Abstract:
A securities transaction performance framework for developing an evaluation system directed toward the securities industry. The framework comprises a compilation of Broker demographics, a compilation of Broker performance data, a compilation of Client Portfolio information, and a compilation of periodic Transaction data including volume of Transactions, commission charged, and associated Broker information. The data compilations interface with a Broker Master to correlate a Broker to a statistical database as requested by the user. The Broker Master correlates financial statistics from Transaction data to Broker demographics and performance data so as to provide a performance evaluation system. Transaction data is stored in a secure environment and is able to provide historical analysis upon request of the end user.

Description:
The field of the invention relates to a computer information system directed to the securities industry; more specifically the computer system is designed to focus on performance, evaluation, and management within the securities industry. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The retail securities industry over the past several years has undergone radical changes, particularly with the advent of discount Brokerage and “on-line trading”. Retail investors now have a plurality of options when selecting a desired method of investment execution and advice. The options range from self-directed on-line trading to, in the other extreme, investing through a retail “full service” Brokerage firm. The advent of Discount Brokerage and an increasingly sophisticated Client has caused individual full service Brokers to discount price for their services and Transactions frequently below the “list price” or calculated price of their employer. A full service Brokerage may involve physical interaction (in person) with a specific Broker and/or with an electronic agent (“E-agent”). E-agents, essentially a virtual broker, conduct electronic negotiations that lead to an intermediated exchange/trade. Often, Brokerage firms themselves, use a cross network intermediated exchange through an electronic intermediary in order to buy and/or sell a given amount of a given security at a given price. Further, in more complex forms, an exchange may have multiple participants. 
   As the size and complexity of commerce and investment has grown, participants have become less interested in single securities or lists of specific securities and are becoming more interested in expressing their investments as Portfolios of securities. In turn, the lists of securities and Portfolios become more and more detailed resulting in a greater need for a means of monitoring both securities performance and Broker performance. 
   There is a growing need amongst the securities industry to implement a performance evaluation framework such that Brokers and salespeople can monitor their own personal performance and the firm, in turn, can monitor the performance of individual Brokers, individual Clients, and a plurality of other variables. These variables include branches, colleagues, regions, products, securities types, and the like. The industry lacks meaningful comparative evaluations other than gross production, commissions earned, and revenues. There is no central exchange where information relating to individual and company participants in the securities industry is pooled, transformed, and made available in order to improve the efficiency of pricing and client management. 
   It is an object of the present invention to obviate and/or mitigate at least some of the above mentioned difficulties. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention provides a securities Transaction framework for developing an evaluation system directed toward the securities industry. The invention is intended to be a tool to aid full service retail securities Brokerage firms and their advisors to both manage and improve the pricing of their services and the management of their clients. The present invention provides a performance evaluation framework for measuring discretionary price behaviour for securities Brokers. The securities Transaction performance framework, in the preferred implementation will comprise a compilation of broker demographics, a compilation of Broker performance data, a compilation of Client Portfolio information, and a compilation of periodic Transaction data including the volume of Transactions, commissions charged and related Broker information. Transaction data will be stored in a secure environment and is able to provide historical analysis upon request of the end user. 
   In the preferred embodiment, a Broker Master compiles Broker demographics and Broker performance data, interfaces this data with both the Client and Transaction data, and generates statistical data as requested by the user providing a means for self evaluation of each Broker. The system is designed such that the user may query the system and the system will return a data table containing the requested financial statistics. The system is used by individual Brokers to monitor their performance as compared to peers, other framework participants, and the industry as a whole. In turn, the system may also be used to monitor Client and firm performance in the securities industry. 
   Preferably, a set of criteria is generally applied to the Broker data in order to correlate and rank individual. Brokers according to the number of Transactions per period and number of months licensed so as to produce a resultant ranking which is then allocated by a peer group. These peer groups are based on length of service in the industry, or experience, and correlate the financial statistics from Transaction data to specific peer groups so as to rank each Broker performance within a peer group. Further, each Client is assigned a Client attractiveness value (CAV) which is based primarily on the total number of assets in all accounts. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the framework provides at least three sets of pricing information. Data tables generate list prices for particular services of both discount brokerage and full service brokerage firms, comparisons amongst market prices and price ranges of specific firms, comparisons for individual Brokers of price charged and number of months experience in the industry, etc. 
