U.S. patent application number 14/050457 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-05 for system and method for determining eligibility and enrolling members in various programs.
This patent application is currently assigned to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.. Invention is credited to Jon K. Forst, Michael F. Nikithser, Gregory Shields, Scott H. Simon, Nancy W. Woodall.
Application Number | 20180096425 14/050457 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38664686 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180096425 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simon; Scott H. ; et
al. |
April 5, 2018 |
System And Method For Determining Eligibility And Enrolling Members
In Various Programs
Abstract
A system and method for determining eligibility of persons and
enrolling those persons in various programs. For example, one
embodiment is particularly suited for enrolling credit card members
in payment programs. A program is selected, after which enrollment
information is entered. The enrollment information is checked and
verified, and the enrollment application is checked for
eligibility. The enrollment may be either accepted or declined. The
possibility of reiterative enrollment in more than one program is
provided. A system is provided for tracking which payment programs
are the most enticing for later feedback analysis.
Inventors: |
Simon; Scott H.;
(Wilmington, DE) ; Woodall; Nancy W.; (Earleville,
MD) ; Nikithser; Michael F.; (Pittsburgh, PA)
; Forst; Jon K.; (Annapolis, MD) ; Shields;
Gregory; (Washington, DC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
38664686 |
Appl. No.: |
14/050457 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13113352 |
May 23, 2011 |
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14050457 |
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12271180 |
Nov 14, 2008 |
7962391 |
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13113352 |
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11745320 |
May 7, 2007 |
7467109 |
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12271180 |
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09739880 |
Dec 20, 2000 |
7295999 |
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11745320 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 40/06 20130101;
G06Q 40/00 20130101; G06Q 40/025 20130101; G06Q 40/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 40/02 20120101
G06Q040/02 |
Claims
1.-22. (canceled)
23. An automated computer implemented method that automatically
enrolls a user who has an obligation to a financial institution in
one or more payment programs, the method performed using a
computing device and comprising: retrieving, via an electronic
input, credit information including information about a user's
current financial condition using a computer server, wherein the
credit information comprises personal user data and account data
regarding a user account; and providing, via an interactive user
interface, a list of payment programs comprising a plurality of
individually selectable payment programs each comprising different
terms specifically determined for the user based at least on the
collected credit information, wherein the list of payment programs
is listed in an order specific to the user, each individually
selectable payment program selectable, via the interactive user
interface, to establish enrollment in the selected payment program,
wherein upon selection of one payment program by the user, the
computer server obtains user payment information, retrieves data
from the database and processes at least a portion of the one
payment program selected by the user, wherein the user selects more
than one payment program through an iterative process and the
computer server further determines whether enrollment in any
accepted program is exclusive of enrollment in any other accepted
program; and for each of the selected payment programs, the
interactive user interface provides suggested payment dates based
on a billing cycle data associated with the user and suggested
payment amounts based on account balance data associated with the
user, the interactive user interface further comprises a feedback
section that provides enrollment status for each of the selected
payment programs.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the collected credit
information comprises a current debt amount.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the collected credit
information comprises information regarding employment status.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the collected credit
information comprises a debt-level range of the user.
27. (canceled)
28. (canceled)
29. The method of claim 23, wherein the collected credit
information comprises the type of user.
30. The method of claim 23, wherein the collected credit
information comprises the card balance of the user.
31. The method of claim 23, wherein the collected credit
information comprises the card account data of the user.
32. The method of claim 23, wherein the collected credit
information comprises data relating to whether the user has
previously enrolled in one or more of the payment programs.
