Patent ID: 8396786

Claim:
A method for facilitating exchange of institutional research and trade order execution services between an asset manager and a broker, the method comprising: tracking, using a research exchange unit accounting computer processor, trade orders executed by the broker on behalf of the asset manager; crediting the asset manager with an amount of research exchange units corresponding to a value to the broker of the trade orders executed by the broker on behalf of the asset manager and tracking the asset manager's total research exchange units with the broker, wherein the total research exchange units are redeemable by the asset manager for research items of the broker; receiving a research item of the broker; storing the research item; receiving a research exchange unit value for the research item; receiving a selection by the asset manager of the research item; and delivering the research item to the asset manager and subtracting from the asset manager's total research exchange units an amount of research exchange units equal to the research exchange unit value for the selected research item.