   The larger the number of participants in the securities industry, the greater the need for pricing efficiency. Exchanges allow participants to get the best price from many sellers when buying, and to get the best price from many buyers when selling. The transaction framework allows the sellers of securities, execution services, and advice to determine their price by comparing that price with, the price of other sellers that have sold similar services; and to the price of other buyers that have purchased similar services. This framework further facilitates the direct comparison of their price to the price of individual discount Brokerage firms. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for providing a securities Transaction performance framework corresponding to a plurality of data files, the files being stored it, a central repository, and each of the files being associated with an associated Broker or a Client, the method comprising the steps of:
         a) Creating a plurality of Master files containing Broker demographics, Broker performance, Client information, and periodic Transaction information.   b) Assigning a value for the number of Transactions per period to be equated with a normal Portfolio type and, a value for the number of Transactions per period to be associated with an active trading Portfolio type.   c) Assigning a ranking to each Broker based on the number of months licensed and correlating the Broker rank and the Portfolio type to develop a series of peer groups based on a specific range of months licensed and a respective trading Portfolio type.   d) Assigning a Client attractiveness value (CAV) ranking for each Client. The CAV is representative of the value of assets in all accounts. CAVs are ranked on the basis Fat an asset value is equivalent or greater than a particular threshold value, and in turn, is assigned a specific ranking.   e) Creating a Transaction Master file comprising statistical data for each Client with regard to the number of Transactions, commissions charged, etc. and, for each Broker, the principal number of units traded, commissions charged, etc.       

   Using the compiled data from the aforementioned method, a number of statistical and financial data tables may be generated depending on the desired information of the end user. The data may include both U.S. and Canadian securities information and Transaction activity, with will be updated on a regular basis. The data may be uploaded, from each firm, then reformatted, and analyzed so as to provide price market data in a user-friendly format. 
   The transaction framework provides a means of comparing variables having like characteristics. It allows for the evaluation of best/worst practices between comparable entities, comparable entities being like variables. The transaction framework further provides a central exchange where information is co-mingled. While the stock market provides current and up-to-date transaction information as it relates to the price of a security, the transaction framework provides real time pricing of a transaction as it relates to a specific customer as opposed to the price of a security. This particular element introduces transparency to the framework such that it provides an illustration of the trading/exchanges within the market to framework participants. The element of transparency enables brokers to evaluate the price of like commodities sold by themselves as well as their competitors and increase pricing efficiency. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram detailing a securities Transaction performance framework for the development of an evaluation system; 
       FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram detailing the communication hierarchy and interaction of the Broker Master of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram detailing the interaction of the account Master of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of resultant information produced by the Broker Master; and 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic of the securities Transaction framework for developing an evaluation system. 
   

   Prior to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, the following list of terms will be used herein, these terms; are said to have following meaning:
         Broker: refers to a financial consultant or investment executive in the securities field, a Broker may be a physical person or an electronic agent, and may be licensed or work as an assistant for a licensed Broker;   Client: refers to a person using the services of a Broker, or maintaining an account with a Brokerage firm;   Transaction: is any exchange of information, currency exchange, opening/closing of an account, buying, selling, assigning or exercising of a security, etc; and   Portfolio: refers to a plurality of commodities that may be invested in, or held by a Client in a single instance.   Master refers to a general table for storing and manipulating, Broker, Transaction and Client data.   P.P. ratio: refers to Price to Principal ratio, which is equal to the price charged, in whatever form, commission, fee, or spread, divided by the principal value of the transaction   P.R. ratio: refers to Price Realization, which ratio is equal to the scheduled price or commission less the discount or plus a premium, divided by the scheduled price or commission.       

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 , a performance framework within a programmed computer system  10  receives data from a plurality of Brokerages,  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c  . . . and directs it to a set of Master files containing Broker demographics  12 , Broker performance  14 , Client information  16 , and periodic Transaction information  18 . Each set of Master files  12  through  18  has at least one interface to a Broker Master  20 . The Broker Master  20  then correlates the information contained within these Master files  12  through  18  in order to generate statistical data as requested by the user. Information from Master files may be amalgamated into sub sets of data, as indicated by Broker information  22  which results from correlating Broker demographics  12  with Broker performance  14 , as shown more fully in  FIG. 2 . The data in Client information  16  is opened, cleaned, verified and reorganized into an account Master  24 . Similarly, periodic Transaction information  18  is also opened, cleaned, verified and reorganized and becomes a Transaction Master  26 . The identity of the source of the information is encrypted to ensure anonymity. The Broker Master  20  provides a computational engine to correlate financial statistics from the periodic Transaction information  18  and to link this information to specific Broker demographics, Clients, and performance, for evaluation. 
   Broker demographics  12  typically comprise information such as Broker numbers, Broker names, associated branches, the number of months licensed, etc. whereas Broker performance  14  typically includes periodic revenues of each Broker, the Broker targets, differentials between actual revenue and target revenue, etc. To facilitate the evaluation, the Broker Master  20  establishes nominal delineations and associated criteria. The resultant peer groups 1 through 8, and shown on  FIG. 2  as numbers  41  through  48 , serve as a mechanism to evaluate Broker performance. 
