Patent ID: 8145549

Claim:
A data processing apparatus for communicating a multi-tiered offer to apply for a credit instrument, comprising: a processor; a memory operatively connected to said processor, said memory containing a program adapted to be executed by said processor, said program being configured to execute a method comprising: processing credit history data; determining a first plurality of interest rates based on said credit history data using a continuous function or algorithm wherein the first plurality of interest rates is based at least in part on credit risk scores derived from said credit history data; and determining a second plurality of interest rates based on said first plurality of interest rates using a second continuous function or algorithm, said second plurality of interest rates corresponding to a plurality of credit risk scores based at least in part on said credit history data comprising a spectrum of credit risk scores; and an input/output apparatus, operatively connected to at least one of said memory and said processor, for input of the credit history data, and for output of the multi-tiered offer to apply for the credit instrument to an offeree which is communicated in an initial communication with the offeree, said multi-tiered offer disclosing said second plurality of interest rates corresponding to the plurality of credit risk scores, and the plurality of credit risk scores is not specific to the offeree.