33. An automated computer implemented system that automatically
enrolls a user who has an obligation to a financial institution in
one or more payment programs, the system comprising: one or more
processors; a database that stores account information and payment
program data; and a computer-readable medium storing instructions
for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more
processors coupled to the database, the instructions operable to
cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
retrieving, via an electronic input, credit information including
information about a user's current financial condition using a
computer server, wherein the credit information comprises personal
user data and account data regarding a user account; and providing,
via an interactive user interface, a list of payment programs
comprising a plurality of individually selectable payment programs
each comprising different terms specifically determined for the
user based at least on the collected credit information, wherein
the list of payment programs is listed in an order specific to the
user, each individually selectable payment program selectable, via
the interactive user interface, to establish enrollment in the
selected payment program, wherein upon selection of one payment
program by the user, the computer server obtains user payment
information, retrieves data from the database and processes at
least a portion of the one payment program selected by the user,
wherein the user selects more than one payment program through an
iterative process and the computer server further determines
whether enrollment in any accepted program is exclusive of
enrollment in any other accepted program; and for each of the
selected payment programs, the interactive user interface provides
suggested payment dates based on a billing cycle data associated
with the user and suggested payment amounts based on account
balance data associated with the user, the interactive user
interface further comprises a feedback section that provides
enrollment status for each of the selected payment programs.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein the collected credit
information comprises a current debt amount.
35. The system of claim 33, wherein the collected credit
information comprises information regarding employment status.
36. The system of claim 33, wherein the collected credit
information comprises a debt-level range of the user.
37. (canceled)
38. (canceled)
39. The system of claim 33, wherein the collected credit
information comprises the type of user.
40. The system of claim 33, wherein the collected credit
information comprises the card balance of the user.
41. The system of claim 33, wherein the collected credit
information comprises the card account data of the user.
42. The system of claim 33, wherein the collected credit
information comprises data relating to whether the user has
previously enrolled in one or more of the payment programs.
43. An automated computer implemented method for enrolling a user
who has an obligation to a financial institution in one or more
payment programs, the method performed using a computing device and
comprising: collecting credit information including information
about a user's current financial condition using a server; and
providing a list of payment programs comprising a plurality of
individually selectable payment programs each comprising different
terms specifically determined for the user based at least on the
collected credit information, each individually selectable payment
program selectable to establish enrollment in the selected payment
program, and wherein upon selection of one payment program by the
user, the server obtains user payment information and processes at
least a portion of the one payment program selected by the user;
wherein the collecting credit information comprises personal data
regarding the user; credit information related to account data
regarding a user account, a current debt amount, employment status,
a debt-level range of the user, type of user; and card account data
of the user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is filed as a continuing application under
35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 of the prior application Ser. No. 09/739,880,
filed on Dec. 20, 2000, attorney docket 47004.000058, entitled
"SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLING
MEMBERS IN VARIOUS PROGRAMS," which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety, which is related by subject matter to
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/391,460, filed Sep. 8, 1999,
entitled "Financial Advice Strategy System," also incorporated
herein by reference. Any disclaimer that may have occurred during
the prosecution of the above-referenced application is hereby
expressly rescinded.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a system and
method for determining eligibility and enrolling eligible persons,
such as credit card members, into appropriate programs, such as
programs for the payment of past due or overdue accounts.
Description of the Prior Art
[0003] Credit cards allow users to receive immediate credit from
the credit card issuer by purchasing items using the credit card,
and then repaying the credit card issuer for the purchased items at
a later date. Many credit card issuers (or "issuers") extend
additional credit to credit card members (or "credit card holders"
or "card holders") by permitting monthly payments of less than the
total balance of the credit card account, in exchange for the
payment of interest by the credit card member for the remaining
balance of the credit card account. A credit card issuer may
require minimum monthly payments from a credit card member to
ensure that the balance on the credit card account is eventually
paid in full.
[0004] Some credit card members are unable to pay even the minimum
monthly payments to the credit card issuer and thus become
delinquent. Various hardships, such as divorce, illness, loss of
employment or reduction in income, may prevent a credit card member
from making the required payments. Credit card members may also be
prevented from making appropriate payments due to other
obligations, such as mortgages, loans, and other credit card
payments. Credit cards have become very widely used due to their
ease of use, relative security, and extension of immediate credit.
Thus, there is an increased number of delinquent credit card
members.
[0005] As a result, many credit card issuers design payment
programs for delinquent credit card members. The payment programs
are often tailored to suit particular categories of hardships and
circumstances such as those mentioned above. The card members are
asked to commit to payment programs which suit them best, and still
satisfactorily repay their debt to the issuer. Providing tailored
payment programs encourages card members to make a commitment to
repay. Card members are more likely to complete the payment
programs if the requirements of the programs are matched with some
of their particular needs.
