Patent Publication Number: US-2003229587-A1

Title: Computerized application and underwriting systems and methods

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/109,198, entitled “MERCHANT APPLICATION AND UNDERWRITING SYSTEMS AND METHODS” (Attorney Docket No. 020375-007100US), filed on Mar. 27, 2002, by Michael L. Sgaraglio, et al. This application is related to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/108,781, entitled “DECISION TREE SYSTEMS AND METHODS” (Attorney Docket No. 020375-008200US), filed on Mar. 27, 2002 by Mark G. Arthus, et al., and to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/108,575, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING CREDIT RISK” (Attorney Docket No. 020375-008500US), filed on Mar. 27, 2002 by Michael L. Sgaraglio, and to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/108,934, entitled “MERCHANT ACTIVATION TRACKING SYSTEMS AND METHODS” (Attorney Docket No. 020375-023900US), filed on Mar. 27, 2002 by Michael L. Sgaraglio, et al., and to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/108,785, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING COLLECTIONS RELATING TO MERCHANT ACCOUNTS” (Attorney Docket No. 020375-008300US), filed on Mar. 3, 2002 by Mark G. Arthus, et al., and to co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/322,135, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRONICALLY MONITORING FRAUDULENT ACTIVITY” (Attorney Docket No. 020375-008410), filed on Dec. 17, 2002 by Mark G. Arthus, et al., which is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/108,948, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO MONITOR CREDIT FRAUD” (Attorney Docket No. 020375-008400US), filed on Mar. 27, 2002 by Mark G. Arthus, et al., which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.  
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] This invention relates generally to the field of financial transactions, and in particular to the establishment of business relationships with entities that may process transactions on behalf of service providers. More specifically, in one specific aspect the invention relates to the underwriting process for potential money transfer service providers.  
       [0003] Financial transactions involving the use of presentation instruments, such as credit cards, play an important role in today&#39;s economy. A typical credit card transaction proceeds by extracting account information from the credit card, typically using a point of sale device at a merchant location, and submitting the account information along with a requested payment amount to a processing system. Such a processing system may involve the merchant&#39;s bank, a credit card association, such as VISA or MasterCard, and the issuer&#39;s bank as is known in the art.  
       [0004] Hence, in order to process a credit card transaction, a merchant must typically establish an account with a processing organization. Because the processing organization takes on certain financial risks when agreeing to process a merchant&#39;s transactions, an application and underwriting process typically takes place before an account is opened. For example, an account may be established by first requiring the merchant to fill out a credit application. The credit application is then sent to an underwriter who reviews information in the application to determine whether the merchant would be a suitable client. If so, the account is established, and the merchant may begin accepting at least certain types of credit cards as payment for their goods or services.  
       [0005] Currently, much of the application and underwriting process may be both manual and paper intensive. As such, the process for opening an account may be inefficient and time consuming. Further, inconsistent decisions on the suitability of a given merchant may vary from underwriter to underwriter. Still further, such a system suffers from being unable to suitably monitor the effectiveness of the sales force gathering the application information.  
       [0006] Of course, other business relationships also require an application and underwriting process prior to initiation. For example, money transfer service providers typically enlist the assistance of merchants or other business entities to handle the receipt of money from and disbursement of money to customers. However, before an entity is accepted to provide money transfer services, the entity typically must apply and be accepted by a central service provider.  
       [0007] Hence, this invention is related to ways to improve the merchant account initiation and underwriting process. The invention is also related to ways to track such accounts, once established. In another aspect the present invention is related to ways to improve the process for underwriting and initiating relationships with entities applying to provide money transfer services.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] The invention provides various methods for establishing credit services with merchants, and to evaluate how accounts are being serviced. The methods may conveniently be implemented over a computer network, such as the Internet, and may use hardware and software that are configured to operate in a network environment as is known in the art. For example, the invention may employ one or more server computers that access one or more data storage devices, such as databases, to store and process the information. Essentially any type of computer that may communicate over a network may be used to access and display this information as is known in the art.  
       [0009] In one exemplary embodiment, credit services with a merchant may be established by receiving at a server computer application information on a merchant applying for a credit service, and storing the application information in a database. To underwrite the account, a credit investigator may send a request to the server computer to view at least some of the application information. Upon receipt of the request, the requested information is sent to the credit investigator from the server computer. Hence, the application and underwriting process may all occur in a web based environment to provide easy and convenient access to the application information. Further, the application information may be stored in electronic form, thereby eliminating the need for paper files, and providing for easy and convenient access to historical data.  
       [0010] Upon review of the application information, the credit investigator may send various underwriting information to the server computer. For example, if all is in order, the investigator may send an approval to establish credit services. To assist in the underwriting process, the server computer may calculate credit risk information based on the application information, and send the credit risk information to the credit investigator. In one aspect, the credit investigator may change certain parameters used in the risk calculations, and then have the server computer recalculate the risk information. In this way, the credit investigator may evaluate various “what-if” type scenarios based on modified financial information.  
       [0011] In another aspect, the method provides a review feature to evaluate whether all required application information has been transmitted to the server computer. Based on such a request, the server computer may send a document containing the list of application information that has not been received. Such application information may be classified into various categories, such as merchant information, visitation information, landlord information, bank references, supplier references, principal references, sales information, account information, and the like.  
