MXPA97009743A - Banking system of customer services completely integrated and system and method to open unacue - Google Patents

Abstract

An integrated financial system that includes a single customer account (17) that allows the customer to perform several financial transactions. The account includes at least banking components and brokerage components. A frequent user interface means (10) is provided to allow a customer access to the account from different sources including at least one ATM (12 [2]), one telephone (12 [5]) and one operation of personal cashier (12 [7]). The account is flexible enough to include a variety of other components such as a credit card component, line of credit component, a guaranteed credit component and a money market component. It also describes a system and method for opening a single integrated account for a client in a single session.

Description

BANKING SYSTEM OF CUSTOMER SERVICES COMPLETELY INTEGRATED AND SYSTEM AND METHOD TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT NOTIFICATION OF COPYRIGHT MATERIAL IN THE DISCLOSURE A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the file or patent registrations of the Patent and Trademark Office, but otherwise reserves all copyrights.

REFERENCE WITH RELATED APPLICATION Reference is made to the pending common property application entitled "METHOD AMD SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INTEGRATED BRO ERAGE AMD OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES THROUGH CUSTOMER ACTIVATED TERMINALS", Serial No. 08 / 483,710, filed on June 7, 1995, whose description is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to financial trading systems, and in particular, to a fully integrated customer service banking system, and to a system and method for opening a single account that allows customers to have access to a whole range of global financial services, using a variety of access points.

Background of the Invention In recent years, financial institutions have become increasingly diversified. Banks, for example, now offer a wide variety of products and services that were not previously available. These new products and services fall into two broad categories - new technologies to interact with the financial institution, and new financial services or "PRODUCTS" offered by the financial institution. Innovative technologies to interact with banks include new ubiquitous ATMs and customer-activated terminals (ATM and CAT), and more recently, screen phones, personal computers configured for band, personal digital assistants, voice response systems , and smart cards. The technology that exists today allows bank customers to access their banks from anywhere at any time. Regardless of these technical advances, few banking clients take advantage of the entire range of access points. Financial institutions have also begun to offer a broader range of traditional bank accounts, as well as investment and financial services. The traditional marketing approach of banks has been to try to enroll customers in new accounts, typically checking or savings accounts. Then, when the bank offers additional financial products or services, the bank tries to sell new accounts to customers who have existing accounts with the bank. A barrier caused by the opening of a traditional account and the cross-selling of new accounts is that the client must repeatedly provide the bank with the same data. This is very inconvenient, and the inconvenience is a significant obstacle in the commercialization of financial services. The financial service is very similar to a business of inertia. Once a client opens an account, they have little chance of changing that account due to the effort involved. Most people do not buy financial services. Instead, something happens in a client's life to make a customer make a change or be open to a change. There are moments in life when inertia is overcome; either by changing house, death, forming a family, when a client becomes angry for something so much that the client decides to make a change, or because some other event occurs. Therefore, at the time a customer opens an account, it is open to new components, but it is difficult to open a client again. For this reason, the cross sale of financial services is very difficult. Once a person has a series of accounts, then something has to happen in his life to make him open another account. To overcome these obstacles, the approach of the present invention is to build a relationship with the customer, instead of opening separate accounts for the client. Studies have shown that, as a customer's relationship with a bank expands, the client's balance increases. The present inventors have discovered that, one way to establish a long-term relationship with a client, involves opening a single account in which the client has access to a range of services at the same time. Of course, there have been attempts to provide linked account structures in the past. The Citicard account, introduced in 1976 and 1977, was the first account that allowed four or five accounts to be mechanically linked together. A simple trading account, short-term savings, day-to-day savings, and 90-day savings, checks, and checks plus credit lines, were all linked to the Citicard account. Over the next 10 years, other banks copied this approach and began offering "linked accounts," which are essentially bank accounts of operations with some savings components and perhaps a line of credit - a very traditional banking product. Another significant development was that of asset management accounts, offered by certain brokerage firms. These accounts offered a plurality of guarantee components in a single account. However, brokerage firms could not offer traditional banking services. An example is Merrill Lynch's cash management account (CMA). Aspects of this account are described in the United States Patent Number 4,346,442 to Musmanno; in U.S. Patent Number 4,376,978 to Musmanno; in U.S. Patent Number 4,597,046 to Musmanno et al .; in U.S. Patent Number 4,674,044 to Musmanno et al .; in U.S. Patent No. 4,774,663 to Musmanno et al., and in U.S. Patent No. 5,270,922 to Higgins. The account offered by Merrill Lynch was limited to guarantee operations, and did not include complete banking products. In a similar way, when a client opens a brokerage account, there is no need to open a separate account to trade assets or to trade fixed income. The next development in the evolution of the Citibank account was the so-called asset network account, which included a full range of brokerage services, and in addition, complete banking services. This form of account, originally known as FOCUS, has come to be known as the CitiGold Account. This account, like brokerage accounts, was intended for sophisticated investors. The central feature of the account was to sweep funds towards a money market account on a daily basis. However, this account is not suitable for a broad market account that includes unsophisticated investors. The CitiGold Account also did not include credit cards as a component of the account. The CitiGold was an elite account intended for sophisticated investors. The CitiGold Account system introduced the idea of consistent integration and presentation across the entire range of customer access points, including ATM machines, automated voice response systems, telephone operators, personnel screens, banking in home on a computer, home banking on a screen phone, etc., in other words, at each contact with the financial institution, the client sees the same account presentation and the same ability to make transactions.

Another step in the evolution of the Citibank account was the CitiOne account, introduced in the early 1990s. This account allowed the linking of transaction accounts, certain traditional bank accounts, and bank savings accounts, in such a way that the client could access all these accounts. In some regions, the CitiOne account included loan guarantees or services, such as line of credit services. With the CitiOne account, the customer's accounts could be linked together randomly, so that the different products and services of the financial institution could be linked together, and appear on a client's account statement. This was done on an ad hoc basis, depending on the wishes of the client. The basic features available in the United States were checks, day-to-day savings, and insured money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs) and credit cards. The next step in the evolution was the Citibank Money Management Account (CMMA), introduced around January 1993. The CMMA allows customers to link separate accounts, and perform a wide variety of financial operations, including traditional banking activities, brokerage activities, and loan activities. Again, the client's individual accounts could be linked together to form an ad hoc mix of product characteristics. The system categorized these characteristics into categories such as "your money in the bank", "guarantees", "loans", "credit cards", and the like. In other things, the CMMA allows bank customers the convenience of "one-stop" purchase. Efforts were also made to provide a consistent presentation. For example, in the on-screen telephone and personal computer banking, the top menu was made to look like the same menu of an ATM machine. However, after the initial screen, the systems diverged. Regardless of the opportunities offered by the CitiOne and CMMA accounts, there is still significant room for improvement. Specifically, the present inventors recognize that, although some of the infrastructure already exists, the understanding and concept of a single account that includes all of these features has not yet been achieved. The accounts were still linked on an ad hoc basis, and clients were required to open individual accounts. This required effort to educate customers about these accounts, and to sell these accounts. As with the technological advances in remote delivery products, these new accounts offer the possibility of performing better services for the customer and significant operational efficiencies at a reduced cost. However, again, the potential benefits that will be obtained from using an integrated financial system, such as the Citibank Money Management Account, have not yet been fully realized. There are several shortcomings in the financial systems currently available that could contribute to a less than complete realization of the benefits offered by new technologies and services. To begin with, existing systems are not friendly to the user as they might be. Although clients can access the system in a variety of ways, doing so requires that the client possess certain skills, for example, computer knowledge, or a degree of technical competence that not all potential customers possess. Accordingly, there is a need to simplify the system to access the variety of services. In addition, customers are not always aware of the variety of services offered by a bank. Although banks often advertise and promote these services in their branches and elsewhere, not all customers pay attention to, or are receptive to, these promotional activities. Perhaps in a more meaningful way, promotional efforts do not necessarily reach the client at the time he is open to change.