[0006] Unfortunately, there are numerous shortcomings with existing
payment program eligibility and enrollment systems. Credit card
issuers may have difficulty determining which payment programs are
appropriate and best for a particular card member, and then may
have trouble committing the card members to enroll in the program.
Issuers also have difficulty designing effective payment programs.
These are significant drawbacks.
[0007] One problem may arise when some card members who are not
eligible for a particular payment program are mistakenly offered
that program anyway. Conversely, another problem may arise when a
card member who is eligible for a payment program is not offered
that program. Different payment programs may have certain initial
conditions to be eligible for enrollment. For example, a payment
program may have as an initial condition for eligibility that the
delinquent card member has recently lost his or her job. Thus, some
payment programs may be appropriate for some card members, but
inappropriate for others. The issuer may not always apply correct
and uniform standards for determining eligibility for the payment
programs. Another problem may also arise when card members are
offered one payment program when another payment program would have
been more beneficial to the card issuer. In circumstances where a
card member is eligible for more than one payment program, some of
the payment programs may be more beneficial to the card issuer than
others. These are all significant drawbacks to conventional
eligibility and enrollment programs.
[0008] Another problem with prior art systems is determining in a
timely manner those programs for which a card member is eligible
for enrollment. The issuer may be required to obtain various
information from a card member to determine if the card member is
eligible for a particular program. Obtaining this information and
determining eligibility may be a lengthy process. This
inconvenience has the effect of discouraging the card member from
enrolling in a payment program. The inconvenience taxes the
issuer's resources as well. If a card member requests information
on several payment programs before committing to any of them, then
the inconvenience for both parties is compounded. Therefore,
current systems discourage some card members from enrolling and are
also burdensome for the card issuer.
[0009] Another drawback of current systems is obtaining feedback on
which payment programs are most effective. The most effective
payment programs both entice the card members and lead to repayment
of the greatest possible portion of money owed to the card issuer.
Current systems do not provide feedback about which programs
perform well based on these two factors.
[0010] Other problems and drawbacks also exist. Although the
problems and drawbacks of the prior art have been discussed in
relation to a system and method for enrolling delinquent card
members in repayment programs, these same problems and drawbacks
exist in other systems for enrolling members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the invention is to overcome these and other
existing drawbacks of present systems and methods.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and
method for accurately and consistently determining eligibility and
enrolling persons in appropriate programs.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and
method for rapidly and easily determining eligibility and enrolling
persons into appropriate programs.
[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a system and
method for providing feedback about which programs are the most
enticing and useful to members.
[0015] Other objects and advantages of the present invention are
explained below.
[0016] According to the invention, a program is selected, after
which enrollment information is entered. The enrollment information
is checked and verified, and the enrollment applications are
checked for eligibility. The enrollment may be either accepted or
declined. The possibility of reiterative enrollment in more than
one program is provided. A system is provided for tracking which
payment programs are the most enticing for later feedback
analysis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for determining
eligibility and enrolling persons into appropriate programs
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 2A and 2B are flowcharts depicting a method for
determining eligibility and enrolling persons into appropriate
programs according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts depicting a method for
determining eligibility and enrolling persons into appropriate
programs according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is an exemplary sample graphical user interface for
use in practicing the method according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is an exemplary sample graphical user interface for
use in practicing the method according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram representing a system for
practicing the method according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention involves a system and method for
determining eligibility in various enrollment programs. To assist
in the explanation of the invention, a specific implementation
thereof will now be described. In one embodiment of the invention,
a system for determining eligibility and enrollment in credit card
repayment programs assists a customer service representative
("CSR") who is speaking with the credit card members over a
telephone. The system aids the CSR by determining which of several
repayment programs is available to the member for enrollment and by
providing the result to the CSR. The system also provides the CSR
with information regarding each repayment program and prompts for
other information which is required for enrollment in each
repayment program. For example, the system may inform the CSR that
a particular repayment program is intended only for those members
suffering a hardship because of a lost job, and that enrollment in
the program requires committing to a minimum monthly payment. Once
the CSR has entered the member's enrollment information, the system
checks to ensure that the information is correct or within
acceptable ranges. For example, the system may check to see if the
minimum monthly payment is within an acceptable range for the
debt-level of the member. If all the information is acceptable, the
system prompts the CSR to accept enrollment of the member in the
repayment program. If enrollment is accepted, the system can update
databases to record the enrollment and take other steps according
to the repayment program plan. For example, the system may spawn
the creation of a letter to the member confirming the enrollment
and the minimum monthly payment that was agreed upon.
