Patent Publication Number: US-2015066740-A1

Title: System and Method of Electronic Exchange for Residential Mortgages

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/289,573, filed Nov. 4, 2011, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/410,526, filed Nov. 5, 2010, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to an exchange system and method for managing a marketplace to buy and sell financial products and, more particularly, to an exchange system and method for trading whole loans on the secondary market. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In a secondary market, loans are exchanged between lenders and investors. Such loans include consumer loan products that are traditional primary residence mortgage loans to consumers. After lenders make loans to consumers, they often try to sell the loan to a mortgage banker. Often, lenders “bulk” sale loans to investors (e.g., mortgage bankers), meaning that those lenders sell several loans (loan pools) at once. 
     Investors buy loan pools from the loan origination (e.g., mortgage bank) or lender, and then pool the assets in such a way as to make them attractive to other investors. Large institutional investors, such as Freddie Mac, insurance companies, large hedge funds, bond funds, and pension funds, buy closed mortgage loans in pools. 
     The loan pools can be securitized and sold to other investors as mortgage-backed securities. The investors may group several pools of loans together into a larger pool, and use the loans collectively as collateral to back securities (i.e., mortgage-backed securities, such as bonds). Typically, these groups of loan pools are valued in the range of $50 million to $1 billion. Because the companies that purchase the loan pools and use them to back securities are personally responsible, there is a great deal of risk involved in these types of transactions. These larger pools can then be offered for sale to buyers on the secondary market. The pools may be comprised of different asset classes mixed together, making it risky for an inventor trying to buy a particular class. For example, non-conforming loans, such as sub-prime mortgages, can be mixed in a loan pool with conforming loans. Traditionally, a pool would be purchased as a whole, forcing investors to purchase some assets they may have little interest in and increasing their overall investment risk. 
     Recently, large loan pools have been separated and marketed as smaller pools of mortgages in order for small and mid-sized investment institutions to participate in the market. However, participation in the secondary loan market is complicated and often involves atypical trading methods due to the pooled nature of the loans. Further, trading platforms for these smaller pools of loans are often difficult to use and offer little functionality typical of institutional trading methods and fail to operate with commodity-like efficiency. 
     Institutionalized selling of loan pools does not address the separate risks of individual closed loans. Loan pools can group individual loans that have similar risk characteristics or completely different risk characteristics, but the pool itself is sold as a single investment, with a single average risk characteristic, leaving little or no transparency as to the risk of the individual loans within the pool. As a result, an investor is unable to screen individual loans and make purchasing decisions based on the risk-level of an individual loan. Furthermore, individual closed loans tend to be illiquid trading instruments. Not surprisingly then, most buying and selling of closed loans is accomplished through private deals between buyers and sellers. 
     Many investors previously content with purchasing loans in the aggregate now recognize the need to scrutinize their debt instrument investments on a loan-by-loan basis, possibly building their own loan pools through individual purchases. However, existing trade exchanges are not structured to support such transactions, nor can limited private networks efficiently accommodate the new demand. Therefore, there exists a need in the financial industry for an efficient trading system to facilitate the buying and selling of individual closed loans, especially closed residential mortgage loans. 
     What is needed is a comprehensive, transparent, and user friendly trading platform to offer functionality that embraces typical institutional trading methods, yet operates with a commodity-like efficiency only possible when transacting individual whole loans. 
     Additionally, a borrower&#39;s ability to quickly and easily shop for credit and financing among multiple lenders is significantly limited by a process that is traditionally dependent on thorough underwriting requiring borrowers to share massive amounts of highly sensitive personal data and documentation in a non-standardized underwriting process. Findings can take days to receive firm offers and since interest rates are part of a fluid marketplace that can change drastically from hour to hour, it is difficult to compare loan terms among different lenders without having fluctuations from when the offer is created. If a borrower desires to get multiple offers, they must submit themselves to an underwriting process among several lenders. Because loan officers are salespeople, borrowers are now subjected to correspondence with multiple salespeople, all who are working to convince the borrower to take their offer. For the foregoing reasons, it is no surprise that a recent survey conducted by Fannie Mae indicated that almost half of all borrowers only meet with one lender and they take the only offer they receive. 
     Moreover, without a means to make lenders accountable for rates posted online, borrowers attempting to find the best credit terms online is not a reliable method in its current form and frustrated borrowers often time find themselves subjected to bait-and-switch rates and terms. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of this invention to provide a system and method for providing a user friendly trading platform for sellers and bidders which embraces typical institutional trading methods and operates with the efficiency that is only possible when transacting individual, whole loans. 
     It is a further object of this invention to create a process and an environment where borrowers can subject themselves to a single underwriting where their salient qualification information can be discovered and shared with prospective lenders anonymously to receive firm offers in a very short amount of time. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for trading individual, whole loans in an open-market forum, comprising: receiving, from at least one seller, a request to sell at least one pool of loans, wherein the at least one pool of loans comprises at least one whole loan; selecting documentation data relating to the at least one pool of loans; determining, based on the documentation data, an estimated tradable range for the at least one whole loan of the at least one pool of loans; inputting, to at least one database connected to at least one server computer, listing data relating to the at least one whole loan of the at least one pool of loans, wherein the listing data comprises at least the estimated tradable range; receiving, from the at least one seller, approval to proceed with an auction to sell the at least one whole loan of the at least one pool of loans; providing, to at least one user through an Internet website, the listing data relating to the at least one whole loan of the at least one pool of loans; and receiving, from at least one user through an Internet website, bids for the at least one whole loan of the at least one pool of loans. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exchange system for trading individual, whole loans in an online marketplace, comprising: communication means for acquiring, from at least one seller, at least one request to sell at least one pool of loans, wherein the at least one pool of loans comprises at least one whole loan; data gathering means for acquiring documentation data relating to the at least one whole loan; a server computer system having at least one processor and at least one data storage unit, wherein the server computer is connected to at least one public or private network, the server computer configured to: receive data representing an estimated tradable range for the at least one whole loan, wherein the estimated tradable range is calculated from the documentation data; transmit, to the at least one seller, the data representing an estimated tradable range; receive, from the at least one seller, an approval to proceed with sale of the at least one pool of loans; make available to remote bidders, through the at least one public or private network, listing data comprising data relating to the at least one whole loan; receive, from at least one remote bidder, at least one bid for at least one whole loan; and determine, for each of the at least one whole loan, a winning bidder based on the at least one bid received from the at least one remote bidder. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing anonymous credit qualification and price negotiation, the method comprising: receiving, at a server computer, at least one application for at least one borrower, the at least one application comprising qualification data relating to the at least one borrower; supplementing the at least one application with third party data relating to the at least one borrower; creating, for each of the at least one borrower, a complete borrower profile comprising information relating to each of the at least one borrower; and creating, for each of the at least one borrower, a universal borrower profile, wherein the universal borrower profile comprises anonymous information selected from the complete borrower profile associated with each of the at least one borrower. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the exchange system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram for listing items of the exchange system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram for the sales process of the exchange system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a flow diagram for the registration process of the exchange system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flow diagram for the buyer process of the exchange system of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrates user interfaces for the exchange system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates a flow diagram for the loan realignment service sale of the exchange system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a flow diagram for the loan realignment service sale of the exchange system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7C  illustrates a flow diagram for the loan realignment service sale of the exchange system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a user interface for the debt marketplace of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a flow diagram for the origination execution system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a flow diagram for the anonymous debt marketplace of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a block diagram of the computer system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention provides systems and methods for providing a user friendly trading platform for sellers and bidders which embraces typical institutional trading methods and operates with an efficiency that is only possible when transacting individual, whole loans. 