Therefore, there remains a need for an improved integrated system to provide financial services. More specifically, there is a need for an improved system to access a financial institution, and to establish customer accounts within a financial institution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved system for unhindered access to an integrated financial system. The unique account of the present invention is a broad market account intended for a very wide range of people. The account provides absolute investment capacity, absolute banking capacity, ability to pay bills, loan capacity - basically everything a client would need to do financially. The account may include the provision of insurance and retirement accounts as well. The present invention is characterized by the integration of a variety of services, and a system and method for making those services available to customers. In this way, all services are available to a client at every access point in a consistent manner. To improve the acceptance of this account, it is useful to have a consistent interface through the access points. The consistent interface simplifies maintenance, but is still more important from the customer's point of view. When a bank offers more products, the bank must make it easier for customers to use the new and existing products. A consistent user interface promotes a quick familiarity with new products and technologies. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the broad categories of components to be included are investment services, transaction banking services (money rate accounts secured by bank investments and certificates of deposit), guarantees (assets, derivatives, and mutual funds), annuities, insured loans, unsecured loans, and credit cards. The account may also include insurance components, including property, health, and life insurance components. The account may also include retirement components, including 401K components, and IRA components, all segregated on a tax basis. Accordingly, the system of the present invention has three main characteristics. First, the system allows customers to access a financial institution through a variety of ways, including ATMs, screen phones, personal computers, voice phones, and the like. Second, the system provides a consistent customer interface.

Another difference is that the unique account of the present invention is more comprehensive than the previous accounts. For example, the account of the present invention includes a credit card component, a brokerage component, and the possibility of insurance and withdrawal components. All bank services are included within the single account of the present invention, and not only a selection of services. In addition, the single account of the present invention can be offered globally wherever there is a bank branch. The present invention also provides a system to open the account in a single session, which includes elements to collect data with respect to the financial situation and / or investment of the client, elements to perform a needs analysis based on the data collected, elements for display the account information, elements to make recommendations based on the needs assessment, elements to put a selection of client components, elements to add account components to a single account to build a single account that provides all the desired services by the customer and better meet the needs of the customer, elements to make a credit check, elements to determine a single rate based on the services provided, elements to authorize the use by a customer of remote access products including elements to issue a card bank and an identification code personal; elements to identify missing data, and elements to ask the user to put the data that has not been provided. The system also includes elements to link data fields in each component, so that once a piece of data is collected, the data is provided to all appropriate data fields. In addition, the system is constructed in such a way that the user can derive a data field, and provide the data later in the session. An important aspect of the system of the present invention is that it allows the data to flow up and down through the process, so that once the piece of outgoing data is collected, the data is transmitted to all locations where they are needed. In other words, all similar data fields are linked. This provides several advantages. First, the user (the bank employee) never has to ask the customer for data that he has previously provided even when some other user collects the data. Second, system users have the flexibility to collect data at an appropriate time in their presentation to the client. The system of the present invention also preferably includes a pending file storage element, to store the outgoing data that has been collected but is not immediately needed. In this way, if the data is needed during a subsequent visit by the customer to the bank, the data can be retrieved without asking the customer to provide data that he has already provided. "= * ~ In addition, the system allows the customer to interact with a financial institution that provides a variety of services through many different elements, including ATMs, screen phones, voice telephones, personal computers, branch ATMs etc., without having to learn a new system, in other words, the system always provides a consistent customer interface. account that manages all the money of the client, and that allows the client to perform all operations throughout the day and around the world. In this way, a customer can choose to visit a bank in person, call by phone, or use a computer, and the services available are all of them without altering the customer experience. Each access point is just another window in the financial services accounts. Because the system is fully integrated, it provides operational efficiencies and reduction of cost. In turn, this allows the financial institution to pass the cost savings to the client, which in turn reinforces the client's loyalty and promotes the construction of the relationship. In effect, the present invention promotes a cycle of greater efficiency and cost savings that benefit both the financial institution and the client, and tend to link the client to the financial institution more closely, in a manner that benefits both the client and the client. the financial institution. From the point of view of financial institutions, the system, by offering the advantages to the client, promotes customer loyalty and the construction of the relationship. The present invention changes from cross selling and convincing customers to sign new accounts, and instead, provides the entire range of services in a single account, so that customers merely have to be convinced to use what they already have. The system and process of opening a one-step relationship produces obvious efficiencies, but it has even more significant advantages in terms of customer loyalty and reduction in customer annoyance. From the customer's point of view, when opening the single account, they have a comprehensive financial relationship with the bank, not just a single account with the bank. The client has immediate access to a wide range of financial services that he can use very quickly.

The account of the present invention is intended for a wide range of customers. As such, a critical aspect of the present invention is the provision of fire walls to ensure that customers understand the difference between the collateral and the money insured with FDIC ~ "n the bank. It is also necessary to prevent the non-intended mixture of unsecured guarantees with federally insured deposits. Accordingly, the present invention provides a balance of a single account with careful fire walls between the guarantees and the insured deposits. Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is an integrated financial system that includes a single customer account that allows a customer to perform different financial operations, including at least banking operations and brokerage operations; a user interface element to allow a customer to access the account from a plurality of different sources, including at least one ATM, a telephone, and a personal teller operator, and elements to present a consistent user interface substantially through each operation, regardless of the source used to access the account. The account is flexible enough to include a variety of other components, such as a credit card component, a line of credit component, a guaranteed credit component, and a money market component. Another aspect of the present invention is the provision of a method for opening a single integrated account for a client in a single session, which includes the steps of building a database of data that contains a customer profile that includes demographic information and information. client's financial information, such as credit information and financial goals; conducting a needs analysis based on the information collected; the recommendation of an account based on the needs analysis, and the presentation of information regarding the component of the selected account to the client; the display of an image of a bank state; updating the database to reflect the selection by the customer of at least one component of the account, the display of a second image of a representation of a bank statement whose image is reviewed to reflect the customer's selection, and printing at least one form of registration. The present invention also provides a system for opening an account in a session in an integrated financial system of the type comprising a single account that includes at least one component of a checking account, a component of a savings account, and a brokerage component. The system includes an element to assemble a personal profile that includes an element to collect the outgoing data; an element to build a single customer account that includes elements to build at least one component of a checking account, a component of a savings account, and a brokerage component, and elements to allow data to be collected at any step of the process to flow to all other points where the data is required, so that you do not need to enter the data more than once. Preferably, each component of the single account includes data fields, and the system further comprises elements for transferring the data between the data fields, and elements for putting the data fields in different components that are related, in such a way that the Data entered into a data field can be copied to other related data fields. The system can also include elements to generate multiple warnings for certain pieces of data, in such a way that the user can exercise a personal judgment regarding the appropriate time to collect this data, and pending file elements to store the information that is collected, but that is not needed immediately. The system also preferably includes elements to build other different account components, including a credit card account component, a line of credit account component, a guaranteed credit account component, a money market account component , an insurance account component, and a retirement account component. Finally, the system includes elements to display a representation of a banking state, which are connected to the elements to build a single account, so when the account is built, the representation of the banking state is updated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a high level view of the integrated banking system of the present invention. Figure 2A is a block diagram showing the steps in a preferred embodiment of a method for opening an account with a new customer in the integrated financial system of the present invention. Figure 2B is a block diagram showing the steps in a preferred embodiment of a method for opening an account with an existing customer in the integrated financial system of the present invention. Figures 3A-3C are a flow diagram showing the process involved in the step of account selections / needs analysis in the method shown in Figure 2. Figures 4A-4E are a flow chart showing the preferred embodiment of the process step to build a personal profile in the method illustrated in Figure 2. Figures 5A-5M are a flow diagram showing the preferred process for performing the step of building an account in the method of Figur "a • -. 2au .. Figures 6A-6G are a flow diagram showing the process involved in the step of account services in the method of Figure 2. Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing the process of performing the step of printing an inscription form in the method of Figure 2. Figures 8A-8F are flow diagrams showing the preferred process for performing the step of establishing access levels in accordance with the method of Figure 2. Figures 9A -9B are flow diagrams showing the process of performing the tracking step in the method of Figure 2. Figures 10A-10B illustrate examples of facsimile screen visual displays of account status generated by the system of the present invention. .