       [0012] In still another aspect, the application information may be input by sending an application information form from the server computer to an application computer. The application form is displayed on the application computer and includes various fields for entering the application information using an entry device. In this way, the application information may easily be input and stored in the database for use by the underwriter. Conveniently, the application form may be displayed in tabular form on the application computer. In this way, selection of each tab causes the server computer to render a more specific application form on the application computer.  
       [0013] Various security features may also be provided. For example, authentication information may be required from the credit investigator before being able to view the application information. Further, those inputting the application information may be prevented from accessing credit risk and underwriting evaluation information.  
       [0014] In one particular aspect, the method may be used to facilitate servicing of an account. For example, for each merchant record, information may be sent to the server computer on how the account is being serviced. Conveniently, this information may be elicited by displaying data fields on the user&#39;s computer and requesting the user to enter the data showing how the accounts are being services. This information may then be stored at the server and various reports may be generated showing how the account is being serviced. For instance, reports may be generated showing whether an account has actually been activated, approval rates for the accounts, accounts that have been declined and void, and the like. Also, a variety of aging reports may be generated to show the time required to perform each step of the servicing process.  
       [0015] The server computer may be configured to identify certain groups of merchants as requested by a user and to generate a document containing information needed to generate letters to such merchants. For example, the server computer may be used to identify merchants having certain common business practices so that a marketing mailer may be sent to such merchants. As another example, merchants may be identified that need to receive a welcome letter after signing up for a service.  
       [0016] Once the account is opened, the server computer may also send configuration information to a financial transaction system for configuration of a merchant account. In this way, once a merchant accepts a credit card as payment, a back end system may be properly configured to process the transaction.  
       [0017] In another aspect, a method of processing an application relating to money transfer services includes receiving at a host computer system an electronic transmission from an application computing device. The electronic transmission includes an application having application information relating to an applicant. The method may include electronically evaluating the application at the host computer system, requesting a report relating to the applicant, and receiving the report at the host computer system. The method also may include electronically evaluating the report based on certain criteria to produce a decision as to whether to accept the applicant. The method also may include transmitting a decision relating to the applicant to the application computing device. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for establishing credit services with merchants according to the invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating one method for entering merchant application information according to the invention.  
     [0020]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating one method for underwriting a merchant application according to the invention.  
     [0021]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for servicing an activated merchant account according to the invention.  
     [0022]FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a search page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0023]FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a merchant business information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0024]FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a quality control information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0025]FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a visitation information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0026]FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a landlord information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0027]FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a bank reference information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0028]FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a supplier reference information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0029]FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a principal signer information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0030]FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a sales date information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0031]FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of a new account information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0032]FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a card type information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0033]FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of a review application page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0034]FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of a risk analysis page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0035]FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment of a decision information page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0036]FIG. 19 illustrates one embodiment of an account activation tracking page rendered on a display screen according to the invention.  
     [0037]FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating one method for processing applications for applicants applying to provide money transfer services. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0038] The invention provides various systems and methods for establishing credit services. Such credit services may be established with essentially any type of person, entity, organization, business, or the like that wishes to take payments for goods or services in the form of a credit, and, for convenience of discussion, are generally referred to herein as “merchants”. Such merchants may process a credit transaction based on an account identifier presented at the time of payment. The account identifier is used to identify the account to which the credit will eventually be posted. In many cases, the account identifier is provided on some type of presentation instrument, such as credit card, debit card, smart card, stored value card, or the like. Conveniently, the account identifier may be read from a point of sale device, such as those described in copending U.S. application Nos. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/634,901, entitled “POINT OF SALE PAYMENT SYSTEM,” filed Aug. 9, 2000 by Randy J. Templeton et al., which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Prov. Appl. No. 60/147,899, entitled “INTEGRATED POINT OF SALE DEVICE,” filed Aug. 9, 1999 by Randy Templeton et al, the complete disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. However, the account identifier may be obtained in other ways, such as by visual inspection of the presentation instrument, by telephone, over the Internet, and the like.  
     [0039] The user account information is transmitted to a credit processing service that approves and processes the transaction information and provides payment to the merchant. As is known in the art, various other organizations may also participate in the transaction in order to bill the user for the transaction, including the issuing bank, the merchant&#39;s bank, a credit card association, and the like. The credit processing service may also handle “charge backs”, e.g. when the card holder requests a refund and the account is credited. One example of a credit processing service is the service provided by First Data Corporation, Greenwood Village, Colo.  
     [0040] The invention provides various techniques and systems to facilitate the gathering of merchant information associated with an application by the merchant for credit services. For example, such application information may be entered into a computer and transmitted to central computer over a network. The information may be transmitted over a wide variety of networks, such as the Internet, wide area networks, local area networks, wireless networks, and the like. Conveniently, the techniques may be implemented using one or more server computers and associated databases. Examples of servers and databases that may be used include a DELL 4700 server and a MS FoxPro database.  