     In a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, the system provides a fully transparent auction with firm bids from buyers that have a deposit account. Exchange participants can efficiently and quickly settle transactions. Sellers can provide pools of loans and use exchange services to provide auction information a bidder uses to make determinations about such assets. The exchange system provides standardized Purchase &amp; Sales agreements for sellers, but also has the flexibility to allow the market to create new versions to be used in trading. In all embodiments, the exchange system provides flexibility for separating pools of whole loans for bidders to analyze and select only the loan or loans that meet their bid requirements. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the system and method of the present invention is not limited to whole loans, as other types of financial instruments, assets, and debt instruments could benefit equally from the present invention. Since debt instruments typically trade on the secondary market in pools, the present invention can achieve higher prices for sellers and more preferred assets for buyers when buyers can buy targeted amounts of assets that best fit in their investment strategy. Such instruments may include, but are not limited to, auto loans, credit card debt, commercial real estate loans, boat loans, insurance contracts, etc. The system removes inefficiencies from the traditional system as the items can converge on a price indicative of their value, and the value encompasses the needs of a broad spectrum of buyers. The platform (system) can accommodate the unique attributes inherent in each asset class by utilizing a flexible and extensible database schema. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a system is shown for facilitating an electronic exchange for residential mortgages. A seller  20  having a pool of mortgages  21  communicates with the exchange entity through communications means, such as a computer  23  connected to the Internet  29 . It will be appreciated that any number of communications means may be utilized, including, but not limited to, telephones, cell phones, mobile applications, in-person transactions, Application Programming Interfaces (API), web based services, and written transactions. Each pool of debt instruments (in this example, mortgage loans  21 ) comprises at least one whole, individual loan  22   a  and, in a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, each pool of loans  21  comprises a plurality of individual, whole loans  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c.    
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , a representative (or agent)  25  associated with the exchange entity reviews each whole, individual mortgage loan  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  in each pool of mortgages  21 . The agent  25  of the exchange entity then selects or obtains documentation data  26  relating to each whole, individual mortgage loan  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c . It will be appreciated that the agent  25  may be a human being, an automated process or software module, or any other device or system for making queries relating to mortgage loan information. The documentation data  26  may be selected from a local compilation of data stored in a database associated with the exchange entity, or it may be selected from various other sources from the Internet  29  or elsewhere. Further, the documentation data  26  may be gathered via data gathering means, which may include, but is not limited to, an automated program configured to search public and/or private databases for information relating to each loan or pool of loans, a person or team of people organized to gather information, or a combination of computer-implemented search functionalities and people. Further, such data gathering means may be in the form of a special purpose computer comprising computer components and program instructions containing an algorithm to search public and/or private databases for information based on keywords, loan information, or any other relevant data, and to parse such information and/or data to find relevant portions. Loan documentation data may be stored in a local database or file storage, or stored and maintained by a third-party provider. 
     Once the agent  25  identifies the relevant documentation data  26  for each whole, individual loan  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , that data is transmitted to the exchange entity&#39;s server computer  24 , where it is stored on a data storage unit or device, such as a hard disk drive. The relevant documentation data may be inputted via an input means, such as a computer system  31  associated with the agent  25  of the exchange entity. The server computer  24  is in communication with the Internet  29  and, in a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, has a public Internet Protocol (IP) address and is running a web server platform (HTTP server). In an additional, but non-limiting embodiment, communication may occur over a private network, including, but not limited to, a virtual private network utilizing industry standard communication software and protocols. The relevant documentation data  26  may take a variety of forms, such as visual displays  27   a ,  27   b  of analytical or reference data, or textual data. 
     After the relevant documentation data  26  has been transmitted to the server computer  24 , along with other information relating to the mortgage loan pools  21  and the whole, individual mortgage loans  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  in that pool, the seller  20  is given the opportunity to approve of the listing. The approval process may be made with any number of communications means, including, but not limited to, a telephone, cell phone, mobile communications device, or a computer  23  connected to the Internet  29  or other network. 
     Once the seller  20  of the pool of mortgage loans  21  approves of the listing, the server computer  24  hosts an auction by providing HTTP contents, or other forms of data, to potential bidders  28  through the Internet  29  or other network. The bidders  28 , through a website or other form of interface with the server computer  24 , are able to view analytical and/or informational data  27   a ,  27   b  relating to individual, whole mortgage loans  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c , as well as mortgage loan pools  21  containing such loans. Through the interface, or other communication methods, bidders  28  can specify their bids in their preferred format, which may include disparate bidding methods and non-monetary bidding methods, described herein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a typical scenario for selling whole loans begins at step  200  when a listing institution (lender or seller  20 ) desires to sell a pool of loans. At step  201 , a database of loans to be sold, along with documentation data relating to the loans, is given to the customer representative  25  at the exchange. The exchange entity may then perform initial due diligence at step  202 . At step  203 , the customer representative  25  communicates with the seller  20  and together they set an opening price and a reserve price. Customer representatives  25  also work with sellers  20  at step  204  to set the auction start, end, and preview dates. The seller  20  is given the opportunity to select all bidders that will be exposed to the assets they intend to sell by creating a subset of bidders from the entire universe of qualified bidders approved by the marketplace to transact. At step  205 , the seller  20  can choose to either upgrade each asset listing, or to add additional services, such as photos, Broker&#39;s Price Opinion (BPO) appraisal, or other services. Next, at step  206 , the assets are entered into the exchange system (possibly on a data storage unit of a server computer  24 ) and, at step  207 , the seller  20  verifies that the auction information is correct. The exchange entity may then aggregate the approved inventory into pools, which is dictated by the Purchase and Sale agreement to be used in the transaction, which is selected by the seller  20 . At step  209 , after the listing and authorization activities are concluded, a preview period begins on a specified date where authorized potential buyers can view and research the auction assets. After the preview period is completed, and, at step  210 , the exchange entity conducts the auction through a website (via one or more web servers  24 ), interactive portal, web based service, API, or other communication means configured to accept bids. Bidders  28  are able to bid on the listings from their computers. When the auction goes live, web content for facilitating users&#39; participation in the auction are made available to individual bidders (users)  28 , either privately (i.e., requiring a registration, membership in specific marketplace user groups, or login) or publicly. Later, at step  211 , after the auction goes live, the listing process ends. At step  212 , if the auction was successful, the assets are exchanged for payment between the seller  20  and bidder  28 , and then, at step  213 , the settlement company wires the funds to the institution and the assignment is executed. The exchange system can optionally relist unsold listings (step  215 ); the seller  20  can relist the property using the same procedure. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the sales process is outlined in detail. During the sales process, the exchange operator (e.g., sales team, or an automated data gathering process), or other individual(s) or entity(ies), gathers potential inventory from multiple sources to be sold on the exchange to various potential buyers (investors). Next, at step  301 , exchange operators gather and analyze a base level of due diligence data regarding the assets to be sold. As an example, third party data  26  is gathered electronically with the use of a software program or module running on a computer  31  that is programmed with an algorithm for gathering data relevant to mortgage loans or other types of loans. At step  302 , exchange operators then use the due diligence and additional third party data  26  to establish an estimated tradable range for the asset. At step  303 , these results are shared with the seller  20 , possibly though a communications means such as an Internet  29  webpage, who, based on this information, can determine whether to proceed in listing the asset. If the seller  20  determines they would like to proceed with the sale, then, at step  305 , the seller  20  can select an optional enhanced level of due diligence to be performed on the sale by the exchange operator or other individual. At this point in the exchange, initiation services can be provided to the seller  20 , including services from vendors that partner with the exchange  32 . These various services may be selectable through a menu and/or graphical user interface provided to the seller  20  through a communications means, such as an Internet  29  webpage. 