Detailed Description Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, as used herein, the term "user" typically refers to a bank employee (such as a personal banker, an elite account consumer bank executive, or a telephone service center representative). consumer banking) that works with a new customer. Also, the term "bank card", as used herein, refers to an access card to the bank, such as a Citicard, and not to a credit card. Figure 1 provides a high level overview of the integrated account system of the present invention. Central to this system is the provision of a single client account 17, which includes a variety of components that make it possible for the client to perform a wide variety of financial operations. These operations can be grouped into general categories, such as money in the bank, guarantees, requesting loans and loans, and credit cards. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the general categories mentioned above are intended to cover the following components: investment services, transaction banking services (banking investments, insured money rate accounts, and certificates of deposit), guarantees (patrimonies, derivatives, mutual funds), annuities, secured loans, unsecured loans, and credit cards. The account may also include insurance components, including property, health, and life insurance components. The account may also include retirement components, including 401 components, IRA components, all segregated on a tax basis. The system also includes a user interface . Figure 1 graphically illustrates the user interface 10 as a single element to illustrate an important aspect of the present invention, i.e., that the customer is presented with a consistent user interface, regardless of how he accesses the system. The implementation of the user interface 10, however, it will possibly take several different forms. For example, in the case of a personal computer, an on-screen telephone, a customer-activated terminal (CAT), or the like, the user interface may include an integrator, and other different known hardware systems. Ordinarily, for example, separate hardware interfaces are used for remote delivery and CAT products. On the other hand, when the client has access to the system in person or by telephone, the user interface is typically a human cashier, personal bank, or a telephone representative. To maintain consistency, the cashier is notified through a workstation screen. Accordingly, the user interface of the present invention may be in the form of a visual display, an audio display, or a bank employee following a system script. Again, the hardware interface between the branch (for ATM services) is very different from the hardware interface for remote access services (personal computers, screen phones, PDAs). But, consistent with the present invention, and regardless of the structural form of the user interface, the presentation that the user sees is consistent. As shown in Figure 1, the user interface can be accessed by clients through a variety of access points 12 (1, 2, ... n). These points of contact include a personal computer (PC) 12 (1), a consumer-activated cashier (CAT), or an ATM machine 12 (2), an on-screen banking (SBT) phone, or an on-screen telephone 12 (3), a voice telephone using automatic voice response (AVR) 12 (4), a tone telephone or PBX 12 (5), a personal digital assistant (PDA) 12 (6), a teller or banker staff using a workstation 12 (7), and a bank telephone representative (USCC) using a workstation 12 (8). The bank statement 12 (9) is also a form of access point, where the user contacts the bank. In summary, the system provides a wide variety of access points to access a consistent user interface, which allows access to an account that provides a range of financial services.

The integrated system of the present invention provides simply opportunities for better customer loyalty, and greater efficiencies for the bank. To take advantage of these opportunities, however, a bank must be able to make existing and new customers use the system. Accordingly, another important aspect of the present invention is the provision of a system and method for opening a single account, which includes a full range of financial components. This process, sometimes referred to as opening a relationship or a one-step account, includes several general steps or stages. These are: account selection, needs assessment, construction of a personal profile, construction of the customer account, selection of customer services, customer registration in remote access services, printing of a registration form, issuance of a card banking, determination of the identity and number of people who have access to an account, and finally, adequate follow-ups. The means to perform these steps include a specially programmed general-purpose computer, a modem, a printer, and a card reader. The computer is programmed to provide a variety of integrated accounts that are effectively (but not really) "wired" with one another, rather than linked on an ad hoc basis. More generally, the system includes elements to collect data regarding the financial and / or investment situation of the client, elements to perform a needs analysis based on the collected data, elements to display the account information, elements to make recommendations based on the needs assessment, elements to put the selection of the client component, elements to display a facsimile or representation of a customer's banking status, elements to add account components to build a single account that provides all the services desired by the customer and better meet customer needs, elements to update the visual display of the facsimile representation of a customer's bank status, elements to perform a credit check, elements to determine a single rate based on the services provided, Elements to enroll a cl in remote access services, including elements for issuing a bank card and a personal identification code; elements to identify missing data, and elements to ask the user to put the data that has not been provided. Figures 2A and 2B show a currently preferred sequence of the process of the present invention, at a high level. In a specific way, Figure 2A shows the process for a new customer, and Figure 2B shows the process for an existing customer. The processes are naturally very similar. The differences reflect the fact that the bank already has basic information regarding existing customers, and the fact that existing customers typically have some familiarity with the services and access devices offered by the bank. In a more general sense, the differences in the steps of the process reflect the difference between the creation of the account and the conversion of the account. As explained below, the sequence of the particular steps can vary without departing from the central objective, that is, opening the account in one step. The preferred embodiment of the system for performing the steps of Figures 2A-2B is detailed in the flowcharts shown in Figures 3A-9B.

CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (GREETING) AND STEP (100) An optional but useful step in the one-step relationship opening method is an initial screen step, which is sometimes referred to as the greeting step. The purpose of this step is to gather the client's preliminary information, and affirm the purpose of the client's visit. When making contact with the bank, typically when entering a branch, a customer is greeted, and gets in a row. This initial greeting step is useful for identifying new customers. For a new client, they will be asked for the name, address, and purpose of the visit. For existing customers, the customer is identified in several different ways: by account number, name (either alone or with the address and zip code), social security number, and bank card, either by entering the number, or by bank card identification and personal identification code entry (PIC). The system includes elements such as a specially programmed general purpose computer or workstation, and an input device (such as a keyboard, card reader, mouse, or touch screen), which allows the user to enter the data obtained from the computer. client. The greeting then creates (in the case of a new customer), or asks (in the case of an existing customer) a profile, which allows the (personal teller or banker) to know as much about the customer as is available; including, but not limited to, information about credit cards, mortgages, tax protections, et cetera. The system of the present invention preferably allows having different levels of access, depending on the needs of the user and the desired flow of clients. For example, a greeter typically has limited access, because the bank would like operations to be completed as quickly as possible. A personal banker, on the other hand, generally spends more time with the client, and therefore, must have greater access. If a greeter does not capture a preliminary identification profile, the system will ask the next user to capture the preliminary profile before doing a credit check. Therefore, the system allows this initial information to be collected in one of two steps. Specifically, the system of the present invention is programmed to allow data entry in relation to a step to flow up or down to other (and preferably all) relevant data fields to be used in others, and preferably all the Steps. The initial greeting step 100, although not a necessary step in the system of the present invention, is useful to achieve the objective of making the process as easy as possible for the client, by not asking for information that the customer has already provided. . The greeter can also determine the purpose of the client's visit, redirect the client to have access to alternatives, and when feasible, meet immediate needs. The initial greeting step also makes it possible for the next user to prepare for the client as discussed below.