   In the example shown in  FIG. 2  the Broker Master  20  establishes a Portfolio table  30  which designates Portfolios into two types, namely a Normal type  31  with less than 100 Transactions per period and an Active Trading type  32  for 100 or more Transactions per period. Criteria  31   a ,  32   a  respectively which can be obtained primarily from the Broker Master  20  are assigned to each type. 
   Similarly, the Broker Master  20  establishes designations of Brokers based on the months of licensing, indicated as a Tenure table  34 , which is information primarily retained in the Broker demographics  12 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , designations, “rookie”,  35 , “builder”,  36 , “established”,  37  and “experienced”,  38  are provided and different lengths of service accorded to each. 
   The Broker Master  20  utilizes the two sets of designations to establish a peer group table  40  with eight peer groups,  41 – 48  respectively. The peer groups  41 – 48  combine the designations of the tenure table  34  and Portfolio table  30  so that each peer group has a distinctive set of criteria applied. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the account Master  24  utilizes the information in the Client information Master  16  to accord a Client attractiveness value (CAV)  50  designation to each Client. The Client attractiveness value (CAV)  50  is ranked according to the total assets in each investment account. For example, a Client attractiveness value (CAV)  50  given a ranking 5 is associated with a total asset value of $500,000.00 or greater. The account Master  24  utilizes information in the Client information  16 , such as a social insurance number (SIN) to group different accounts each of which has its own account number to the same Client when calculating the CAV  50 . The account Master  24  is linked by the assigned account number to the Transaction Master  26  and therefore is able to correlate the CAV  50 , Transaction data, and the Client within a Client file database  23 . The Transaction Master  26  contains information which is classified according to each account and includes the number of Transactions per period, average principal in the account, average commissions charged to that Client, the average scheduled commission, the P.P. ratio and P.R. ratio. 
   The interactions of the Broker Master  20  with the client master  23  enables initial reports to be prepared. The Broker Master  20  accesses the account Master  24  to ascertain the market value of Clients for which the Broker is responsible and the number of accounts under his control. 
   Similarly, the Broker Master  20  obtains from the Transaction Master  26  for each Broker, the principal, charged commission scheduled commission, the P.P. ratio; P.R. ratio and number of Transactions completed. 
   The Broker Master  20  may then rank the Brokers by the P.R. ratio or may subdivide the Brokers into the peer group designations and assign a rank within each peer group. A simple ranking of performance of an individual Broker may then be obtained. 
   The correlation of information in each of the Master files,  12  through  18 , through the Broker Master  20  also enables a number of different reports to be provided as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
   By utilizing the peer group designations, a peer group price file  21  may be generated which provides averages of performance within each peer group. Thus average data on the number of Transactions, principal, commissions, both charged and scheduled, P.P. ratio and P.R. ratio can be prepared. The performance of an individual Broker may then be compared on the average data used to establish targets. 
   Alternatively, the CAV  50  accorded to each Client in Client file  23  may be utilized to establish average values for performance within each CAV  50  designation. Performance based on CAV  50  may be evaluated for each broker, generating a CAV price file  25 . Performance may also be compared between brokers in a peer group, generating a Peer Group CAV price file  27 . 
   The subdivision of performance data within the peer group and CAV  50  designations further facilitates the establishment of evaluation criteria by allowing the organization of information by CAV  50  designation and for each peer group. Thus the performance of, for example, an experienced Broker with a Client having assets in a particular value range may be obtained. 
   Of particular interest in the reports are the realized commissions that are attained for different designations of Client. The commissions charged are, to a certain extent, discretionary. The collection of information from multiple sources and its organization by CAV  50  designation permits a Broker to ascertain the range of commissions that are attainable within that group and the pricing of their services relative to others in their branch, region, firm, and framework participants. 
   The data contained within the Master files,  12  through  18 , may be updated on a regular basis, such that the data remains current. The data may also lend itself to both the US and Canadian securities information. The framework (embodied in the programmed computer system  10 ) in its preferred embodiment is intended to be a real-time based tool for measuring the discretionary price behaviour for security Brokers. The programmed computer system  10  is designed in order to facilitate the smooth running of a firm within a securities business. The programmed computer system  10  is used to segment a business into desired categories, focus on specific Clients, tracking of assets and accounts, measurement of revenue growth, and serve as a comparison tool for Clients, firms and the like. The end tables generated may be used in periodic management reports, firm periodic reports, or by individual Brokers. 
   Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.