     One service provided by the exchange system is due diligence. Due diligence is performed on each loan in the system, and the exchange system can give indication notification, such as by using a “certified” status. During this step, the exchange system operators are involved to make sure that the financial products are characterized correctly. This step can provide assurance to the bidder  28  and/or seller  20  that the loans and information describing the loans are accurate. 
     Due diligence can provide analytical information regarding the borrower quality, collateral quality, and submarket data. The borrower quality may include analysis of information that includes, but is not limited to, an updated credit score, 12-month mortgage payment history, borrower&#39;s age disclosure, and underwriting fraud review. The collateral quality and characteristics may include analysis of information that includes, but is not limited to, the current property value, list of current liens and priority, flood zone determination, homeowner&#39;s insurance coverage status, property collateral characteristics, property condition report and pictures, Notice of Default (NOD)/Notice of Trustee Sale (NTS) filing disclosure, and property/borrower litigation disclosure. Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and submarket data may include analysis of information including, but not limited to, local foreclosure data, local market information (projected growth rates), and local school information. This analytical information may be displayed as lists, charts, graphs, maps, or in other ways. Another service that may be provided is to standardize the representation and manner of dissemination of due diligence results and data provided by the seller  20  that describes the borrower, collateral and note terms so that market participants can more efficiently receive and act on the information. Many buyers organize their data in different formats, which can make bidders  28  review more difficult (e.g., interest rate may be called “INT RATE” or “Rate” and may be represented as 6.50% or 0.065). 
     The inventory of loans, along with the due diligence findings, may then be posted or otherwise made available to the widest pool of potential bidders, including all institutions and local bidders  28  that are authorized to view the asset class, unless the seller  20  chooses to narrow the audience to a smaller subset. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , once the due diligence process is completed, the asset information and listing data is entered into the trade exchange server  24  at step  306 . The exchange system can provide a view where a seller  20  can preview the asset information and listing data from a remote computer  23  that has authenticated into the system. At step  307 , the seller  20  may review the listings and can determine their accuracy, and a final review may be performed by the exchange entity. The system provides a mechanism to indicate a complete listing. At step  308 , once a final review by the seller  20  is completed, the exchange system can perform an additional review to determine the accuracy of the listings. At step  309 , the trade exchange servers  24  can include inventory from one or more sellers  20 , which may be aggregated into one auction. The information may be stored in a database system as discussed below. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , at step  310 , after the seller  20  has completed the process for listing, the exchange operators can initiate an auction once the seller  20  selects a standardized version of the purchase and sale contract to be used for the sale. Before a potential buyer can place a bid on an auction, they must first be an approved user of the exchange and have permission to view both the auction and the asset class related to the auction asset(s). Bidders  28  are interested parties and may include a variety of different people and entities, ranging from large and mid-sized financial institutions to individual brokers or accredited investors who desire to build a financial portfolio and possibly service whole loans themselves. In addition, bidders  28  may be service firms that can use the system to modify the mortgages associated to the listing, or provide loans to borrowers. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a registration process is outlined according to the principles of the present invention. The registration process may be programmed on exchange system servers  24  and controls the authorization of users in the system. In a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, in order for a buyer  28  to participate in the auction, the registration process must be completed, which requires that investors  28  create a user account having a login and complete a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), investor agreement, and investor questionnaire. Investors  28  may also be assigned an account representative and may be required to complete an agreement and agree to trustee terms, and then deposit funds into an account meeting a minimum requirement (e.g., $5,000.00). Buying/bidding power through the marketplace is determined by the amount an investor has on account multiplied by the margin afforded the investor. For example, an investor working on a 5% margin account could place bids totaling $100,000 off of a $5,000 deposit. In a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, investors  28  cannot see addresses, documents, or any other detailed loan information until the registration process is completed. An account representative may work with the investor to help them become a buyer in the exchange. It will be appreciated that the present invention may utilize many different types and/or forms for a registration process for buyers/investors  28  and other auction participants. For a seller  20  to list assets for auction, similar user registration process steps may be followed, although the investor agreement may have different legal, compliance, and financial requirements. Sellers  20  may not be required to place funds in an escrow account. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , as an auction begins, bidders  28  analyze the listings, examine the inventory, and place bids according to their preferences electronically via the exchange system. In a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, the bids are placed through a graphical user interface. After a duration (a set period of time), which is established prior to the auction, the auction closes (step  311 ). In some instances, an auction may close earlier than the previously-scheduled closing date if the seller  20  has established a fixed price that will be accepted for the asset and prefers to end the auction once a bid meeting the fixed price is received. At this point, the bids may be reviewed by bidding agents of the exchange entity (step  312 ). At step  313 , the bid results are verified, winners determined, and appropriate information given to a settlement company. Transactions may be consummated by the exchange system operator, managing the completion of the transactions. The buyer  28  (in this case, the winning bidder) receives title and the sellers  20  receive the proceeds of the sale. The exchange operator can provide further service to the buyer  28  after the auction is complete. Buyers  28  may be provided access to services that they require to manage their purchased assets. For example, a collection agency may be provided to collect the monthly service fees due on the property. In addition, the sellers  20  may continue to use the system to resell and/or relist unsold or additional inventory. Finally, at step  317 , the exchange entity monetizes the transactions and solicits feedback from all participants. The transactions may be monetized by charging a flat fee per closed loan, by charging a success fee of a set percentage of the sale price, by charging a participant subscription fee plus a success fee on the price achieved over some baseline (e.g., par) value, or by any other method. 
     In addition to the auction bidding method, the present invention provides a bid/ask method of bidding. This method is similar to normal exchange functionality where a seller  20  places an “ask” (i.e., asking price) and bidders  28  can “hit the ask” and instantly close the sale or, conversely, can place a bid which may be considered by the seller  20 . Bids may be placed and remain active for a minimum of 24 hours. Sellers  20  may hit bids at any time. This manner of sale is better suited for performing and newly originated loans and is advantageous for sellers  20  in firm pricing and par situations and could theoretically allow them to achieve liquidity in a much shorter timeframe. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a bidding process for an institutional buyer is shown that utilizes a custom tape list, which may be referred to as a custom pool within the exchange marketplace. A “tape” or “custom pool” is a collection of assets chosen by a bidder  28  that is saved as a list in a file. These assets are usually those that the bidder  28  would like to consider purchasing. The custom pool (tape) shows the individual characteristics and data for each loan in the list, including the number of loans, total Unpaid Principle Balance (UPB) for each asset, characteristics and information about the borrower and collateral and expiration matrix, etc. Groups of loans may be saved inside the exchange system  34  (e.g., on a data storage unit connected to an exchange server  24   a  and/or web server  24   b , or connected to a single server  24  that serves multiple functions) to be kept as one or more custom pools. In addition, the custom pool (tape) may be exported from the exchange system  34  as a text or XML formatted file, or other type of data file, in order for analytics to be performed. For example, when a bidder  28  is completing a bid sheet, they can bid on multiple assets from the exchange. The bidder  28  can create value by selecting assets via the auction platform. Bidders  28  can then download, organize, and analyze the information  35  related to those assets. Specific bid values can be associated to items in the tape and then uploaded to a server  24  using the custom pool (tape list) from a bidder&#39;s computer  30 . Further, bidders  28  may be enabled to place a bid as a percentage of the UPB or as a dollar amount. The custom pool (tape list) becomes a Bid Sheet once the bidder  28  has appended bids to each asset they choose to place bids on. Multiple bids can also be placed directly from the buyer&#39;s dashboard. Individual loans can be saved inside the exchange system database  35  using a default watch list. The exchange system  34  (through a web server  24   b  or other means) may provide and allow interaction with these features through a web interface. In addition to this method of bidding, data may be accessed via an API and imported into a bidder&#39;s system for analysis. Bids from the resulting analysis can be uploaded to the exchange via the API. After the auction(s) close, a due diligence period may commence. Following the due diligence period, the buyer (institution) may wire funds to an escrow account and receive assignments. Then, one or more data files and documents relating to the purchased loans may be made available for download. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , a user “Rodney” has an account in the exchange system  34  of the present invention where his information is stored. The display window includes a user dashboard  500  where information about portfolios  502 , active custom pools  504 , and watchlist items  506  can be tracked. The portfolios  502  shows an aggregation of all items that the user is participating in. The active custom pools  504  lists loan pools that the user is participating in, providing the number of winning and losing bids, in addition to the number of won and lost bids and not bid (i.e., loans that a bidder has added to a tape but has not made a bid on, which is the default status for loans added to a tape). In addition, the user can download a tape of the items in each pool that the user has bid on. Watchlist items  506  are represented with a customizable list of items that a user has saved. Each item in the watchlist  506  is a whole loan, and the user can see where they stand on each particular item. The user can also view buying power and the status of pending communications with exchange administrators for the invention (not shown in  FIG. 6A ). 
     The exchange system provides search capabilities to narrow the auction listings to particular criteria. Search criteria displayed to the user is dynamically generated based on user permissions and asset class. Search results may be given in a one line list that may be expanded to view details. Search results are the results that a buyer receives for a specific query that the buyer has entered. When a buyer enters search criteria for loans, the search results are generated from an auction exchange system database storing the listing items. Then, the buyer can select specific items in the search results to add to a watchlist  506 . The search results may also be saved in the exchange system  34  as a custom pool and stored or exported as a tape. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, buyers can place a maximum aggregate bid amount for active auctions that equals the buyer deposit account plus a multiplier. Some buyers may be required to place funds into an escrow account to place bids. These funds help insure that the buyer will honor their bid should they win an auction. If a buyer defaults on a winning bid, they may be required to forfeit some or all of their escrow balance. A buyer&#39;s maximum aggregate amount of all outstanding bids, called Maximum Buying Power, is determined by their escrow balance multiplied by a value (margin multiplier). Initially, the margin multiplier for a buyer will be 20 times their escrow balance, but this value may be adjusted for each buyer. Some large buyers may not be subject to escrow deposit requirements or may supply letters-of-credit in lieu of escrow balances. For example, Maximum Buying Power may equal the escrow balance multiplied by the margin multiplier, and Current Buying Power may equal the escrow balance multiplied by the margin multiplier, minus any outstanding bid obligations. Each buyer profile has three fields that are maintained by an administrator of the exchange entity: escrow requirement, escrow balance, and margin multiplier. All changes to these fields must be contained in an audit log, along with the reason for the change. The escrow balance field may be true or false, depending on whether the buyer is subject to Buying Power rules. The escrow balance field may represent the current escrow balance for the buyer and, in some instances, may be updated by an administrator of the exchange entity when an auction closes or when the buyer deposits or requests withdrawals from their escrow account. The margin multiplier field represents a number that is multiplied by the escrow balance to determine a Maximum Buying Power. A buyer may increase their escrow balance by depositing funds to their third-party escrow account and notifying the exchange entity. A buyer may request a withdrawal by using a link on a dashboard provided through an interface. Buyers cannot withdraw funds if the remaining escrow balance would not create sufficient Buying Power to cover all the buyer&#39;s current bids and in settlement purchases. When placing a bid, a buyer&#39;s Buying Power is reduced by their maximum bid amount (not their current bid). For example, if a buyer places a bid on an asset for $10,000 with a maximum bid of $50,000, their Buying Power is immediately reduced by $50,000. If a buyer is increasing a bid on an auction they have previously placed a bid on, their Buying Power is reduced only by the difference between their previous maximum bid amount and the new maximum (Net Bid Increase). If a user does not have sufficient Buying Power to cover their maximum bid, an error should be presented to the user and the bid rejected. 
     As discussed above, buyers may also place multiple bids through a batch upload process (bid tape upload) or via a buyer dashboard/interface. In one preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, if the total of all Net Bid Increases exceeds a buyer&#39;s available Buying Power, the borrower cannot confirm all of the bids. In such a case, the buyer may be presented with a message at the top of a batch bid confirmation screen that indicates the Total Net Bid amount included in their upload, their current Buying Power, and the amount they would have to reduce their maximum bids to successfully confirm the batch. Buyers may also be presented with the option to contact the exchange entity&#39;s customer service to increase their Buying Power. Buyers can also reduce the maximum bid amounts to meet their Buying Power limits and then successfully submit their bid confirmations. 
     In one preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, when a buyer is outbid and becomes the second highest bidder, their Buying Power reserved for the auction may be reduced to their highest bid amount. Due to automatic incremental bidding, in most cases a losing bidder&#39;s highest bid and their maximum bid amount may be equal (in this case there is no action required). There are some situations where these values may not be equal and then the difference between the bidder&#39;s maximum bid and their highest bid is returned as Buying Power. When a buyer is no longer the first or second highest bidder on an auction, their Buying Power reserved for the auction is returned. 
     In a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, when an individual bid is retracted using specified retraction rules, reserved Buying Power is also affected. The bid retraction rules may indicate which users will be the highest and second highest bidder after the retraction. The overall rule for Buying Power on auctions with a retracted bid is that no buyer&#39;s Buying Power obligation can be increased due to the retracted bid. Buying Power may be automatically adjusted by the debt marketplace engine during the bid retraction process based on a number of rules. For a buyer that was the highest bidder before retraction, the Buying Power reserved by the retracted high bid is returned to the bidder. When retracting a bid, the exchange entity (or an administrator thereof) should first lower the buyer&#39;s escrow balance or margin multiplier to reflect any escrow forfeitures related to the bid retraction. A buyer that was the second highest bidder before the retraction (and now the winning bidder), has their Buying Power reservation requirement remain the same as prior to the retraction. If they subsequently increase their current bid or maximum bid amounts (except if the bid increase is through automatic incremental bidding), they may become subject to the standard Buying Power rules again. For bidders who are the third highest or lower bidder before the retraction, those bidders will not have any Buying Power reserved even if they become the first or second highest bidder due to the retraction. If they subsequently increase their current bid or maximum bid amounts (except if the bid increase is through automatic incremental bidding), they become subject to the standard Buying Power rules again. This rule prevents issues where the new first or second highest bidder does not have enough Buying Power to cover a bid. 
     In one preferred, but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, Buying Power changes may be triggered based on status changes to the related auction. For example, if the auction enters into an “in settlement” or “pending bid approval” status, winning bidders&#39; Buying Power reserved for the auction may be reduced from their maximum bid amount to their winning bid amount, and the second highest bidder&#39;s reserved Buying Power returned. If the auction enters into an “expired” status from the “pending bid approval” status, then any Buying Power that remains reserved should be returned to all bidders. If the auction is expired because the auction has reached the Auction End Date with no bids, there is no Buying Power to return. If the auction is cancelled, all bidders have their Buying Power returned. If the auction is closed, it indicates the settlement activities to transfer ownership from the seller to the winning bidder are complete. Since a buyer may have used some of his escrow funds to complete the settlement, the exchange entity (or an administrator thereof) must review and possibly adjust the winning buyer&#39;s escrow balance to reflect any changes prior to closing an auction. Once an auction is closed, the winning bidders Buying Power that has been reserved for the auction is returned. A buyer is outbid when another buyer places a bid that exceeds the first buyers maximum bid amount. Although a buyer may be momentarily outbid by a bidder with a lower maximum bid amount, the automatic incremental bidding system will quickly set the highest bidder as the buyer with the highest maximum bid amount. When considering Buying Power calculations, the determination of highest bidder may be considered after all incremental bidding has been completed. Buyers with the highest bid and the second highest bid both have their Buying Power reserved. The highest bidder has their maximum bid amount reserved, and the second highest bidder has their highest bid amount reserved (not necessarily their maximum bid amount). The second highest bidder must have their Buying Power reserved because they are obligated to honor their bid if the highest bid is retracted prior to the Auction End Date. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a bid sheet can be used to provide multiple bid uploading facilitating the use of sophisticated valuation techniques. For example, when competing for multiple assets in an on-line auction, bidders will find value in selecting assets via the auction platform and then downloading, organizing, and further analyzing information related to those assets. The exchange system  34  provides bidders the ability to easily and independently analyze information away from the standardized software and e-tools provided by the exchange system platform. Bidders may prefer to use their own computer models using software programs, such as Excel, among others which allow for the valuation of those assets using a fully customized or “black box” approach to generate specific bid values for each asset. Once specific bid values are generated, bidders can then seamlessly upload those bids in the form of a standardized bid sheet to the on-line auction platform in an easy-to-use and efficient manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , user Rodney has a bid sheet. The bid sheet  520  provides selectable items the bidder can select that indicate assets of interest via the on-line auction platform. The user interface can provide selectable rows or columns for the bidder to select and manipulate items. The bidder may apply the bid sheet tool which downloads the information pertaining to the selected assets and creates a custom list, such as a spreadsheet. All information pertaining to each asset can be available in one row of data and ready to analyze. The bid sheet may include a column that allows the bidder to input a maximum bid amount. The bid input methods vary by asset class and include, but are not limited to: currency amount, unpaid principal balance, and loan-to-value. Other forms of value can be applied to other asset classes in a similar fashion. In one embodiment, the bidder can select “Upload Bid Sheet” on the on-line auction platform to transfer their maximum bid values to an on-line user account. The exchange system  34  provides programming instructions to dynamically extract bids from the newly uploaded bid sheet and assign the bid values to each bid asset on behalf of the bidder. The system is not limited in providing output; these files can be manipulated on any remote system having requisite access, as well as on mobile platforms. The platform allows for disparate bidding methods, including non-monetary bidding methods, which are reconciled and compared to determine the ranking of bids placed on the auction. The ability of the exchange engine to homogenize disparate bids allows bidders to use their preferred bidding method without restricting the entire auction to one bidding method. 
     The bid sheet method allows bidders who apply highly sophisticated valuation techniques to participate in auctions of multiple assets. Without the bid sheet method, bidders would have no efficient way to populate their models with the necessary information to generate specific bid values. The system can adapt to other system requirements. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 5 , when the auction closes, it includes any bids that a buyer has placed during the auction on individual loans. The buyer can place loans as a percentage of the UPB, as a dollar amount, or as a bid to value (BTV), which is a bid as a percentage of the value of the underlying collateral (as determined by recent estimates of collateral obtained from third parties). Additional bid input methods are available based on the asset class associated with the auction. Once the auction is closed, a due diligence period begins and the due diligence process is completed. The institution wires funds to escrow and receives assignments. Then, the data file and documents for purchased loans may be made available for download. 
     In a real estate downturn in which loan to value ratios exceed 100%, borrowers are known to default on their mortgages both intentionally (“strategic default”) and unintentionally, and the process of foreclosing is unappealing to lenders due to the time, expense, resources, and market conditions. 
     In one embodiment, a loan realignment service sale can provide an effective solution for all parties involved. A loan realignment service sale is designed to simultaneously benefit three parties: seller (current lender), bidder/buyer (potential lender), and borrower (home owner). The seller&#39;s primary benefit is avoiding the cumbersome foreclosure process and having the opportunity to maximize the disposition values of troubled assets via access to a specialized pool of bidders. The bidder&#39;s benefit is the realized opportunity to profit on distressed whole loans in two ways: 1) purchasing the assets at a discount; 2) renegotiating terms to ease the borrower&#39;s liability. Renegotiation aides distressed borrowers to help them turn their nonperforming loans into a performing loan. By conforming these assets, they can then later be sold at par for profit to a Government-sponsored Enterprise (GSE) or alternative institutional buyer. A bidder can also benefit by acquiring assets for profit by foreclosure. In some cases, a bidder may desire foreclosed property, a likely inevitable fate with the current seller if the asset is not sold. In any case, the system can reduce the occurrence of foreclosure. Lastly, borrowers benefit because they may be currently in default facing foreclosure and a loan realignment service sale provides the possibility of favorable and affordable loan terms (i.e., lower principal balance and monthly payment, lower interest rates, etc.) with a new lender and, therefore, having the ability and incentive to stay in their homes. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7B and 7C , a loan realignment service sale begins at step  717  when a seller  20  provides candidate borrower&#39;s contact information and authorizes the exchange entity to contact the borrower  70  directly to explain the loan realignment service sale opportunity. An exchange operator will explain the concept, terms, and qualification process to candidate borrowers. At step  718 , system operators collect current financial qualification documentation from the borrower  70  and review the documentation. Based on collected information, a determination is made whether the borrower qualifies to participate. If the borrower qualifies and confirms an interest to participate, a signed loan realignment service sale borrower contract must be completed (step  719 ). At step  720 , the bidders (investors)  28  are invited to review information of borrowers and to bid on “to-be-modified” distressed assets. The bidders have the benefit of reviewing the borrower&#39;s current financial situation. Such review may occur over an electronic communications medium, including, but not limited to, the Internet. Borrowers may agree to release original lender and bidders from any wrong doing prior to the modification. As a term of the modification, borrowers will agree to relieve both the original lender and the winning bidder of legacy legal risk, and bidders will also agree to relieve the legacy legal risk from the original mortgage since they have purchased the loan. At step  721 , the bidder creates a bid, which includes a maximum bid value for the assets and optional revised loan terms, which will benefit the borrower. The bid which maximizes the disposition value for the seller wins the asset. In the case of a tie, the bidder/buyer who offers the most advantageous terms to the borrower wins the asset. In the example provided in  FIG. 7C , bid results  71  are provided that indicate investor A and investor C both tie for the purchase price amount. In this example, because investor C has a lower loan balance, investor C is the winning bidder. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 7C , as an example, investor D offers a purchase price of $195,000.00 and a loan balance of $280,000.00, and investor C offers a $225,000.00 purchase price and a loan balance of $270,000.00. Investor C acquires the asset because they have maximized the seller&#39;s value. If both offered equal purchase prices of $225,000.00, C would win based on loan balance. At closing, the seller receives the cash proceeds from the buyer in accordance with the winning bid. Simultaneously at closing, the newly restructured loan and contractual agreement is provided to the winning buyer/bidder. The borrower is immediately notified of their newly restructured terms and obligated to make payments to the winning bidder/buyer in accordance with the modified loan agreement. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7A , one preferred, but non-limiting embodiment of the loan realignment service according to the principles of the present invention, is shown. At step  701 , a borrower decides to participate in the loan realignment program. As mentioned above, this participation may be initiated by a seller that currently owns the mortgage loan. At step  702 , it is determined if there are any junior liens on the property subject to the mortgage. If there is a junior lien, at step  703 , an offer may be made to the junior lien holder based on a predefined algorithm. At step  704 , if the offer is accepted, at step  706  the junior lien holder may provide consent to proceed with the loan realignment service sale. If the junior lien holder does not accept the offer at step  704 , the borrower may be given an optional transactional assistance contract, at step  708 . If the borrower rejects the transactional assistance contract, at step  715  the borrower exits the program and no longer participates. If the borrower accepts the transactional assistance contract, at step  716  the borrower signs the contract, waives legal rights to contest foreclosure, vacates the property, and is given payment. Back to step  704 , if the junior lien holder accepts the offer, they sign consent to proceed with loan realignment and proceed to step  705 , in which the loan is subject to underwriting. At step  702 , if there are no junior liens, the method proceeds to step  705  in which the loan is subject to underwriting. At step  707 , it is determined whether the borrower is pre-qualified for the program. If not, the borrower may be given an optional transactional assistance contract (step  708 ), which may be rejected (step  715 ) or accepted (step  716 ). If the borrower is pre-qualified, the seller may set maximum acceptable modification terms at step  709 . If these terms are acceptable to the borrower, at step  711  the modification is signed with terms to be determined. At step  712 , the bidding begins and ends, and final terms are set by buyer. At step  713 , the final modification is signed and, at step  714 , ownership of the loan is transferred to the new buyer (bidder). If the terms of the modification terms at step  710  are not acceptable to the borrower, the method proceeds to step  715  in which the borrower exits the program. 