     [0041] Essentially any type of computer that may communicate over a network may be used to implement the invention. For example, such computers may include traditional personal computers, personal digital assistants, and the like. Such computers may include a processing system, interfaces, and appropriate software to display documents transmitted over a network, such as internet browser software.  
     [0042] To underwrite an application, a credit investigator or credit officer may electronically access the application information. In one feature of the invention, the server computer may be configured to assign investigation of the applications between a group of investigators such that the workload between the investigators remains about the same. For example, as the applications are received, the server computer may assign them to investigators having a smaller number of applications in the investigation que. The server computer may monitor the queues to ensure that the workload is generally evenly balanced between the investigators.  
     [0043] In another feature, the invention may perform various credit risk calculations to facilitate the underwriting process. These calculations may be intuitive risk models that are based on industry risk standards, or may be customized risk models. In another feature, the invention may require the investigator to consider various information before approval of the application. Conveniently, such a process may utilize a decision tree to ensure each application is underwritten in a thorough and consistent manner. Examples of decision trees that may be used are described in previously incorporated U.S. application Ser. No. 10/108,781.  
     [0044] Once the application is approved, configuration information may be electronically sent to the credit processing system so that the merchant may begin making transactions. Merely by way of example, regular batch updates may sent to various credit processing computers, such as those used by First Data Resources, Omaha, Nebr.  
     [0045] The invention may be used to follow up on how the account is being serviced, including whether there have been any merchant contacts, whether the necessary logistical measures have been taken, whether the service has actually be activated, and the like. Conveniently, this information may be elicited over a network by generating a form that is displayed on the user&#39;s computer. This form may have various data fields that need to be completed in order to complete servicing of the account. The form may conveniently be ordered according to how the servicing agent should be servicing the account. For instance, the form may ask whether a welcome letter was sent, whether a welcome kit was received, whether the primary bank has been contacted, and the like. The input data is stored electronically so that various reports may be generated to summarize the servicing and usage activity. Such reports may be static (pre-defined) or ad hoc as requested by the user. Further, the reports may be supplied to the user in a variety of formats to permit easy printing, visualization and/or manipulation of the data in the reports.  
     [0046] Another feature is that the server computer may be used to identify groups of merchants that may be contacted for certain reasons, such as for direct mailings, for targeted advertising and the like. Further, once identified, the server computer may send information back to a user computer with the information to be supplied to the merchant. For example, the server computer may generate welcome letters that are sent to the user&#39;s computer.  
     [0047] Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a system  10  that may be used to establish credit services will be described. In so doing, it will be appreciated that other arrangements may be used, and the invention is not intended to be limited to only the system shown in FIG. 1. System  10  transmits data using a network  12 , such as the Internet. A server computer  14  having an associated database  16  is connected to network  12 . Residing on server computer  14  are various applications that permit electronic documents to be transmitted and received over network  12 . For example, server computer  14  may transmit web pages to various application computers  18  to elicit merchant application information needed to establish new accounts. The information transmitted back from application computers  18  may be stored in database  16  so that historical records may be electronically maintained.  
     [0048] Also coupled to network  12  is one or more credit underwriting computers  20  that may be used to access the application information stored in database  16 . Further, server computer  14  may be used to calculate various credit risks based on the information in the application. This information may also be transmitted to underwriting computer  20  for visualization by the underwriting. Further, the data used for the calculations may be modified at underwriting computer  20  so that server computer  14  may generate revised risk calculations based on the modified data.  
     [0049] One or more tracking computers  22  may also be coupled to network  12  to facilitate servicing of a new account. For example, server computer  14  may generate and send a welcome letter to tracking computer  22 . This may be printed using a printer  24  and then sent to the new merchant. Server computer  14  may also generate a wide variety of reports on how the account is being serviced or used by the merchant. This may be viewed using tracking computer  22  and also printed at printer  24 .  
     [0050] Once an account is approved, configuration information may be sent from server computer  14  to a credit processing system computer  26 . This configuration information is used to correlate transactions with a given merchant, and the merchant&#39;s bank so that proper processing may occur. Processing system computer  26  may be a main frame type computer that receives an processes credit card transactions from a wide variety of merchants as is known in the art.  
     [0051]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating one method for gathering and storing merchant application information when applying for credit services. Initially, the user logs into his or her application computer as illustrated in step  30 . Conveniently, user name and password information may be required before login will be permitted. Once successfully logged in, the user may be provided with an application form that is displayed on the display screen. The user may drill down to obtain more specific information by selecting various icons or tabs displayed on the display screen. Conveniently, the application may include various data fields that are labeled where the application information may be entered using conventional data entry devices, such as keyboards, pointing devices, and the like. In some cases, the user may be required to enter into certain fields before proceeding to other fields, or some fields may simply be marked as required fields. As one option, the user may be provided with information that a field was entered incorrectly, or not at all, so that this data may be corrected or entered before proceeding to the next part of the process. At step  32 , the merchant application information is entered into the form and is then transmitted over the network to the server computer as shown in step  34 . The server computer in turns stores the merchant application information in a database as illustrated in step  36 .  