REVIEW AND STEP PROFILE SYSTEM (200) Before meeting the client, the user (Personal banker) should review the client's profile to prepare for the sales conversation. The preference system includes a computer for general purposes and / or network work stations for this purpose. Computers or workstations, of course, must include some kind of visual display. The main objective of this profile review is to prepare for a sales session with the client.

SYSTEM TO RESOLVE IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND STEP (300) Clients sometimes come in contact with customer banks for a very specific and simple reason that can be handled quickly, and do not require close personal assistance. Examples include the purchase of a certificate of deposit or a United States Savings Note. In those cases, the client should be served as soon as possible. The system allows this by asking the user to determine if the customer is interested in a simple operation that can and should be handled immediately. For this step, the system includes a programmed general purpose computer or workstation with a visual display or other device to ask the user questions.

ACCOUNT AND STEP TYPE SELECTION SYSTEM (400) After the customer is greeted and the immediate needs are taken care of, the next user greets the customer (usually a personal banker) (if this was not done in Solve Immediate Needs), and the client profile continues in the same system. There will be some basic questions that the personal banker (also the user) can ask the client to determine, in a general sense, the financial needs of the client, and the way to help the client better. In a specific way, the type of account that the client needs is determined (assuming that the bank offers more than one account type). The account opening flow is flexible enough to support a customer interested in opening a piece of an account, such as a certificate of deposit in a short time, as well as a client's desire to spend a longer time discussing their financial needs and open the different components of an integrated account that best fits them. To facilitate this step, the system includes a computer for general purposes or programmed workstation to ask the user to provide certain data, receive the data, and send the data to all relevant fields. Again, the system also includes an appropriate input device to allow the user to interact with the computer.

The discussion with the client will also give the user (typically a personal banker or representative of the customer's bank telephone service center) a sense of the components within the integrated bank account of the present invention, in which the customer is explicitly interested, and the components that the user will need to sell to the client. The system has the flexibility to resolve large differences in customer interactions. To accommodate this need, the system is programmed to allow data to flow up and downstream to any part where they are needed, and through verification at each step, to see if the required data has already been received. For this purpose a programmed general-purpose computer is used, but the computer operates as if the data fields for the component of the account were "wired" with one another. In this way, the data will be requested once and only once at the point of the process that the user finds most convenient. As discussed below, the system also provides a "pending file" to store pertinent information that is collected, but not needed immediately. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the process after the account type selection step is slightly different for new customers and for existing customers. In a specific way, the process for a new client presents each step in sequence. However, for existing customers, the user can choose to deviate from the introduction of the account or the needs assessment step entirely. Again, this allows the user (personal banker) to exercise judgment. However, for both processes, the step is essentially the same, as discussed below.

NEEDS AND PASSES EVALUATION SYSTEM (500) The needs assessment step is essentially a sales tool to allow the user and the customer to choose the best account and the best components of the account for the particular needs of the client. A system used for the Needs Assessment step is flexible, so that the data can be provided in an order that is consistent with the sales experience of the user or representative of the telephone service center and the expressed needs of the client. Again, the system includes a computer programmed to accommodate this need by sending data, upstream or downstream, to all the locations where they are required. In this way, the user can temporarily delay the entry of critical data. The needs assessment step involves entering data in response to more detailed questions that identify the specific needs of the client and / or the sales opportunities for the user. These questions will help the user tailor the integrated bank account for the client. Again, the system is programmed in such a way that the data entry during this step passes through other relevant fields. A description of a modality of the account selection and needs assessment steps is illustrated in Figures 3A-3C. The process can be easily understood by reference to the flow diagram of Figures 3A-3C. However, several characteristics should be noted. As shown in Figure 3A, once the user enters the account selection process, they are presented with a screen that provides a choice to select an account or needs assessment. Therefore, if the customer is interested in a specific type of account, for example, a "Citibank" or "CitiGold" account, the needs analysis process can be diverted. In the example illustrated in Figure 3A, when the user chooses "select an account", the user is presented with a list of available accounts to make an additional selection. On the other hand, if a needs analysis is desired, the user selects "assess needs", and the process detailed in Figure 3C is followed. In the specific modality shown in Figure 3A, a default selection of "Citibank Account" can be selected as well. Figure 3C illustrates an example of the needs assessment process of the present invention. As shown in it, after the user decides to evaluate the needs, they are presented with a menu that follows them to select a particular area, for example, "CREDIT", "FINANCIAL GOALS", "PERSONAL", or by default , "FINANCIAL IMAGE". Depending on the selection made at this point, the user is asked to provide information regarding the specific area selected, or in the case of the selection of "financial image", information regarding a variety of areas. This process continues until the needs assessment is completed. The process for providing the product information is illustrated in Figure 3B. As shown in it, this system allows the user to provide information related to the specific areas of interest to the client. The process can be repeated until all the questions have been answered. At this point, the user can choose to proceed to the personal profile section. Again, flexibility is an important aspect of the system of the present invention. The user may choose not to provide certain information if in his trial the client should not be asked to provide the information at that time. Therefore, data entry will not be required in this step, but some record is made if this step is skipped, so that the data can be collected later. The information captured during the Needs Assessment step is eventually stored in the client's profile, along with the answers to the basic questions of the Needs Assessment. In this way, other users (bank employees) may have access to customer information, regardless of whether the customer touches the bank. As mentioned above, the system of the present invention includes a "pending file" for storing information that is collected, but not immediately needed. More specifically, the preference system includes some form of electronically recoverable storage device. The system can include a number of user sales tools, including a Power Analysis ofLoan that takes advantage of the data collected in this step. For example, a user will have the ability to display or print the pricing information. Other sales tools available include information regarding 24-hour access; financial advice; rates and services. The system is flexible enough to make all these tools available while at the same time allowing the user to quickly skip these sales tools in full. To accommodate PBA pricing information, or any other sales tool, the system includes a computer for general purpose purposes and / or a workstation.