     In another embodiment, the Mortgage Procedural Loan Automated Negotiation (PLAN) is a technical procedure for automated and orderly term negotiation in an auction format using the exchange system. The Mortgage PLAN process allows mortgage loan “originators” (new loan lenders) and borrowers seeking mortgage financing for a new home, refinancing an existing mortgage, or financing other types of assets, to come together in an efficient technology-based forum. Borrowers benefit because they have the opportunity to possibly secure more favorable mortgage financing terms over conventional alternatives. Originators benefit because they have access to a specialized pool of borrowers that they can efficiently access, allowing them to put their capital to work at a lower cost. Furthermore, some of those savings can be passed onto the borrower in the form of more favorable terms. 
     In the exchange system, an example borrower (or borrower&#39;s agent) requests initial terms (e.g., a $200,000 loan with a 30 year fixed loan with a 6% reserve (interest) rate and no points). Standardized exchange documents can be used for any possible future transaction. One option for the borrower is to select a “Borrow Now” button associated to the best available rate. This can end any auction allowing the originator to win the borrowers business immediately. For example, the borrower may select a 5.5% Borrow Now rate and receive a 5.5% to conforming loans. 
     Alternatively, if the action proceeds, competing bids can be placed among originators. Competing bids drive interest rates lower. For example, rates can go from 8% down to 6.25% based on competition. Again, at anytime during the auction, a bidder (originator) could end the auction by placing a 5.5% bid per the borrower&#39;s Borrow Now rate. 
     In a slightly different scenario, if an originator seeks to bid with the loan on the condition of modifying the loan terms, then a “direct conditional offer” can be delivered to the borrower requesting that they consider the new term(s). The new terms can be associated with a borrower in the system or e-mailed directly to the borrower via the servers for the borrower&#39;s consideration. In this example, the originator requests that their standard loan documents are used, accompanied with a 1 point origination fee in return for a 5.75% interest rate. The borrower may accept or reject this variation offer. Time duration can be enforced, such as a 24-hour consideration period. A direct bid does not compete with other originators unless the borrower accepts it. If the borrower does accept, then the direct bid is posted on the auction. The borrower has the ability to change their listing to reflect the new terms or they can choose to require competing originators to adhere to the original terms. If so, the accepted terms from the “direct conditional offer” will be transparent to all competing originator bids. The Mortgage PLAN may be used to negotiate terms between borrower and lender or between buyer and seller of an existing mortgage or loan. 
     This invention also provides for a method for borrowers to achieve efficient, secure, and anonymous qualification and price discovery through a central and standardized debt marketplace. This method does not qualify a borrower for financing, but rather provides anonymous introductions and forums for negotiation when a borrower&#39;s characteristics match a lender&#39;s criteria. 
     To become eligible to seek financing through the debt marketplace, a single application form may be provided to borrowers to fill out with qualification information. The application process is flexible and, although there are several standard questionnaires that are tailored to the borrowers&#39; situation, the process will gather pertinent information appropriate for a lender to consider extending credit to borrowers with unique situations (i.e., a self employed borrower may be asked to submit different information than a salaried employee). In addition, borrowers may elect, in their sole discretion, to fill in additional information that may be required by some lenders. If borrowers elect not to fill in this additional information, there may be a greater likelihood that prospective lenders will request such information prior to giving an approval (see Additional Information Requests explanation below). The borrower&#39;s full application may then be supplemented with third party data (i.e., third party provided credit scores, debt, and income information) to add useful qualification data and to verify and validate the information provided by the borrower. The debt marketplace then performs a series of tests and analysis to create a “Complete Borrower Profile” for the borrower, which contains specific detailed information that is typically provided when a borrower is finalizing and closing a lending transaction. Once the Complete Borrower Profile has been created, the debt marketplace will then determine and create industry standard ratios and metrics that are commonly used by lenders to determine a borrower&#39;s eligibility and qualifications, and also add these ratios to the Complete Borrower Profile. Most of these numbers are not subjective, but rather uses actual metrics that describe the borrower&#39;s financial situation and compares them to industry standards and to a borrower&#39;s other characteristics to create ratios that would allow a lender to determine a borrower&#39;s financial health and credit worthiness. An example of this would be to create a back end ratio that is computed by taking a borrower&#39;s monthly debt obligations and dividing it by their income. In some credit markets, standardized application engines exist, such as Fannie Mae&#39;s Loan Prospector and Freddie Mac&#39;s Desktop Underwriter engine. If a borrower is seeking a home loan, such engines could be easily accessed in order to attach the results to the borrower&#39;s profile. In addition to industry standard ratios and underwriting engines, algorithms may be developed to determine creditworthiness, and the results of such algorithms may also be contained in a Complete Borrower Profile. 
     Much of this information may be sensitive and private (i.e., social security numbers) and may require that the information is securely stored (such as in a SAS  70  storage environment). This information may be kept completely confidential and may only be delivered to a lender at request of the borrower when pricing and loan terms have already been negotiated and agreed. 
     In order to allow borrowers and lenders to explore a relationship, the entity managing the debt marketplace may take a subset of the information that is collected and strip it of any sensitive and/or personally identifiable information to create a borrower&#39;s Universal Buyer Profile (UBP), which is a robust collection of qualification information that is sufficient for lenders to process an application and generate a conditional approval. The UBP allows all approved direct lenders to easily scan through a borrower&#39;s anonymous credentials to determine if they can offer borrowers a pre-approved loan based on the borrower&#39;s terms. Since there is no personally identifiable information, anonymity is maintained and the lender must present any offers through the debt marketplace. Lenders will have no means to store the contacts information or present any offers directly through other mediums to the borrower. 
     Alternatively, a UBP serves as a borrower&#39;s passport to view all lenders who have loan programs for which the borrower qualifies and is already pre-approved, as can be seen in  FIG. 9 . Borrowers gain access to the universe of lenders through the central and standardized debt marketplace and can negotiate with lenders directly, securely, and anonymously. UBPs can easily be downloaded and delivered to any lender the borrower chooses, without worry, by simply logging into the debt marketplace, selecting a recipient of the information and, having the marketplace work as a middleman to maintain anonymity, apply for the loan from the desired lender. Lenders respond to the inquiry by making an initial pricing offer with terms, which is then delivered directly to the borrower by the marketplace. The borrower can then anonymously negotiate with the lender on rates or terms by communicating with lenders through the debt marketplace. Negotiating better rates and comparison shopping for credit using this process is much simpler because the borrower is only subjected to a single initial underwriting and application process, is automatically shown lenders that would be willing to extend credit, and the approval and negotiation process is completely anonymous through an electronic platform, providing consumers with a more efficient approval process and an effective means of price discovery. 
     UBPs are created and are not attributable to any particular borrower. Although a borrower will be assigned or provided with a unique and constant (static) user ID, a UBP will not include the borrowers unique ID. Instead, a UBP ID is generated and assigned to each UBP. A listing of which borrower each UBP describes is kept completely confidential on the debt market system. Thus, if a lender were to misplace a UBP, the information would have no value to anyone, criminals included. 
     Each data field is given one of several designations: Sensitive—Information that is sensitive and is only included in a Full Borrower Profile. This information will never be shared with any other entity except at the request of the borrower. Once a borrower initiates this action, they will also be asked for a second confirmation method and an additional password in order to confirm their desire to share sensitive information. Sensitive information can also be categorized as “personally sensitive” or “collateral sensitive”, depending on what the information describes. A sensitive piece of information relating to the collateral would be the address of a home or the VIN number of a car. 
     Anonymous—Information that cannot identify the borrower. Only anonymous information can be included in a UBP. 
     Transaction Specific—Borrower preferences which can change with each type of transaction. This would describe the amount of credit sought, the type of credit the borrower is seeking, etc. 
     The following table is an example of the possible UBP data that may be sent to lenders in a standardized form (e.g., XML): 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 UBP Unique ID-Does not identify 
                 House 3 payment 
               