     [0052] In this way, the merchant application information may be stored electronically at a central location. Hence, anyone needing access to the application information may visualize the information simply logging into the server computer. By computerizing the application information, safeguards may be put in place to ensure that all necessary information is submitted. For example, if certain critical data fields are not entered, a flag or other indication may be presented to the user requesting that this information be submitted. Similar flags may also be presented if the data is not in the correct format. In this manner, a complete electronic record may be created for each merchant applying for credit services. By storing the file electronically, the data may be more easily accessed and the chances for losing loose paperwork in a paper file is eliminated.  
     [0053]FIG. 3 illustrates a method for underwriting a merchant application that has previously been stored in a database. In step  38 , the underwriter logs into his or her computer, typically entering a user name and password. An authentication process may be invoked to ensure that the underwriter has authorization to access the merchant application information. When successfully logged in, the underwriter may request to review the merchant application information as shown in step  40 . Conveniently, the underwriter may perform a simple search to locate a desired application. Upon receipt of the request, the server computer may send the information to the underwriter&#39;s computer which may then be displayed on the display screen.  
     [0054] As shown in step  42 , the underwriter may also request credit risk information relating to the merchant. This request is transmitted to the server computer that may perform one or more credit risk evaluations based on the information in the application. The evaluations may be based on industry standard risk models as well as customized risk models. This credit risk information is then transmitted back to the underwriter&#39;s computer for evaluation. In some cases, the credit investigator may wish to perform various “what if” scenarios by varying the parameters used in the risk calculations to determine how the calculations will vary. For example, the credit investigator may desire to evaluate the changes in risk if the merchant&#39;s sales increase or decrease, if the merchant&#39;s time to deliver the goods or services increases or decreases, or the like. The changes are submitted to the server computer for recalculation of the credit risks. This information is then transmitted back to the underwriter&#39;s computer.  
     [0055] The credit investigator may also be provided with a list of various questions that the credit underwriter should answer before giving a final decision. These questions may optionally be presented in a decision tree form as described in previously-incorporated U.S. application Ser. No. 10/109,198. In this way, each account is processed in the same manner to assure uniformity in the evaluation process. Once the underwriter has made his or her decision, the underwriter information is entered and transmitted back to the server computer  10  as illustrated in steps  44  and  46 . This information is then stored in the database. Further, account configuration information may be transmitted to a credit processing system so that the backend processing system may be configured to handle credit card transactions from the merchant.  
     [0056] Hence, the invention provides a way for a credit investigator to easily and conveniently underwrite an account by simply accessing an electronic file that was previously created and stored in a database. Once the underwriter has made the decision, this information may be transmitted back to a server computer and stored in the database so that the account may be activated and serviced.  
     [0057]FIG. 4 illustrates a method for servicing an approved merchant account. As shown in step  48 , a servicing agent may initially log in to gain access to the server computer. Depending on the level of security authorization, the service representative may access various information on the account. Further, as shown in step  50  the service agent may request the generation of a welcome letter to the merchant. This letter may be transmitted back to the service representative&#39;s computer and printed out and then mailed or faxed to the new merchant. Optionally, the service agent may request the generation of other types of letters as well. For example, a letter may be requested that contains marketing information directed toward a certain group of merchants. As shown in step  52 , various other types of account servicing information may be requested. For example, the service representative may evaluate whether the merchant has received training, proper equipment, such as a point of sale device, and the like. Also, information may be provided as to whether the account is currently being used. Further various static or ad hoc reports may be generated to show this type of information in summary form for one or more merchants.  
     [0058] The servicing information may be entered into the server computer by a service representative each time the account is serviced. For example, if a service representative has visited the merchant and provided training, this information may be transmitted to a server computer and then stored in the database. In this way, a manager may evaluate how an account is being serviced.  
     [0059] FIGS.  5 - 19  illustrate various pages that may be displayed on display screens according to the invention. The pages of FIGS.  5 - 19  may be generated by a server computer and then transmitted over a network, such as the internet to various access computers. These pages may be used to elicit merchant account information, to assist in the underwriting process and to follow up on servicing the account. In describing the pages of FIGS.  5 - 19 , it will be appreciated that the invention is not intended to be limited to this specific implementation that may be implemented in other ways as well.  
     [0060] To gain access to the server computer, the user may enter in a website address of the server computer. Typically, the initial page will be a login page having fields for entering username and password information. If authenticated, the user is taken to a home page which may list various icons that may be selected to take the user to various other pages at the website. One example of such a home page  60  that may be rendered on the user&#39;s display screen is illustrated in FIG. 5. Home page  60  is configured as a search page that permits the user to search for a certain merchant application. Home page  60  may also include various icons to permit the user to access other features of the web site. For example, page  60  may include a reports icon  61  to permit various reports to be generated, a security icon  62  to designate security settings for various users, and a point of sale provider icon  63  to identify various point of sale equipment providers for tracking purposes. Various other icons  64  may also be included to permit the user to jump to a first merchant account, to a previous merchant account, to the next merchant account and to the last merchant account. Further, icons may be provided for downloading the merchant account information on the user&#39;s computer as well as a print icon for printing the application information.  