ACCOUNT AND STEP INTRODUCTION SYSTEM (600) For new clients, this step involves an introduction to the different types of integrated accounts offered by the bank. The available components and monthly prices are also discussed preferably. For existing customers, this step involves an explanation of the new integrated account. In addition, a credit check is performed once the user obtains a clear indication that the customer intends to open an account. Typically, credit verification involves two separate steps - an initial screening to see if the customer is among a list of bad clients, for example, a CHEX tracking, and second, a standard credit bureau report. To facilitate credit checks with external services or agencies, the preferred system includes a modem or other type of communication. Ordinarily, the system will conduct both steps of the credit check at the same time, and the responses will be displayed on the same screen. However, in the event that a response can not be obtained (ie, due to system problems), the other response is displayed, and should not be retained until the other response becomes available. The system has the flexibility to enter only the basic parts necessary for credit verification, ie, name, address, social security number, date of birth, and citizenship, and optionally, employment, income, and housing costs. If these identification data have not been obtained previously, they should be captured now. The system is flexible enough to excuse existing customers of this tracking process, if the last credit check (which is stored) was made within the past 12 months, for example. Also, the two steps of the credit check are executed separately, and the system has the ability, given the appropriate right, to void the results of the initial scan. If the user has been able to obtain employment, income, and room information, the system may return a specific loan amount for any products that are part of the qualified credit offer. The amount of qualified credit, if any, will be displayed on the same screen as the credit check responses are displayed. If the client is not qualified, the system allows the user (typically authorized by the credit administrator) to determine if the reason can be canceled, and the account can be opened. If the account is opened, the circumstances of the waiver / cancellation are captured and stored with the customer's demographic information. If the account is not opened, a notice of "type of adverse action" must be printed at the branch or at the customer's bank telephone service center, which shows the name and telephone number of the Chex and / or the credit bureau. from where the information was received, and must be provided to the client. The result of the credit check and the needs assessment is a specific recommendation of an account for components that best serve the client's needs. The system provides the user with sales tools such as a screen or series of screens that will allow the customer to clearly demonstrate the power of the integrated account, its components, and how the customer can have better access to their accounts. Again, the system includes a programmed computer and an appropriate input element to ask the user questions and collect the data to perform this step.

PERSONAL PROFILE SYSTEM AND STEP (700) Once the account selection / needs analysis step is completed, the system proceeds to the Personal Profile Step. During this step, the user will collect any other personal information that has not yet been filled out. Due to the flexibility of the system, the data collected here will vary depending on what has been collected previously. Again, a computer with an appropriate input device is used for this purpose. Preferably a modem or other communication equipment is provided to allow the computer to communicate with external credit bureaus, for example. In some cases, the credit check will be executed during this step, if not executed earlier. Following the personal information, any employment information that has not yet been collected will be filled out. There will be a screen (per account signer) to capture the personal information, and a screen (again, per signer), to capture the employment information. The information included in the employment screen will be the name and address of the current and previous employer, the time with the current and previous employer, the occupation selector, a list of catalogs. In this screen a field will be provided to enter the method of verification of employment, if it is done, and if it is inserted, it will be transmitted to the credit office with the application, in such a way that the verification will not have to be done when it is reviewed. the credit decision. The system for opening an account in accordance with the present invention will also make it possible for the user to capture the client's preferred language for later use, and improvements, such as the inclusion in a magnetic strip of bank cards. If the client is a non-resident foreigner, for example, the account will be indicated, in such a way that this fact and the language of preference will be displayed in the client's profile for a subsequent service. A preferred embodiment of the system and method for performing the personal profile process step is illustrated in the flow chart of Figures 4A-4E. Again, this process begins once the account selection / needs assessment step is completed. As shown in Figure 4A, the process involves collecting identification and information, such as ownership of the account, customer's name, home address and telephone number, citizenship, social security number, and the date of birth. The system includes a computer for general programmed purposes, and / or a work station with appropriate input elements to facilitate this step. As shown in Figure 4A, the system generates and displays before the user, an initial profile screen, showing the necessary data fields, with any data that has already been collected in the field. Accordingly, consistently with the objects of this invention, the client does not need to provide this information again. After the preliminary profile data is collected, the system determines whether a credit check has already been conducted in the previous step. If so, the system moves the process flow shown in Figure 4D, to continue building the personal profile. If the credit bureau has not yet been called, the system asks if there will be additional signatories in the account. If so, then the process reverses the flow shown in Figure 4A, until the preliminary profile data is collected by each of the additional signatories. After preliminary profile data is collected for each signatory, a determination is made about whether to call the credit bureau. If you do not call the credit bureau, you can continue the process, but you can not make a credit offer. If a determination is made to call the credit bureau, then a quality check is made to determine if the data is complete. If not, an error message is generated, and the user is allowed to continue with the pending file. If all the data is complete, then the process continues until the flow shown in Figure 4C. As shown in Figure 4C, this part of the process flow begins with a call to the credit bureau. For this purpose a programmed computer and communications equipment such as a modem is used. The system checks to see if information is transmitted to the credit bureau. In the preferred embodiment, a two-step credit check is performed as discussed. Based on the results of the credit bureau's report, a determination is made as to whether the account is approved. If the account is approved, then the process flow continues as shown in Figure 4D. If a negative determination is made, then the screen with the results of the credit report is displayed, giving the user, a bank employee, the ability to cancel. If the user chooses to cancel the negative, then the process continues as shown in Figure 4D. On the other hand, if the negative decision is not canceled, the user is given an option to print an adverse action report, and the session ends. Figure 4D shows the continuation of the process in the case where the customer account request has been approved. As shown in it, the process begins by asking the client to enter data regarding their employment. If the client has been with the employer for 2 years or less, information is obtained regarding the previous employer. The system continues to request information regarding the work address, work telephone number, and income. If the user wants to rely on additional income sources, then that additional income data is collected. The process is repeated by each signatory of the account. Once the data has been collected for all signatories, the process continues as shown in Figure 4E. The process of building a person profile concludes with a visual display of the profile screen for user identification. If there are more than two signatories, the process is repeated until all signatories are displayed. Finally, a quality check is made to determine that the complete data has been received. If the complete data has not been received, a message is generated, and the user is allowed to continue with the pending file. If the complete data has been received, then the process continues to the next step, that is, to build an account.

