Patent ID: 7716130

Claim:
One or more computer-readable storage media on which is embedded one or more computer programs, said one or more computer programs implementing a method for a settlement bank to settle an order for a customer so that the customer obtains an early payment discount for the order from a supplier by paying the supplier by a funds provider via the settlement bank within a predetermined time, the one or more computer programs comprising a set of instructions for: electrically establishing, by the settlement bank, a record of a settlement bank agreement with the customer for settling the order placed by the customer with the supplier by paying the supplier using funds provided by the funds provider, the record comprising an interest rate; electrically receiving, by the settlement bank, a payment message from the customer to make a discounted payment to the supplier for the order on a first date using funds from the funds provider, the discounted payment being an amount equal to a cost for the order less the early payment discount, the early payment discount being based on a fiscal attribute of the customer; and after the payment message is received by the settlement bank, paying the discounted payment, using funds obtained from the funds provider, by the settlement bank to the supplier for the order by the first date, wherein after the first date, the funds provider electronically receives from the customer by a second date a negotiated payment equal to the discounted payment plus a service fee established between the customer and the funds provider and an interest amount calculated from the interest rate established between the customer and the funds provider based on a time period between the first and second dates.