     [0061] As shown in FIG. 5, a wide variety of data fields  65  are provided for entering search information. One or more of these data fields may have information input in order to search for one or more merchant applications. If a match is found, it may be displayed at the bottom of the web page as shown. When one of the listed accounts is selected, a page is rendered having the account information. An example of such a page is illustrated in FIG. 6 as described hereinafter. Examples of search fields that may be used include a merchant number, merchant name, “doing business as” name, address, quality control status, MasterCard merchant number, MasterCard code, total risk, days aging, status, product, point of sale provider, annual credit sales, business phone, federal tax ID number, sales region, sales channel, sales person ID, credit officer, credit investigator and the like.  
     [0062] Instead of searching for an existing merchant application, the user may select an “add new” icon  66  to add a new merchant account. When the “add new” icon is selected, the user is taken to a blank application form as illustrated in FIG. 6 where the merchant application information may be entered.  
     [0063]FIG. 6 illustrates a home page for entering and viewing merchant account information. Conveniently, various tabs are presented on the page and may be selected to follow the user to different pages where different categories of information may be entered. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a merchant tab  68  has been selected to produce a merchant business information page  70 . Page  70  includes various data fields  72  relating to business information on the merchant that may be entered into the application. The data fields marked with an asterisk indicate that the information is required in order to complete the application. Other quality control features may also be provided, such as by producing a notification if the entered information is incorrect or has not been entered. As shown, the business information includes a merchant number, a MasterCard merchant number, business name, business legal name, business address, business phone, customer service phone, business type, federal tax ID number, language preference, whether same day funding is requested, date business started, date contract signed, date of AIS setup, date welcome package sent, date MPA imaged, date of POS confirmation, email address, website address and the like.  
     [0064] Selection of a quality control icon  78  produces a quality control information page  80  on the user&#39;s display screen. Quality control information page  80  displays various errors that have been detected when entering in the merchant information. If an error is detected, it is flagged by marking an error box  82  on page  80 . Examples of errors that may occur may include illegible writing, missing names, missing paper work, missing business name and address, missing phone or fax number, missing contact names, missing real names, missing d.b.a. names and the like. Hence, quality control information page  80  permits the user to quickly visualize whether information is missing and/or incorrect. In this way, a quality control process is in place to insure that each application contains the necessary information for underwriting.  
     [0065] Selection of a visitation tab  88  produces a visitation information page  90  as illustrated in FIG. 8. Page  90  includes various data fields  92  to elicit information as to whether a merchant has actually visited certain locations to obtain various information needed to process the application. For example, page  90  may include a field asking for information on what the business sells. Other fields may relate to the external facility, such as its zone, location, vicinity, seasons, building revels, building condition, where occupied by merchant, remaining floors occupied by others, advertising name display and the like. Internal facility questions may be also asked, such as condition of equipment, merchandise displays, square footage and the like. Operation environment questions may also be asked, such as the number of registers, number of employees, whether the building is leased, the refund policy and the like.  
     [0066] When a landlord tab  98  is selected, a landlord information page  100  is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 9. Landlord information page  100  elicits various information on the owner of the property where the merchant does business. Hence, page  100  may include questions asking whether the merchant owns the property. If not, fields  102  are provided for the landlord, the landlord&#39;s contact information and the like.  
     [0067] Selection of a bank references tab  108  produces a bank reference information page  110  as illustrated in FIG. 10. This page includes data fields  112  to elicit information on the bank used by the merchant. For example, the data fields may include the bank&#39;s name, contact information, account number and the like.  
     [0068] Shown in FIG. 11 is a supplier reference information page  120  that is produced when the supplier references tab  122  is selected. Page  120  elicits various information on suppliers of the merchant. For example, for each supplier data fields  124  may be provided for the supplier&#39;s name, supplier contact information, the supplier&#39;s products or services and the like.  
     [0069] Selection of the principals icon  128  produces a principal signer information page  130  as illustrated in FIG. 12. Page  130  has data fields  132  for eliciting information on various principal signers on the merchant account. For example, page  130  may include data fields for eliciting information such as the name of the authorized signer, title, address, social security number, date of birth, whether the guarantee is a personal guarantee, whether there is a signed contract, the percentage of ownership, and the like.  
     [0070]FIG. 13 illustrates a sales data information page  140  that is rendered a display screen when the sales data tab  142  is selected. Sales data page  140  is employed to gather information on the nature in the amount of sales by the merchant. The sales data page  140  may include fields  144  for collecting information such as the name of the product, the MasterCard code, the total annual sales of the merchant, the total annual credit card sales of the merchant, the average credit card transaction amount, the discount rate and the like. Further, various business procedure information may be elicited, such as the breakdown of credit card payments, e.g., on the internet, mail order, telephone order, in-store and the like. Further, the timing of delivery may be elicited in terms of numbers of days.  
     [0071]FIG. 14 illustrates a new account information page  150  that is rendered when the account info tab  152  is selected. Page  150  is employed to gather information needed to configure the back end processing system once the account is created. Information that may be collected using data fields  154  includes the legal name, business name, business address, corporation address, risk level, phone number, contact name, federal tax ID number, sales responsibility, assessment codes, county codes, deposit type, chain code, merchant type, EPC type and cutoff and the like. Once the account is created, this information may be transmitted from the server computer to a main frame computer that handles the back end processing.  