ACCOUNT AND STEP BUILDING PRODUCT SELECTION SYSTEM (800) (INCLUDING CREPITO DECISION 800 (810) Another particularly important aspect of the present invention is the element and process for building the account In particular, the present invention provides a visual interface that allows the user and the customer to observe the account as it is being built, Figures 10A-10C show an example of the visual display used in the account construction process, as shown in Figure 10A, the system displays the Account information on a computer screen, on a bank statement reason, ie a facsimile or a representation of a bank statement is displayed.The use of the bank statement reason for the visual display of account construction is a This is an important part of this invention, and is in accordance with the underlying objective of presenting a consistent interface to customers. that the client's banking status looks like it was before the account was built. The example includes the nuclear components, such as checks, savings, IMMA, CD, withdrawal, travel, line of credit, and credit card. Naturally, the status displayed reflects balances at zero for each account. When other components are added to the account as discussed below, they also appear in the displayed state. To build the account, the user selects (through the input device) one of the listed components. For example, if the "checks" component is selected, the system displays a check component construction screen of the type shown in Figure 10B. The screen allows the user to select a particular component, and note the amount that will be credited to the selected component. In the example shown, the user has selected the regular checks component. The system also asks the user to enter an amount to be assigned to the check component that has been selected. For example, if the customer chooses to allocate $ 5,000 to the checking account, the user enters this amount, and returns to the status screen displayed. As shown in Figure 10B, the status displayed is then updated to reflect a $ 5,000 balance of checks. In this way, the client and the user can build the integrated account according to the client's specifications, and observe the account that is being built in a step-by-step manner. In addition, the information is presented in a bank statement format that is consistent with all other customer access points to interconnect with the bank. Once the components of the bank account have been determined, the client tries to fund during the session, and the user will select functions in the account opening screen. To start, the user will select any products that are opened in the session. At this point, the system will automatically assign the component number for the liability components in the customer's bank account. If necessary, you can cancel the automatically assigned number. Next, the user will fill in the necessary details, such as term, initial deposit, and interest rates. Then, the user will enter the account title and any other account-specific data needed (for example, number of signatories required if different from one by default). In Figures 5A-5M a preferred embodiment of the system for building the account is shown. The system includes a general-purpose computer programmed to facilitate these steps. As shown in Figure 5A, the system begins the process of building the account by displaying a status construction screen. Preferably, this visual display provides the user with the opportunity to select each of the components of the integrated account. In the modality shown, the user can select between twelve components. As the components are selected in the account, and the account is constructed, the amounts (deposits, credit) are displayed on the account statement construction screen of the type shown in Figures 10A and 10G, for example. Typically, the quantity for each component, and the pertinent information regarding that component, are provided by selecting the component and following the process for constructing that component. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5A, however, quantities can be entered directly into the account statement construction screen for checks, savings, and guaranteed money market accounts, if desired. As shown in Figure 5A, the system consistently provides the user with the option to return to the previous step, that is, build a personal profile, or preempt the next step, that is, account services. With one of these selections absent, the portion of the system shown in Figure 5A operates in one cycle, where the client selects a particular component, and proceeds through the process prescribed for that component, as shown in Figures 5B-5M. , and then return to the account statement construction screen, which is progressively updated to include the components as they are constructed. If the user selects a check component, the system follows the line shown in Figure 5B. Specifically, the system displays a screen or screens of the check component. Then the user enters the amount that is going to be assigned to the checking account. Then the system asks if there will be different owners or different addresses for the component of the checking account. If so, then the system enters a sub-routine to obtain additional information regarding the different signatories and / or address changes. Again, an important aspect of the present invention is that initially the user is presented with a visual display showing all the outgoing information that has been collected up to then. Therefore, even in the sub-routine, it is only necessary that the client and the user provide information that has not been obtained previously. Once the check account component has been built according to the customer's specification with respect to the owners and addresses, the system provides the possibility to build another checking account component. If a customer chooses to build an additional checking account component, a message is displayed, and the routine is followed again. On the other hand, if the customer chooses not to build another checking account component, then the system returns to the account statement construction screen of Figure 5A, and the user can select another component. If the user selects the savings account component from the account statement construction screen, the system follows the path shown in Figure 5C. The process shown in Figure 5C for building a savings account component is essentially the same as the process for building a checking account component.

In particular, as shown in Figure 5C, the user is asked to enter an amount for a savings account component, and then he is allowed to provide any additional information required with respect to different owners or addresses. Again, this is done through the use of a sub-routine. And finally, the user is allowed to choose the construction of another savings account component. When the savings account component has been built to customer satisfaction, the system returns to the account statement construction screen shown in Figure 5A. When the user selects the Guaranteed Money Market Account (IMMA) component, the process follows the flow shown in Figure 5D. Again the process is similar to that followed for the construction of the components of checking and savings accounts. The user enters an amount of IMMA, and then is given the opportunity to update the information regarding the owners and directions. Finally, the user is given the opportunity to build another IMMA account, if this is what is desired, the process is repeated. Once all the components of IMMA have been built, the process returns to the account statement construction screen of Figure 5A. If the user selects a deposit certificate component, the system follows the flow shown in Figure 5E. Specifically, a deposit certificate screen is displayed, and then the user enters an amount of deposit certificate. The system then asks the user to enter the parameters of the deposit certificate, including the term, the interest payment program, and the deposit instructions. The process is repeated until all the parameters have been entered. Once all the parameters have been entered, the system allows the user to decide on the authorized signatory for this component. This sub-routine begins with a visual display of the authorized signatories, based on the previously collected data. Then the user can add additional signatories. If the additional signatories to be added have already been outlined, no further information is required. On the other hand, if a new signatory is listed, the system indicates that a new signatory is listed, and a profile will be required later. Once the signatories are consistent with the client's intentions, the system allows the user to build another CD component. If the user chooses to do so, the process is repeated. On the other hand, if the user chooses not to build another CD component, the system returns to the account statement construction screen of Figure 5A. If the user selects the IRA / 401K component, the system follows the flow shown in Figure 5F. The flow shown in Figure 5F is of a very high level, consisting only of a visual display of available options, followed by the execution of the process to construct these options. The process for constructing the options, in accordance with the present invention, could be constructed along the lines of the processes shown in Figures 5B-5E to build the components of checking, savings, IMMA, and CD accounts. Once the IRA / 401K component is built to the satisfaction of the client and the user, then the system returns to the account statement construction screen. If the user selects the guarantee or brokerage component, the system follows the flow shown in Figure 5G. Specifically, the system displays a warranty work window that allows the user to enter an assignment date and time, or request a call back. The reason for this is that, typically, information related to the construction of the guarantee component must be handled by a licensed bank employee. If an assignment is made, then the system constructs a guarantee confirmation message, and the system returns to the account statement construction screen. The system also includes an element to limit access to certain authorized or licensed users, to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. For example, the information obtained in the "Brokerage" section will be the "investment information", and any other information that may be specific to the Brokerage. In accordance with the regulations, the "investment information" can only be discussed with a client by a licensed individual. Accordingly, access to this screen will be limited to licensed users. The element to limit the access of preference is a component for general programmed purposes. If the user selects a loan component, such as a checking account with surplus, the system follows the flow shown in Figure 5H. Specifically, an initial determination is made as to whether the credit has been approved. If the credit has not been approved, then the user is not allowed to build this component of the account. On the other hand, if the credit has been approved, the system displays an offer of a surplus checking account, and an option screen, which includes the information regarding the amount of credit available. The customer, through the user, can then accept the amount of credit offered, request an additional credit (in which case, the system must enter a separate procedure, not shown) to seek authorization for the additional amount, choose to accept less credit that offered, or decline the credit. Then the system returns to the account statement construction screen of Figure 5A.

If the user chooses to build an unsecured credit component, the system follows the flow shown in Figure 51. Specifically, an initial determination is made as to whether the credit has been approved. If not, then the user is not allowed to build the unsecured credit component. If the credit has been approved, then the system will display the unsecured credit options and the credit rates. Then the system will carry out the process of construction of unsecured credit component. Once the process is finished, the system will return to the account statement construction screen. If the user chooses to build a guaranteed credit component, the system will follow the flow shown in Figure 5J. Specifically, the system will display the different guaranteed credit options, including the source of equity, fixed-rate home equity loans, mortgages, preferred line, preferred loan, secured loan, loan and student options based on guarantee. The system can also display credit rates and other information. Once a selection is made, the system performs the guaranteed credit component construction process, until all the desired and available options have been constructed, and then the system returns to the account statement construction screen of the Figure 5A.

