.