               
                 borrower as each UBP has a unique 
                   
               
               
                 identifier. Debt Marketplace retains list 
                   
               
               
                 of all UBPs and which borrower they 
                   
               
               
                 describe 
                   
               
               
                 Net income 
                 Credit score FICO 
               
               
                 Gross income 
                 Credit score FICO pull date 
               
               
                 Total monthly expenses 
                 Credit score EXP 
               
               
                 Total monthly expenses  
                 Credit score EXP pull date 
               
               
                 expiring in 6 months 
                   
               
               
                 Total monthly expenses expiring  
                 Back end ratio-totally monthly  
               
               
                 in 12 months 
                 obligations/total income 
               
               
                 House 1 payment 
                 City/state residence 
               
               
                 House 2 payment 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In conjunction with asking the debt marketplace to distribute a UBP, a borrower must define the nature of their inquiry by filling out a questionnaire to be delivered with the UBP. For example, a UBP XML stream which defines the inquiry may have five data fields: (1) Type of credit sought: Home Loan; (2) Amount of credit sought: $250,000; (3) Will this pay off any debts on the UBP? Yes; (4) Debts to payoff: House Payment 1; (5) Notes: I need to close in 30 days, would be interested in an expeditious response. 
     It will be appreciated that there are several possible versions and forms of a borrower&#39;s profile. In a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, the borrower maintains complete control over all information disseminated to lenders. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, the types of available profiles include a Full Borrower Profile, a Universal Borrower Profile (UBP), and a UBP+Collateral profile. 
     A Full Borrower Profile may contain sensitive information and documentation. When choosing to send this information, a borrower may be provided with different templates depending on the type of credit being sought. For example, applying for a credit card loan may require a different set of information than applying for a home loan may. When choosing to forward a Full Borrower Profile to a lender in order to close a loan, a borrower may customize what information is sent along. 
     A Universal Borrower Profile (UBP) is comprised of completely anonymous and unidentifiable information that describes a borrower&#39;s financial situation. A UBP+Collateral (UBP with collateral information) is a UBP with completely anonymous and unidentifiable information describing collateral to be used in a lending transaction. For example, if a home is being used as collateral for a mortgage, the results of an appraisal may be included with the UBP. 
     Matches may be determined between lenders and borrowers with a UBP. Regardless of what party initiates the anonymous interaction between a borrower and a lender, the process is a simple one to determine if the lender&#39;s requirements match with the borrower&#39;s qualifications. If the buyer chooses to explore lenders through the debt marketplace, the system will overlay the borrower&#39;s characteristics, provided by their UBP, over all lenders that publish their loan programs on the system. Conversely, the lender can choose to gain access to a set of borrowers&#39; UBPs based on any criteria the lender sets, and the lender may then be given a list of potentially qualified candidates. In either case, this matching engine will return one of three results any time a borrower&#39;s characteristics are compared to a lender&#39;s criteria. 
     The first of such results is a match, wherein a borrower&#39;s characteristics are compared to a lender&#39;s criteria and every single requirement is met by the borrower. The second of such results is a non-match, wherein a borrower&#39;s characteristics are compared to a lender&#39;s criteria and one or many of the requirements does not meet the lender&#39;s standards for that program. The third type of such results may indicate that additional information is required (this result may be referred to as Additional Information Required (AIR)), since the borrower&#39;s characteristic relating to that criteria is unknown. Additional information may be required when a borrower&#39;s provided information meets all of a lender&#39;s criteria for information, but a key data point is unknown and not included in the borrower&#39;s UBP. In such a case, there could be a match, but the analysis is inconclusive or “up in the air”. If a lender receives this response when analyzing a borrower as a potential lending opportunity, they can request the additional information through the debt marketplace. Borrowers may choose to provide this data in order to continue the exploratory process, or may simply select another lender with whom they are a match. If a borrower chooses to respond to a lenders request, the borrower may choose to have the response added to their UBP, or transmitted as a one-time response. 
     In a non-limiting embodiment, Borrowers electing to make their UBP available to a diverse group of lenders will receive firm offers from multiple lenders. These lenders will not be able to contact them directly, as the Borrowers still remain anonymous, and the offers are delivered to the credit marketplace based on the assumption that the information contained in the UBP is true and correct. These offers will contain the interest rate, offer amount, and all of the terms, including accurate fees. Rate information, which can fluctuate often, will reflect the lenders most current pricing until a borrower selects a loan and locks that rate. Therefore, rate comparisons among multiple offers will all change as the market changes, assuming the lender has tied their rate information to an index that is an option available to lenders through the credit marketplace. 
     When a lender receives a UBP that is deemed to be a match for one of their loan programs, a conditional approval may be issued. Before closing, a lender may receive the Full Borrower Profile, when approved by the borrower, on which additional analysis may be performed to ensure the accuracy of the UBP. The lender shall not set additional criteria but may ask for additional information to support the validity of information included in the UBP used to create the conditional approval. Upon receiving the Full Borrower Profile, verifying the accuracy of the UBP information, the loan is closed. 
     Upon consummating transactions, borrowers may have the opportunity to rate lenders for their responsiveness and accuracy of the representation of the loan terms through the debt marketplace. Lenders found to be altering loan terms from those provided through the debt marketplace may be removed from advertising rates and terms. This community of borrowers will help others make knowledgeable decisions when selecting a lender and will hopefully induce lenders to maintain a high level of quality control and customer service. 
     The following table illustrates a non-limiting example of how introductions between borrowers and lenders may be facilitated using a Universal Borrower Profile: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Step 1 
                 Gather Borrower data and documentation 
               
               
                 Step 2 
                 Verify, Validate and Supplement data and documentation 
               
               
                 Step 3 
                 Compute standard industry ratios and qualification required by 
               
               
                   
                 lenders-determine borrower risk based on generally accepted 
               
               
                   
                 underwriting principals 
               
               
                 Step 4 
                 Create UBP-(borrower is anonymous) 
               
               
                 Step 5 
                 Gather criteria, lending requirements and rate information 
               
               
                   
                 from Lenders for loan programs 
               
               
                 Step 6 
                 Compare UBPs to Loan program criteria and determine which 
               
               
                   
                 borrowers qualify for or could qualify for 
               
               
                 Step 7 
                 Borrower can choose a loan program (hit the ask) or set their 
               
               
                   
                 own criteria and interest rate requirements (place a bid) 
               
               
                 Step 8 
                 When a borrower accepts and selects a loan program for which 
               
               
                   
                 they qualify or a lender accepts the borrowers rate 
               
               
                   
                 requirements, an introduction is made. 
               
               
                 Step 9 
                 Borrower and Lender are introduced. Lender receives the 
               
               
                   
                 borrower&#39;s file including all documentation and analysis. 
               
               
                 Step 10 
                 Lender verifies the completeness and correctness of the 
               
               
                   
                 borrower&#39;s qualifications and closes the loan. Introduction is 
               
               
                   
