Patent ID: 8050997

Claim:
An automated method of determining whether to release funds from an ACH (Automated Clearinghouse) entry before the ACH entry clears, the method comprising: receiving from a user a request to transfer value; retrieving a profile of the user; calculating, using one or more processors, a risk using one or more details from the user profile by computing a risk score, said risk is inversely proportional to said risk score, the risk score indicating a perceived risk involved with releasing funds before the ACH entry clears; if said risk is less than an instant ACH threshold, allowing the user to fund the transfer of value with an instant ACH entry; if said risk is greater than the instant ACH threshold, allowing the user to fund the transfer of value with one of an electronic check, a normal ACH entry, and a credit card; and if the transfer of value is to be funded with the instant ACH entry: initiating a first ACH entry to obtain funds from a financial account of the user; and providing the user the funds before the first ACH entry clears.