     [0072] When the card types tab  158  is selected, a card type information page  160  is rendered as illustrated in FIG. 15. Page  160  elicits information on the types of credit cards that the merchant wishes to accept. With page  160 , the merchant may select from a list of credit card types and enter other information such as the card fee amount, other volume percentage and the like.  
     [0073] Once the application information has been completed, the review tab  168  may be selected to render a review application page  170  as illustrated in FIG. 16. If any required fields have not been completed, they will be listed on page  170  along with the reason for the rejection.  
     [0074] Each of the fields may include a hypertext link  172  so that when selected it will take the user back to the appropriate page where the information is missing. In this way, the application may be quickly reviewed for completeness. Similarly, when a credit officer or investigator eventually investigates the application, the investigator may also access page  170  to determine if any information is missing.  
     [0075] Another page that is accessible by a creditor officer or investigator is a risk assessment page  180  as illustrated in FIG. 17. Page  180  is rendered when a risk icon  182  is selected. Because of the security settings, the credit investigator will have access to page  180  while a typical salesman entering application information will not. This assessment page  180  displays to the credit officer a summary of sales data as extracted from the application information. For example, page  180  may include fields  184  having a listing of the product name, total annual sales of the business, total annual credit card sales, average credit card transaction amount, discount rate and the like. Further, page  180  will display various risk data  186  that was previously calculated by the server computer and transmitted to the credit investigator&#39;s computer over the network. The risk data includes information on: credit timeliness (“CR timeliness”) that is the amount of time it takes a merchant to apply a credit to a consumer, CD ratio that is a ratio of chargebacks by consumers to totals sales (CB/Sales), credit ratio (“CR ratio”) that is a ratio of credits to total sales, NDX days that is the number of days from consumer charge to delivery of goods, NDX percent that is the percentage of sales that occur within the NDX days range, CB risks that are a calculated level of consumer chargeback request risk, CR risks that are a calculated level of consumer credit request risk, normal risks that are CB risk plus CR risk, NDX risks that are sales multiplied by NDX percent, other risks (such as additional risk that is manually added by an analyst), and total risks that is equal to all risks that are totaled.  
     [0076] Hence, using page  180 , a credit investigator may quickly assess risks associated with establishing an account with a given merchant. Further, the credit investigator may vary the data in the fields to see how the credit risk calculations will vary based upon the changes. In this way, the credit investigator has latitude to determine how the risk of the merchant will vary based on various conditions, such as change in total sales, a change in the discount rate and the like.  
     [0077]FIG. 18 illustrates a decision information page  190  that may be accessed by the credit investigator when underwriting the account using icon  192 . Decision information page  190  includes various fields  194  that must be completed by the credit investigator when underwriting the account. In this way, a mechanism is in place to ensure that each account is treated similarly and that all critical information is evaluated. For example, the decision information may ask the credit investigator questions such as whether the business phone is verified, whether the federal tax ID number provided, whether the business starting date is provided, whether the business type is provided, whether the website is verified, whether the site has been visited, whether the bank references have been called, whether the supplier references have been called, whether the application was signed by an officer, whether there is a personal guarantee, whether there is a personal credit report, whether the account has over one million dollars in volume, whether financial statements were provided and the like. As an alternative, a decision tree may be provided to the credit investigator to step the investigator through the analysis. Examples of such decision trees are described in previously incorporated U.S. application Ser. No. 10/108,781.  
     [0078] Although not shown, it will be appreciated that other tabs may be provided as well so that other features may be accessed. For example, a reassign tab may be provided to reassign the application to another credit officer or investigator. This information may only accessed by a manager who may enter the name of a new credit officer or investigator. This information may be stored in a database so that historical information is provided on the credit investigators who have accessed and investigated the account.  
     [0079] As previously described in connection with FIG. 5, reports icon  61  may be selected to produce various reports on the account. For example, various reports, such as month to day reports and year to day reports may be provided. The names of these reports may be listed and may comprise a hypertext link that may be selected to generate the report. Examples of reports that may be included are approval rate reports, aging reports, receipt reports, pending reports, reviewed reports, approved reports, declined reports, voided reports, approved authorization sheets, approved keying sheets and the like.  
     [0080] When the security icon of page  60  selected, a page may be rendered listing the names of all people authorized to access the server. Further, each individual may be classified by a user type which indicates the pages to which the person may have access. For example, the user may be a sales person, credit officer, credit investigator, sales manager, supervisor, salesperson, data entry person and the like. Certain individuals may be provided with authorization to vary the user type in order to permit different levels of access to the web pages.  
     [0081] The invention further provides various maintenance and tracking features to evaluate how an account is being serviced once it has been approved. For example, the user may access a page to generate welcome letters to the merchant. Conveniently, the user may enter a date range to list accounts that have been approved within the specified date range. These may then be selected to have the server computer automatically calculate a welcome letter based on information in the application. This letter is transmitted to the user&#39;s computer to be printed and mailed.  