                 monetized. 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Lenders who choose to interact with the debt marketplace have two means to participate: active and passive participation. Active Participation—Lenders may gain access to anonymous UBPs in order to analyze and determine their desire to make an offer to lend. If a lender determines that the UBP describes a borrower they would like to pre-approve for a loan, they may make an offer by submitting the offer with the unique UBP ID and the debt marketplace will pass along the offer to the barrow&#39;s account. The borrower will receive the offer in accordance with their preferences as identified in their account. Borrower preferences can be changed by borrowers at any time and may include delivery methods with which they prefer to communicate offers on behalf of lenders. 
     Passive Participation (Published Offers)—Lenders can choose to publish detailed lending criteria through the debt exchange. The debt marketplace will compare the borrowers UBP to all active lenders who have published loan programs. When participating in this manner, a lender&#39;s loan program will only appear on the borrower&#39;s “credit radar” in their online dashboard if the borrower meets all of the criteria and is a “match,” or if the borrower matches all criteria but is missing some key data to be a complete match (i.e., an “Additional Information Required” offer). This allows lenders to publish loan program criteria, terms, and rates, and will serve as advertising to bring borrowers to them. 
     The anonymity of prospective borrowers is maintained in either of these scenarios until a point that the borrower feels comfortable enough with the lender to proactively log onto their account to request and authorize their Full Profile to be sent to the lender. 
     The steps to create a borrower&#39;s UBP requires active participation and the submission of much documentation and information. This process can be lengthy and is broken down into many smaller and more manageable tasks. To encourage completion and the timely submission of information, in a further non-limiting embodiment, customers will be awarded ‘points’ along the way for the timeliness and completion of tasks, which can allow them to purchase merchandise, similar to frequent flyer miles. These points may be redeemed through ‘purchases’ using a fixed number of points or by allowing participants to bid their points in an auction format to win the service or merchandise being auctioned. Additionally, or alternatively, customers can be entered into a raffle or drawing that will award a product, service, discount, or cash award through completion of tasks or use of points from the completion of tasks. Customers may elect to opt out of the points/rewards component and, if they elect to opt-in, they may have to agree to share results or make an endorsement through any number of social media platforms. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment, if a borrower&#39;s UBP doesn&#39;t return any matches but the borrower has sufficient qualifications to be deserving of a loan, the borrower may elect to make their UBP available through an integrated peer to peer marketplace that allows for individuals to become lenders of a small portion of the loan balance. Individual lenders who participate will select the amount that they would like to contribute to funding the loan and the lowest return that they would accept to participate. The exchange can then aggregate bids from lenders, provide the current market return expectations in an attempt to encourage further competition, which drives down the note rate on the loan and the returns provided to the individual lenders. Once enough lenders have participated to fully fund the loan at the opening interest rate as selected by the borrower&#39;s preference and as limited to the highest rate where the loan is still affordable to the borrower, new lenders may ‘outbid’ the current lenders by submitting a lower note rate (return expectations) attached to the dollar amount of their participation. 
     The present invention may be implemented on a variety of computing devices and systems, wherein these computing devices include the appropriate processing mechanisms and computer-readable media for storing and executing computer-readable instructions, such as programming instructions, code, and the like. As shown in  FIG. 11 , personal computers  900 ,  944 , in a computing system environment  902  are provided. This computing system environment  902  may include, but is not limited to, at least one computer  900  having certain components for appropriate operation, execution of code, and creation and communication of data. For example, the computer  900  includes a processing unit  904  (typically referred to as a central processing unit or CPU) that serves to execute computer-based instructions received in the appropriate data form and format. Further, this processing unit  904  may be in the form of multiple processors executing code in series, in parallel, or in any other manner for appropriate implementation of the computer-based instructions. 
     In order to facilitate appropriate data communication and processing information between the various components of the computer  900 , a system bus  906  is utilized. The system bus  906  may be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. In particular, the system bus  906  facilitates data and information communication between the various components (whether internal or external to the computer  900 ) through a variety of interfaces, as discussed hereinafter. 
     The computer  900  may include a variety of discrete computer-readable media components. For example, this computer-readable media may include any media that can be accessed by the computer  900 , such as volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, non-removable media, etc. As a further example, this computer-readable media may include computer storage media, such as media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVDs), or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer  900 . Further, this computer-readable media may include communications media, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media, wired media (such as a wired network and a direct-wired connection), and wireless media (such as acoustic signals, radio frequency signals, optical signals, infrared signals, biometric signals, bar code signals, etc.). Of course, combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     The computer  900  further includes a system memory  908  with computer storage media in the form of volatile and non-volatile memory, such as ROM and RAM. A basic input/output system (BIOS) with appropriate computer-based routines assists in transferring information between components within the computer  900  and is normally stored in ROM. The RAM portion of the system memory  908  typically contains data and program modules that are immediately accessible to or presently being operated on by processing unit  904 , e.g., an operating system, application programming interfaces, application programs, program modules, program data, and other instruction-based computer-readable codes. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 11 , the computer  900  may also include other removable or non-removable, volatile or non-volatile computer storage media products. For example, the computer  900  may include a non-removable memory interface  910  that communicates with and controls a hard disk drive  912 , i.e., a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic medium; and a removable, non-volatile memory interface  914  that communicates with and controls a magnetic disk drive unit  916  (which reads from and writes to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk  918 ), an optical disk drive unit  920  (which reads from and writes to a removable, non-volatile optical disk  922 , such as a CD ROM), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port  921  for use in connection with a removable memory card, etc. However, it is envisioned that other removable or non-removable, volatile or non-volatile computer storage media can be used in the exemplary computing system environment  900 , including, but not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, DVDs, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, etc. These various removable or non-removable, volatile or non-volatile magnetic media are in communication with the processing unit  904  and other components of the computer  900  via the system bus  906 . The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in  FIG. 11  provide storage of operating systems, computer-readable instructions, application programs, data structures, program modules, program data, and other instruction-based computer-readable code for the computer  900  (whether duplicative or not of this information and data in the system memory  908 ). 
     A user may enter commands, information, and data into the computer  900  through certain attachable or operable input devices, such as a keyboard  924 , a mouse  926 , etc., via a user input interface  928 . Of course, a variety of such input devices may be utilized, e.g., a microphone, a trackball, a joystick, a touchpad, a touch-screen, a scanner, etc., including any arrangement that facilitates the input of data, and information to the computer  900  from an outside source. As discussed, these and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  904  through the user input interface  928  coupled to the system bus  906 , but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universal serial bus (USB). Still further, data and information can be presented or provided to a user in an intelligible form or format through certain output devices, such as a monitor  930  (to visually display this information and data in electronic form), a printer  932  (to physically display this information and data in print form), a speaker  934  (to audibly present this information and data in audible form), etc. All of these devices are in communication with the computer  900  through an output interface  936  coupled to the system bus  906 . It is envisioned that any such peripheral output devices be used to provide information and data to the user. 
     The computer  900  may operate in a network environment  938  through the use of a communications device  940 , which is integral to the computer or remote therefrom. This communications device  940  is operable by and in communication to the other components of the computer  900  through a communications interface  942 . Using such an arrangement, the computer  900  may connect with or otherwise communicate with one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  944 , which may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network personal computer, a peer device, or other common network nodes, and typically includes many or all of the components described above in connection with the computer  900 . Using appropriate communication devices  940 , e.g., a modem, a network interface or adapter, etc., the computer  900  may operate within and communication through a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), but may also include other networks such as a virtual private network (VPN), an office network, an enterprise network, an intranet, the Internet, etc. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers  900 ,  944  may be used. 
     As used herein, the computer  900  includes or is operable to execute appropriate custom-designed or conventional software to perform and implement the processing steps of the method and system of the present invention, thereby, forming a specialized and particular computing system. Accordingly, the presently-invented method and system may include one or more computers  900  or similar computing devices having a computer-readable storage medium capable of storing computer-readable program code or instructions that cause the processing unit  902  to execute, configure, or otherwise implement the methods, processes, and transformational data manipulations discussed hereinafter in connection with the present invention. Still further, the computer  900  may be in the form of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a portable computer, a laptop, a palmtop, a mobile device, a mobile telephone, a server, or any other type of computing device having the necessary processing hardware to appropriately process data to effectively implement the presently-invented computer-implemented method and system. 
     Computer  944  represents one or more work stations appearing outside the local network and bidders and sellers machines. The bidders and sellers interact with computer  900 , which can be an exchange system of logically integrated components including a database server and web server. In addition, secure exchange can take place through the Internet using secure www. An e-mail server can reside on system computer  900  or a component thereof. Electronic data interchanges can be transacted through networks connecting computer  900  and computer  944 . Third-party vendors represented by computer  944  can connect using EDI or www, but other protocols known to one skilled in the art to connect computers could be used. 
     The exchange system can be a typical web server running a process to respond to HTTP requests from remote browsers on computer  944 . Through HTTP, the exchange system can provide the user interface graphics. 
     It will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that the system may utilize databases physically located on one or more computers which may or may not be the same as their respective servers. For example, programming software on computer  900  can control a database physically stored on a separate processor of the network or otherwise. 
     These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.