For some products, particularly the guaranteed credit, there will be additional information that will be required to complete the application. If the credit bureau did not indicate that the client was "qualified for credit," this screen would not be displayed, unless the client made a specific request for a credit product. This screen includes items such as proprietary information, room expenses, government monitoring information / HMDA, and so on. Any information that has been captured as part of the BPA must flow forward to any of the appropriate fields on these screens. Before the credit information is transmitted to a credit bureau for a credit decision, the system will need to perform a quality check on the data that has been entered, to make sure that all the required data has been entered. If any information is missing, the system must request the appropriate information. If the information is available, the user will be given the opportunity to enter it; if it is not available, the ability to put the request "pending" will be provided. In accordance with the present invention, credit decision screens will be accessible within the account opening flow, to eliminate the need to exit the account opening session and enter another system. The user can complete the verifications and any credit actions that are necessary in this series of screens within the account opening process. Verifications completed on a loan product should flow forward to any other loan products in the session. Several factors, such as the size of the line and the type of product, determine the verifications that must be carried out; the verifications carried out are updated on all the products for which the client has requested. If the user chooses one of the credit card options, the system follows the flow shown in Figures 5K-5M. The flow of the system shown in Figures 5K and 5L is identical, and the differences would depend on the differences between the classic credit card and the gold credit card offered by the particular bank. The basic process involved is an initial determination of whether the credit followed by an information screen with respect to the particular card has been approved, and then the user's input to the card, including type of card, is required., line of credit, card holder, additional cards, names, and photo cards. Then a determination of the credit line is made, and the system returns to the account statement construction screen. If the user selects another card that is offered by the bank, a similar flow follows, with the exception that, when the customer selects a particular type of credit card, the client and the user are given the option to transfer a line from an existing bank credit card to this account, or vice versa, from transferring another line of credit to a bank credit card. After this process is completed, the system returns to the account statement construction screen of Figure 5A. This part of the process will be used to ensure that the client is familiar with the different services available. Again, it is believed that a programmed general-purpose computer is the most appropriate element to perform this step. These screens will present another opportunity to review how the customer can use the bank to manage their money and realize the benefits of deepening their relationship with the customer's bank. The screens will need to be a combination of data capture features and products / services to be reviewed with the client, if appropriate. In FIGS. 6A-6G, a preferred embodiment of a system for performing the account services step is shown. As shown in Figure 6A, the system starts by reviewing the previously collected data, to see if the client has been enabled for the check account service with surplus, in which case, that is, it has overdraft protection. If so, an indicator is established, and the system proceeds. If not, the system proceeds without setting the indicator. Next, the system determines whether or not more than one service has been activated during the process of selecting the account. If so, the indicators are set to display highlights on the selected service buttons, on the Citibank account services screen, and the account services screen is displayed. Then the system proceeds to the flow shown in Figure 6B. Although the user can choose to establish a service or obtain information regarding the service. If the user chooses not to establish a service or obtain information regarding a service, the user is provided the opportunity to notice the client's interest in one or more additional services. If the user indicates interest in one or more additional services, the system notices the need to continue on that interest, and proceeds to print the registration form. If the user has indicated a desire to establish a service or obtain information, then the system proceeds to the flow for that particular service. Naturally, banks can provide different services. In the modality shown in Figure 6B, however, the system can provide information or establish automatic transfers, account payment service, direct deposit, immediate access to deposited funds, automatic dividend deposit, secured loan, overdraft coverage, payments automatic, and electronic payments. If the user chooses to establish automatic transfers, the system follows the process shown in Figures 6C and D. In this procedure, the system allows the user to establish automatic transfers, and also recurring transfers, using the procedure shown in Figure 6D. If the user chooses to establish or obtain information regarding the account payment service, the system follows the flow shown in Figure 6E. As shown, the user is allowed to establish paid and special paid standards. If the user chooses to establish direct deposit or immediate access to deposited funds, the system follows the appropriate flow shown in Figure 6F. If the user chooses to establish automatic payments, the system follows the flow shown in Figure 6G. As shown in it, the system allows the user to establish multiple payments for loans and lines of credit, and select the frequency of these payments. In each case, after the particular procedure related to any selected service is terminated, the system returns to the flow shown in Figures 6A and 6B. Then the system proceeds to the access step, where the client is enabled with respect to the different access points available. Here the bank card personal identification code (PIC) will be selected. The Bank by Telephone will be discussed, and TPIC (personal telephone identification code) will be selected. If applicable, checks will be ordered. The system allows the user (personal banker or telephone representative) to register the client in remote access services. A newly-programmed general-purpose computer can be used for this purpose.

The system can provide automatic enrollment in the home banking, and capture the type of personal computer and the client's floppy disk size (if necessary). The components opened and linked with a bank card will also be automatically linked to the home banking. The system must also allow the use of on-screen telephone. A preferred embodiment of the system for performing the ACCESS step of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 8A-8F. As shown in Figure 8A, the process begins with a visual display of the access screen. Then the user is given the opportunity to review or accept the registered account name. A sub-routine for this process is shown in Figure 8D. The system then enters a personal identification number (PIN) entry routine, as shown in Figure 8D. If the account is a joint account, the name acceptance routine and the personal identification entry routine are performed for the second name of the account. Then the system can enhance and issue bank cards for customers. This step can also be deferred. To facilitate the enhancement, the preference system includes a conventional embossing machine linked to a computer for general purposes. If the enhancement is not successful, the system will perform an error screen process, but allow the global flow to continue. The flow continues as shown in Figure 8B. Specifically, the system allows the selection of a telephone personal identification code that is verified. The process proceeds for any joint signatories, and then the process continues as shown in Figure 8C. Here, the customer is given the option to remotely access the bank through the personal computer. If the user accepts the service, a determination is made as to whether the client knows all the parameters of his computer. If so, the relevant parameters are entered, such as computer type, floppy disk size, modem type, and modem speed in the system. If the client does not know one or more of these parameters, a screen is made with respect to the follow-ups that will be required, and the information is stored to be used in the follow-up step. Then the system proceeds as shown in Figure 8E. At this point, the customer is given the opportunity to access the bank using a screen telephone, and the system takes note of the customer's choice, and then proceeds as shown in Figure 8F. Here, the customer is allowed to order checks. The system starts by displaying a default order of checks, and giving the user the opportunity to change the personalization. This pertains to information such as name, address, billing information, and email address. The user is then given an opportunity to tailor the default order, and subsequently the user has the opportunity to order checks. Then the process proceeds to the step of special instructions or the wrapping process shown in Figures 9A and B.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTION SYSTEM AND STEP (1000) This step of the process is used to collect any remaining data, and to deal with any special account situation that has not yet been addressed in the account opening flow. This would include points such as: "best time to call," "not to make contact," "not share data with other affiliates," "email address," "preferred mail greeting," and so on. The system can also assist to close accounts in other institutions. The system can include a printer and a computer, which would generate the printing of a collection letter to be sent to the other institution. The system also accommodates the appointment of a Power of Attorney by transmitting the status of the "Power of Attorney" to the account, eliminating the need for file maintenance the next day. The user can also establish an appointment with an Investment Advisor, if the user does not have a license or establish an appointment with a Mortgage Advisor. The client's request for any changes can be accommodated. A preferred embodiment of the tracking process is shown in Figures 9A-9B. The system starts by displaying the necessary information to close and verify different accounts. Again, the system allows both the upstream and downstream of the data, so that only the information not previously provided is requested in this step. The system also provides the opportunity to display information regarding the manner in which contact can be made with the client, and gives the opportunity to display appointments.

Finally, the system prints the remaining points necessary to complete the opening of a fully integrated single account.