[0024] Having explained a specific implementation of the invention,
a more general implementation will now be described. FIG. 1
illustrates a method for determining eligibility and enrolling
persons in appropriate programs according to a first embodiment of
the invention. At step 10, the available programs are listed. The
available programs are all of the programs offered, regardless of
eligibility. The programs may be listed in an order of decreasing
desirability of enrolling a person in the program. In other words,
the program which it is most desirable for the person to be
enrolled in may be listed first on the list. One of the programs
from the list is selected at step 20. Eligibility of a person to
enroll in the selected program is determined at step 30. If the
person is eligible to enroll at step 30, the program application
information is immediately listed at step 50. Alternatively, if the
person is not eligible, a warning message may be given at step 40,
and it is determined whether the user is a supervisor (or another
with authority to explore enrollment in ineligible programs) at
step 45. If the user is not a supervisor, the available programs
are again listed at step 10. If the user is a supervisor, program
application information is listed at step 50. At step 60,
information is collected for completing the application. The
information collected for the application is submitted at step 70.
At step 80, it is determined whether all of the necessary program
application information has been submitted. If all of the necessary
program application information has not been submitted, an error
message is given at step 90, and program application information
may be solicited at step 60 again. If all of the necessary program
application information has been submitted, it is determined at
step 100 whether the program application information is within a
normal acceptable range. If any of the program application
information is not within a normal acceptable range, it is
determined at step 110 whether the values fall within a
supervisor's override range. If any of the application information
does not fall within a supervisor's override range, an error
message is given at step 90. If all of the application information
falls within a supervisor's override range, then a supervisor's
override approval is solicited at step 120. At step 130, it is
determined whether the supervisor's override is approved by a
supervisor. If the application information override is not approved
by a supervisor, an error message is given at step 90. If the
application information override is approved, it is determined
whether the person is eligible for the program at step 140. Also,
if the application information does fall within a normal acceptable
range at step 100, step 140 is performed. If it is determined that
the person is not eligible for the program at step 140, a
supervisor override is solicited at step 150. It is determined
whether a supervisor's override approval has been obtained at step
160. If a supervisor's override approval is not obtained, then an
error message is given at step 90. If a supervisor's override
approval is obtained, or if the person is determined to be eligible
for the program at step 140, then accept and decline options are
given at step 170. The person either chooses to accept the program
at step 180 or decline the program at step 190. After step 180 or
190, the application is closed and the enrollment is completed.
[0025] The method for determining eligibility and enrolling persons
in appropriate programs explained above may be practiced in several
different ways. According to an embodiment of the invention, the
method may be practiced when the person enrolling speaks to a
customer service representative ("CSR") on the telephone. A
software application may aid the CSR and the person enrolling. The
software application may display on the CSR's computer terminal the
list of programs according to step 10, described above. The CSR and
the person enrolling may interact over a telephone, where the CSR
reads the list of programs to the person enrolling, who may then
provide a program selection to the CSR according to step 20,
described above. The CSR enters the enrolling person's selection
into the CSR's computer terminal, and the software application may
perform a routine to determine the enrolling person's eligibility
according to step 30, described above.
[0026] According to another embodiment, the above method may be
practiced through the Internet. The person enrolling views a web
page where a software application, implementing the above method,
causes to be displayed on the web page the list of programs
according to step 10, described above. The person enrolling selects
a program for enrollment and submits his or her selection, using
the web browser, to the web server according to step 20, described
above. The web server submits the enrolling person's selection to a
software routine where the eligibility of the person to enroll in
that program is determined according to step 30, described above.
According to this way of practicing the method, a CSR is not
required, but may nonetheless be used.