     [0082] The user may also perform a search for certain accounts to see how they are being serviced. To do so, the user may utilize a search screen similar to that of FIG. 5. Once the search has been formed, a displayed account may be selected to render a tracking page  200  as illustrated in FIG. 19. Various data fields  202  are displayed for eliciting information on how the account is being serviced. For example, questions may be asked on how the account is being serviced, such as whether the merchant has received a welcome kit, the date the welcome kit was received, whether the merchant has contacted the primary bank, the date the primary bank was contacted, any reason why the bank was not contacted, whether the primary bank has spoken to the merchant, whether the primary bank has all necessary information to process the switch, the date of primary bank confirmation, any reason for not receiving a confirmation, whether the FDLCC has received confirmation that the account will be switched, the date of the primary bank sign off confirmation, any reason for not receiving a sign off confirmation, whether there are any general comments, and the like. These data fields may be reviewed at any time to evaluate how the account is being serviced. In this way, a system is in place to monitor service activation to increase the number of merchants that have enrolled and begin using the service. For example, the user may transmit a query to view the merchants that have reached a certain service level, e.g. all merchants that have received a welcome letter. Further, the times that each of the serving steps were performed may be visualized.  
     [0083] Similar to FIG. 5, a security icon may be selected to assign security levels to each of the users. When the security icon is selected, a list of the desired users may be displayed. When one of the users is selected, a security edit page may be rendered on the user&#39;s computer. The edit page may contain various data fields relating to both user information and salesperson information. For example, user ID and password information may be changed. Also, the type of user may be modified, e.g., salesperson, credit officer, supervisor, etc. Based on the type of user, different areas of the website may be accessed. For the salesperson, information on their code, region, sales channel, phone, and the like may be modified.  
     [0084] Reports may also be provided with the tracking feature. Such reports may include aging reports, approval rates reports, as well as reports on applications declined and voided. The aging reports may list a variety of aging categories, such as the number of days from signing until receiving the application, from receiving the application to approval, from approval to AIS setup, from AIS setup to receiving a welcome kit, from receiving the welcome kit to being contact by the primary bank, from being contacted by the primary bank to being confirmed, from being confirmed to being activated, from being signed to being activated, from being approved to being activated, from being welcomed to being activated, and the like. Further, this information may be broken down into regions, and averages may be provided for each sales region. Other filtering techniques may be used, such as by month, by sales ID numbers, buy the primary bank (POS provider), and the like.  
     [0085] The approval rate reports may list approval rates for various categories, such as the rate of those approved for service, declined, voided and the like. These may be broken down into various categories, such as by sales region. Also, these reports may be filtered by month, by sales ID, and the like. Other types of reports include a listing of merchant applications that have been approved, by month to date, year to date, and the like. Similar reports may be produced for those applications that were declined and voided.  
     [0086]FIG. 20 illustrates a method  204  of underwriting other types of applications, such as, applications relating to money transfer services, although the method  204  illustrated in FIG. 20 is not limited to these types of services. Other types of financial services, especially those that involve the extension of credit, may benefit from the teachings of the present invention. In the case of money transfer services, entities such as retail establishments may desire to provide money transfer services. Money transfer services may include, among other things, the sale and redemption of money orders, same day check cashing services, bill payment services, “wire” transfers of money, and the like. Money transfer services may involve a network of money transfer service providers that may be related or unrelated. A central service provider may function to integrate the various service providers. An example of this type of service is that provided by Western Union of Englewood, Colo.  
     [0087] Before a new entity/applicant may become part of a network of money transfer service providers, a central service provider may desire to underwrite the applicant to determine its suitability to provide such services. The underwriting process may involve a review of the applicant&#39;s creditworthiness. The process begins with taking an application at operation  206 .  
     [0088] An individual, such as a sales person or other representative of a central entity, may contact a merchant or other individual or business entity to solicit its interest in providing money transfer services. The contact may be by phone, in person, or by other means. Of course, the entity may initiate the process by contacting a sales person or other representative of the central entity. The representative gathers information from the applicant and enters the information into an application. As previously described, the application process may involve the representative accessing an electronic form from a host computer system. The representative enters the information gathered from the applicant into the electronic form using a computing device. As with the initial contact, the information gathering process may be accomplished in person, by phone, or by other means. Once sufficient information is gathered, the application is transmitted to the host computer system at operation  208 . During the information gathering process, the representative may make an initial determination of the scope of the underwriting process.  
     [0089] According to this example of the present invention, the underwriting process may involve full underwriting or abbreviated underwriting, although other embodiments may include other classifications of underwriting. In this example, abbreviated underwriting is appropriate when similar applicants have exhibited success as money transfer service providers. Criteria upon which similarities may be judged include industry, longevity, gross revenues, customer traffic, and the like. For example, grocery stores have historically demonstrated success as money transfer service providers because of the number of customers that visit store locations, the amount of money that circulates through the business, their typically desirable operating locations, and the like. Full underwriting may be appropriate when an applicant or its industry does not have a business track record, especially with respect to money transfer services, or for other reasons. The central entity may provide its enrollment representatives with criteria by which to make preliminary judgments as to the scope of underwriting required, and the representative may indicate his preliminary judgment in the application.  