PRINT / TRANSMISSION AND STEP SYSTEM (1100) After all the information has been obtained, or the establishment has been completed, the system proceeds to the step of printing an enrollment packet. The Print function would generate any necessary document that the client needs to sign, as well as any document that needs to be sent to other units / individuals that can not communicate with the Banking Relationship System electronically. This would include, for example, Mortgage references, and land, Tax Protection applications, elite account requests, Brokerage application, Investment Guarantee Recognition, Collection Letters, Signature Card, Adverse Action Notice, Credit Disclosures. Ready, insurance forms, and pass books. To accommodate this step, the system includes a printer linked to a computer for general purpose purposes. The client will be asked to review all critical demographic information about himself, such as name, address, employment, telephone numbers, and so on. This registration report will display the accounts opened in the session, with the balances of the opening day. For the customer's bank account, account numbers, opening deposits, fees, and installments will be displayed in the relevant section of the statement. The primary difference between the branch and the customer's bank telephone service center is that the customer is not physically present to sign any documents, or to take out leaflets. This means that the compliance area of the customer banking telephone service center will need to mail the documents to the customer. In Figure 7 a preferred embodiment of the process for printing an enrollment form is illustrated. As shown in it, the system initially confirms that the printer is on. If the printer is not turned on, the system can not proceed until the printer is turned on. The system instructs the printer to print an enrollment form, and confirms that the printing has been successful. Again, if the printing is unsuccessful, the process can not go ahead, and would ordinarily repeat itself if the reason for an unsuccessful impression has been identified. After confirming that the registration form has been successfully printed, the customer is asked to sign the registration form. If the client does not sign the registration form at that moment, such as when the transaction is made by telephone, the request is saved in the pending file.

SESSION (TRACKING) AND PASSAGE (1200) SLEEPING SYSTEM Finally, the system enters the session envelope. All appropriate documentation will be signed by the client. The account opening information will have to be able to go to Fiscal Protection or a Mortgage Adviser if the situation guarantees it. The requirement is to make the reference systematically, instead of using a paper copy. If the follow-up session will be established for the client, the user will have the option to print a reminder of the appointment to give to the client. This document will include the date and time of the appointment (if available), the purpose of the appointment (as an entry by the user through a free data entry field), and the name of the client's banker with which will meet the client. If a specific appointment date / time can not be established, an indication that the banker of the named customer will make contact with the customer. This document must include the name and email address of the client, so that it can be put in an envelope with a window to be sent to a client if the opening of the account was handled by telephone. After the client leaves, the user can enter notes freely from the Basic Needs Assessment; retrieve and review the responses to the Detailed Needs Assessment, and update the responses as necessary; transmit the Basic and Detailed Needs Assessment information.

PENDING FILE During the flow of the Account Opening, the ability to put the session pending will be available. The main locations in the flow where the pending process will be most frequently invoked, is before transmission to the Credit Office (if SSN is not available), or after it is indicated that the Quality Control verification is missing and the necessary information. The client may also need to leave due to a time restriction that could result in a need to stay pending at any point. A client may also only have to go through the Needs Assessment, and may want to return to continue the application process at a later date. The system makes it possible to leave a portion of the session pending, such as brokerage, and transmit the remaining components, such as consumer banking. When an existing client is outlined in the Greeting function, if there are pending sessions for that client, that fact is noted in the profile. If the user (greeter) does not profile the customer, they should still be able to pull any pending application through a pending points function. The Pending will have multiple ways to be accessed, which include by name of the Client, by user identification, by Branch, and by product. The pending application will be presented to the user in the flow of the Account Opening screen. The user must also be allowed to perform a Quality Control check, to have the system identify the missing points that are needed before transmission to the plant. The customer will have the option to go to a branch of their choice to finish the account opening. The branch staff would also have access to these pending applications. The workstation screen must also indicate to the Client's Representative that there are Pending points of the client when it is put to the client in the "Identify Client" screen. Accordingly, by virtue of the integrated account and account opening system of the present invention, the client will be offered all the components of the Bank Account. The process will be flexible enough to support the client who wants only one component, to those interested in the complete offer. Once the client data is entered into the system, the client will never have to repeat the same information to any bank employee.

During the account opening session, information will flow unobstructed among bank employees (users), to improve the customer experience. Data about existing customers can be easily made available at all customer contact points, subject to legal restrictions on shared data that may exist. The ability to issue a bank card to all customers will be provided, even when the only activated component is a Passbook Savings Account or Certificate. The bank card is used as the customer identification in the Cashier's Window or by telephone in the telephone service center, and will be available to link new components when they are activated. As a result, customers will use more of the components of the integrated account. This should generate an increase in revenue, and better customer satisfaction, maximize the time of sale available to the branch staff, and provide the telephone service center with functionality identical to that of the branch.

Claims (17)

1. A method to open a single account integrated for a client in a single session, which includes the steps of building a database that contains a customer profile that includes demographic information and the client's financial information, such as credit information and the financial goals; perform a needs analysis based on the information collected; recommend an account based on the needs analysis, and present the information regarding the component of the selected account to the client; display an image of a bank statement; update the database to reflect a selection by the customer of at least one account component, displaying a second image of a representation of a bank account statement, whose image is revised to reflect the customer's selection and print at least one form of inscription.

2. An integrated financial system, which comprises: a single customer account that allows a customer to perform different financial transactions, including at least banking and brokerage operations; a user interface element to allow a customer to access the account from a plurality of different sources, including at least one ATM, a telephone, and a personal teller operation; an element to present a substantially consistent user interface through each operation, regardless of the source used to access the account.

3. The integrated financial system of claim 2, wherein the single account includes a credit card component.

4. The integrated financial system of claim 2, wherein the single account includes a credit line component.

5. The integrated financial system of claim 2, wherein the single account includes a guaranteed credit component.

6. The integrated financial system of claim 2, wherein the single account includes a money market component.

7. In an integrated financial system of the type comprising a single account that includes at least one component of a checking account, a component of a savings account, and a brokerage component, a system for opening an account in a session, comprising elements to assemble a personal profile that includes elements to collect the outgoing data; elements to build a single customer account that includes elements to build at least one component of a checking account, a savings account component, and a brokerage component, and elements to allow data collected at any step of the process to flow toward all other points where the data is required, so that you do not need to enter the data more than once.

The system of claim 7, which further comprises elements for generating multiple warnings to request certain pieces of data, in such a way that the user can exercise a personal judgment with respect to the appropriate time to collect that data.

9. The system of claim 7, which further comprises a pending file element for storing information that is collected, but not immediately needed.

The system of claim 7, wherein each component of the single account includes data fields, and the system further comprises elements for transferring the data between the data fields, and elements for putting the data fields into different components that they are related, in such a way that the data entered in a data field can be copied into other related data fields.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the item for building an account comprises an item for building a credit card account component.

The system of claim 7, wherein the item to build an account, comprises an element to build a credit line account component.

The system of claim 7, wherein the item for constructing an account comprises an element for building a guaranteed credit account component.

The system of claim 7, wherein the item for constructing an account comprises an element for constructing a money market account component.

The system of claim 7, wherein the item for constructing an account comprises an element for constructing an insurance account component.

16. The system of claim 7, wherein the item for constructing an account comprises an item for constructing a withdrawal account component. The system of claim 7, which further comprises an element for displaying a representation of a bank account statement, this element being to display a representation of a bank account statement that is connected to the item to build a unique account , where, as the account is constructed, the representation of the bank account statement is updated.