[0027] According to a further embodiment, the above method may be
practiced by communicating with an automatic voice messaging and
information gathering system over a telephone. Such systems are
sometimes referred to as "automatic voice response" (AVR) or "voice
response units" (VRU). The automatic voice messaging system could
speak to the person enrolling, over the telephone, the list of
programs according to step 10, described above. The person
enrolling could submit to the automatic voice messaging and
information gathering system his or her program choice according to
step 20, described above, by pushing a key on his or her telephone
keypad or by speaking a number, which selection would be recorded
by the automatic voice messaging and information gathering system.
A software application for the above method could then receive the
enrolling person's program selection and determine the enrolling
person's eligibility for the program according to step 30,
described above. These are but a few examples of the ways in which
the above method for determining eligibility and enrolling persons
into appropriate programs may be practiced.
[0028] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a method for determining
eligibility and enrolling persons into appropriate programs
according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this
embodiment, more than one enrollment program may be selected
through an iterative process. If enrollment in some of the programs
is exclusive of other programs, then one or more programs must be
declined before the enrollment is completed. This embodiment is
similar to the previous embodiment except that, after the steps 180
and 190 of declining or accepting enrollment in a program, the
method returns at step 200 to step 10, where the available programs
are again listed. A person may select another program at step 20
and continue to follow the method as described previously. Thus,
the method is iterative in that a substantially similar set of
steps may be repeated several times in order to accept enrollment
in one or more programs according to the method of this embodiment.
At step 10, a close option may be selected at step 210, in which
case the method proceeds to A in FIG. 2B.
[0029] Beginning at A in FIG. 2B, a determination is made whether
there are multiple accepted programs at step 220. If multiple
programs have been accepted, at step 230 a determination is made
whether enrollment in any of the accepted programs is exclusive of
enrollment in any other accepted programs. If enrollment in any of
the programs is exclusive, then an error message is given at step
240, and the process then passes to B in FIG. 2A, where the
available programs are again listed according to step 10, described
above. If it is determined that there are not any accepted programs
which are exclusive of any other accepted programs, then the
enrollment is completed at step 250.
[0030] The enrollment completion step 250, described above, may
comprise steps for recording which programs were accepted and which
programs were declined. When this information is recorded for each
person involved in enrollment in the programs, the information can
be gathered together and later studied to help determine which
programs are the most enticing programs to enrolling persons, and,
based on repayment performance, which are the most effective
programs.
[0031] A further embodiment of a method for determining eligibility
and enrolling members in various programs according to the present
invention will now be described in connection with FIGS. 3A and 3B.
This particular embodiment is suited for determining the
eligibility of and enrolling credit card members in payment
programs. This particular embodiment is also suited to be practiced
with a software application that has been created to help either a
CSR or a credit card member follow the method.
[0032] In this embodiment a list of payment programs will be
displayed on a graphical user interface, according to step 610,
FIG. 3A. A schematic example of a graphical user interface 400
including a list of payment programs is illustrated in FIG. 4. In
this example of a payment program list, the different payment
programs available for enrollment are displayed in rows 410. The
payment program list includes a column 420 providing a description
of each payment program. The list may also include other columns
providing other information for the programs. For example, a column
430 may provide information on whether the member is eligible for
that particular payment program. Another column 440 may provide
information on whether the payment program is exclusive of other
payment programs. Another column 450 may include information on
whether the payment program was offered to the member in the past,
and if so, whether the program was accepted or declined. Rows 460
may also be included and will display programs grouped according to
another criteria. For example, rows 460 may display programs for
which there are no eligibility requirements--all members are
eligible for these programs.
[0033] This program list also includes two option buttons: "select"
and "close." By selecting the "select" button, a program,
previously preliminarily selected by the user through a method such
as highlighting, is finally selected, according to step 620, FIG.
3A. By selecting the "close" button, the iterative process of
selecting and enrolling in payment programs ends, according to step
810. Buttons may be selected using conventional manners of
selection (e.g., clicking on a button with a mouse).
[0034] At step 630, an eligibility check is performed to determine
if the member is eligible for the payment program selected in step
620. For example, eligibility to enroll in a particular payment
program might be limited to credit card members who owe less than a
predetermined amount to the issuer. If the enrolling person is
determined to be eligible for enrollment at step 630, the program
form is immediately displayed at step 650. Alternatively, if the
enrolling person is not eligible for enrollment, then a warning
message will be displayed at step 640. At step 645, it is
determined if the user is supervisor (or another person permitted
to proceed with an ineligible application). If the user is not a
supervisor, then the program list is displayed at step 610. If the
user is a supervisor, then the program form is displayed at step
650. Application data is entered into the application at step
660.