     [0090] Upon receipt of the application, the host computer system, at operation  210 , may automatically request reports relating to the applicant and its industry. Such reports may be requested from external and/or internal sources. External reports may include, for example, credit reports from credit reporting agencies, business reports, such as a “Dun and Bradstreet” report, and/or the like. Internal reports may include historical performance reports relating to how similar entities within the applicant&#39;s industry have performed at money transfer services. These reports may include profitability projections, bankruptcy predictions, and the like. Many other examples are possible.  
     [0091] At operation  212 , the host computer system may reevaluate the scope of underwriting that is appropriate, and may override the representative&#39;s initial judgment, if appropriate. If abbreviated underwriting is appropriate, the process continues at operation  214 .  
     [0092] At operation  214 , the host computer system attempts to make a decision as to the suitability of the applicant. The suitability may be evaluated using predetermined criteria. For example, if the applicant&#39;s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code is acceptable, the applicant has been in business an acceptable period of time, and the applicant&#39;s credit score is above a minimum acceptable level, then the host computer system may be able to approve the application automatically. Of course, other criteria may be used.  
     [0093] In some embodiments, the information may be reduced to a point system that results in a score for the applicant. If the score is above an acceptable level, the applicant may be approved. If the score is below an unacceptable level, the applicant may be rejected. If the score is within a range, the application may be referred from abbreviated underwriting to full underwriting. This decision process is illustrated by operations  216  and  218 . Many other examples are possible.  
     [0094] If the applicant is approved, the host computer system may transmit an approval at operation  220 . If the applicant is rejected, the host computer system may transmit a rejection at operation  222 . In some embodiments, the representative may receive the approval or rejection during the interview process, even if the interview is conducted at the applicant&#39;s location. Thus, the representative may inform the applicant of the decision contemporaneously with the interview process. The decision may be provided within, for example, one hour, five minutes, or even within one minute. This also may be the case if the representative is interviewing the applicant via a phone or other communications connection. The rapid turnaround is advantageous because the representative then may gather additional information from the applicant in the same interview process, as indicated at operation  223 . The additional information may include information that was not necessary for the application process but is necessary or helpful in the ongoing account maintenance process or could include additional information that is needed for full underwriting that was not necessary for abbreviated underwriting. Thus, at operation  224 , the additional information, together with information from the application process may be transmitted to an account maintenance system for ongoing maintenance, which is indicated by operation  226 .  
     [0095] The full underwriting process may begin at operation  228 . As previously described, with respect to this example of the present invention, full underwriting may be required because the applicant was not eligible for abbreviated underwriting or because the applicant could not be approved in abbreviated underwriting. In either case, the application information is stored in a file relating to the applicant at operation  228 . At operation  230 , the application information is transmitted to an underwriter for evaluation. Operation  230  may result from a specific request from an underwriter to transmit the information. Operation  230  and related operations may be performed according to methods previously described herein, for example, the methods of FIGS. 2, 3 and  4 . This may include completing a decision process relating to the application.  
     [0096] The underwriter determines, at operation  232 , whether the applicant may be approved. If so, an approval is transmitted at operation  234 . If not, a rejection is transmitted at operation  236 . Operations  234  and  236  may include sending a letter to the applicant information the applicant of the decision. These operations also may involve notifying a representative, which may be the representative that initiated the application, to collect additional information, which may be accomplished at operation  237 . Once sufficient information is available for ongoing maintenance of the account, the application information, together with the additional information is transmitted to an account maintenance system, as indicated by operation  238 . Thereafter, the account is maintained, as indicated by operation  240 .  
     [0097] Ongoing maintenance of an account (operations  240  and  226 ), according to this example of the present invention relating to money transfer service providers, may include observing the money transfer service activity relating to the account. Such observation may include monitoring the account for potentially fraudulent activity (as described in previously-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/322,135), monitoring the account for changes in the risk to the central service provider, in particular the credit risk, (as described in previously-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/108,575, and collecting past due obligations relating to the account (as described in previously-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/108,785). Ongoing account maintenance also may relate to a number of accounts in aggregate. For example, the central service provider may compile statistics relating to the demographics of the service providers. Ultimately, these statistics may be used in future underwriting operations. The statistics may include bankruptcy predictions, profitability projections, and the like. The statistics may be correlated by industry, geography, entity size, and the like. Thus, the central service provider may improve its ongoing business success through more effective underwriting of applicants.  
     [0098] Although the features of the method  204  of FIG. 20 have been described largely in relation to money transfer services, the present invention is not limited to such services. Other industries and services also may benefit from the teachings herein. For example, the present invention is applicable to the insurance industry, the financial services industry, the mortgage industry, the banking industry, and other similar industries. Thus, the examples used herein should not be considered limiting.  
     [0099] Further, although specific reference was not made to other aspects of the invention described herein with respect to the description of the method  204 , such aspects are nevertheless related. For example, the display screens described with respect to FIGS.  5 - 19 , and similar display screens may be used in the application and underwriting process described with respect to the method  204  of FIG. 20. Further, the method  204  may be implemented in a system according to that described with respect to FIG. 1 or other exemplary system.  
     [0100] The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarity of understanding. However, it will be appreciated that certain modifications and changes may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.