[0035] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates one example of a graphical
user interface 500 containing a program form according to the
present embodiment of the invention. In this example, the program
form contains a description area 510, an application form area 520,
and a feedback area 530. The description area 510, the application
form area 520, and the feedback area 530, will be pertinent to the
particular payment program selected in step 620. In the description
area 510, information about the payment program is displayed. This
information might include a description of the card members who are
best suited for the payment program, advantages of the payment
program, and other useful information. In the application form area
520, payment program enrollment information is solicited and
entered, and may be organized into distinct fields to facilitate
entering and gathering the enrollment information. The options may
include payment amounts, payment dates, interest rates, etc. In the
feedback area 530, feedback about the enrollment process may be
displayed. For example, after submitting the enrollment information
for a program for approval, the status of the approval, whether it
is approved or denied, may be displayed in the feedback area
530.
[0036] The program form may also comprise six option buttons:
"approval," "decline offer," "accept," "decline," "close," and
"cancel." If the card member is not interested in enrolling in the
payment program after the program form has been displayed and the
payment program has been explained to the card member, selecting
the "decline offer" button will close the payment program form and
the payment program list will again be displayed. By selecting the
"close" button, the payment program form is closed, but any payment
program enrollment information already entered in the application
form area 520 is retained for possible future use. By selecting the
"cancel" button, the payment program form is closed and no
information contained in the form is retained.
[0037] After completing the payment program enrollment information
in the application form area 520, choosing the "approval" button
will submit the enrollment information in the application form 520
area to be checked to determine if all of the necessary fields have
been completed, according to step 680, FIG. 3A. If all of the
necessary fields have not been completed, an error message is
displayed at step 690, and payment program enrollment information
may be completed at step 660 again. If all of the necessary fields
have been completed, it is determined at step 700 whether the
payment program enrollment information is within a normal
acceptable range. For example, if a monthly payment amount is
included in the payment program enrollment information to be
entered in step 660, then there may be a requirement for a minimum
amount for the monthly payment. At step 700 it would be determined
if the monthly payment amount entered at step 660 meets the minimum
monthly payment requirement. If any of the payment program
enrollment information is not within a normal acceptable range, it
is determined at step 710 whether the information falls within a
supervisor's override range. If any of the payment program
enrollment information does not fall within a supervisor's override
range, an error message is displayed at step 690. If all of the
payment program enrollment information falls within a supervisor's
override range, then a supervisor's override approval is solicited
at step 720. At step 730, it is determined whether the supervisor's
override is approved by a supervisor. If the supervisor's override
is not approved by a supervisor, an error message is displayed at
step 690. If the supervisor's override is approved, it is
determined whether the member is eligible for the payment program
at step 740. Also, if the payment program enrollment information
does fall within a normal acceptable range at step 700, step 740 is
performed. If it is determined that the member is not eligible for
the payment program at step 740, a supervisor's override is
solicited at step 750. It is determined whether a supervisor's
override has been approved at step 760. If a supervisor's override
is not approved, then an error message is displayed at step 690. If
a supervisor's override is approved, or if the member is determined
to be eligible for the payment program at step 140, then the
"accept" and "decline" option buttons are displayed on the program
form at step 770.
[0038] By selecting the "decline" button at step 790, enrollment in
the payment program is not accepted and the payment program form is
closed at step 800. By selecting the "accept" button at step 780,
enrollment in the payment program is accepted by the card member
and the payment program form is closed at step 800. The program
list is then again displayed at step 610.
[0039] In this embodiment, as in the embodiment depicted by FIGS.
2A and 2B, one or more payment programs may be viewed, approved,
and enrolled in during an iterative enrollment session. When it is
desired to complete the enrollment session, the "close" option
button is selected at step 810 and the iterative session stops. A
check is performed at 820, FIG. 5 to determine if the card member
has enrolled in more than one payment program. If the card member
has enrolled in more than one payment program, it is further
determined at 830 whether any of the payment programs are exclusive
of other payment programs. If any of the payment programs are
exclusive of other payment programs, an error message is displayed
at 840. After the error message is displayed at 840, the program
list is again displayed at 610, FIG. 3A. This allows one or more of
the enrolled-in payment programs to be selected at step 620, and
for enrollment in that payment program to be declined by following
the method explained above and selecting the "decline" button at
step 790. This process will resolve any conflicts between mutually
exclusive payment programs detected at step 830. If multiple
payment programs are not detected at step 820, or if no exclusive
payment programs are detected at 830, then enrollment will be
completed at step 850.
[0040] FIG. 6 schematically depicts a system 900 used to practice
the method of the third embodiment. The system 900 comprises a
CSR's computer terminal module 910, information database module
920, payment programs list module 930, payment program description
module 940, validation and verification module 950, enrollment
completion module 960, and payment program activity tracking module
970. The CSR's computer terminal module 910 may include a CPU, a
screen, a keyboard, etc., as is well known. The information
database module 920 may comprise computer readable databases which
may be stored on the CSR's computer terminal, or in another
computer separate from the CSR's computer terminal but connected to
the CSR's computer terminal through an information sharing network.
Various processing modules 930, 940, 950, 960, and 970 are designed
to effectively share and process information between the
information databases 920 and the CSR's computer terminal module
910 according to predetermined functions. These modules may be
defined by computer readable code stored and executed on the CSR's
computer terminal module 910 or on another computer separate from
the CSR's computer terminal module 910 but connected to the CSR's
computer terminal through an information sharing network such as a
LAN, WAN, Internet, or similar network.
[0041] The payment program list module 930 will aid in the
displaying of the payment program list according to step 610, FIG.
3A. As previously explained, the payment program list includes a
list of the available payment programs, and may further include
information on whether a card member is eligible for the payment
programs, whether the card member is already enrolled in a payment
program, or has been offered a payment program but previously
declined, or whether a payment program is exclusive of other
payment programs. The payment program list module 930 may aid in
the displaying of the payment program list by providing information
from the information databases 920 to the CSR's computer terminal
910 to help populate the payment program list. The payment program
list module 930 may also categorize the payment programs in an
order from the most desirable to the least desirable, based upon
predefined strategies.
[0042] The payment program description module 940 will aid in the
displaying of the payment program description window according to
step 650, FIG. 3A, and as illustrated in exemplary FIG. 5. As
previously described, the payment program description window may
include descriptive information about the selected payment program.
The descriptive information may include information customized to
the enrolling card member. For example, the descriptive information
may include suggested payment dates, and the suggested payment
dates may be based upon the billing cycle for the enrolling card
member. Or, the descriptive information may include suggested
payment amounts or interest rates, and the suggested payment
amounts or interest rates may be based upon the enrolling card
members account balance or previous interest rate. The payment
program description module 940 will aid in the displaying of the
payment program description window by providing information from
the information databases 920 to help populate the payment program
description window.
[0043] The validation and verification module 950 will aid in all
of the data checking and determinations of the present invention
(e.g., steps 680, 700, 710, etc. of FIG. 3A). The validation and
verification module 950 provides information from the information
databases 920 about normal ranges for payment program enrollment
information, supervisor override ranges for payment program
enrollment information, etc. The validation and verification
functions may also provide information about the card member's
account from the information databases 920 to aid in the data
checking and determinations.
[0044] The enrollment completion module 960 will aid in enrollment
completion, step 850, FIG. 3B. The enrollment completion module 960
may store information about payment program enrollment acceptance
and payment program enrollment information in the information
databases 920. The enrollment completion module 960 may also
trigger the creation of letters to the card member, the transfer of
funds between accounts, etc.
[0045] The account activity tracking module 970 may aid in
determining which payment programs are the most enticing to card
members and the most effective. The account activity tracking
module 970 may store information in the information databases 920
about how many times each payment program is offered to card
members and how often the payment program is declined or accepted
or any other outcome which is desired to track.
[0046] Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the invention
disclosed herein. The specification and examples should be
considered exemplary only. The intended scope of the invention is
only limited by the claims appended hereto.
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