Method and system for handling method level processing in connection with cardholder account processing

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for managing a financial account in which account information is maintained, including a set of account parameter values and a specification of a default account processing strategy. Account usage information is received for the financial account and is used in combination with the account parameter values to make a determination whether to override at least a portion of the account processing strategy. In addition to implementing the override, the set of account parameter values may be changed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for managing a financial account, the method comprising: 
 maintaining account information for the financial account, wherein the account information includes a set of account parameter values and a specification of an account processing strategy;    receiving account usage information for the financial account; and    making a determination whether to override at least a portion of the account processing strategy by applying a decision method that considers the account parameter values and the account usage information.    
     
     
         2 . The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising changing the set of account parameter values in accordance with the determination.  
     
     
         3 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the account usage information comprises a history of transaction information.  
     
     
         4 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein the account usage information comprises a history of payment information.  
     
     
         5 . The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising issuing an instruction to include a statement insert with a statement for the financial account in accordance with the determination.  
     
     
         6 . The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising issuing an instruction to offer an upgrade of the financial account in accordance with the determination.  
     
     
         7 . The method recited in  claim 1  further comprising issuing an instruction to provide a reward in accordance with the determination.  
     
     
         8 . The method recited in  claim 7  wherein the reward is to be provided in response to a specific transaction.  
     
     
         9 . The method recited in  claim 8  wherein the specific transaction comprises a charitable contribution.  
     
     
         10 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the decision method is defined by a lookup table; and  
 making the determination comprises: 
 accessing an entry in the lookup table, the entry being defined according to the account usage information and the account parameter values; and  
 implementing an operation specified by the entry.  
 
 
     
     
         11 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the decision method is defined by a plurality of lookup tables; and  
 making the determination comprises: 
 accessing an entry in a first of the plurality of lookup tables, the entry in the first of the plurality of lookup tables being defined according to one of the account usage information and the account parameter values;  
 accessing an entry in a second of the plurality of lookup tables, the entry in the second of the plurality of lookup tables being defined according to the other of the account usage information and the account parameter values, wherein the second of the plurality of lookup tables is identified by the entry in the first of the plurality of lookup tables; and  
 implementing an operation specified by the entry in the second of the plurality of lookup tables.  
 
 
     
     
         12 . The method recited in  claim 1  wherein making the determination comprises determining to remove a previous override instruction for the portion of the account processing strategy.  
     
     
         13 . A computer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program embodied therein for directing operation of a computer system including an input device, a processor, and a storage device, wherein the computer-readable program includes instructions for operating the computer system to manage a financial account in accordance with the following: 
 maintaining account information for the financial account on the storage device, wherein the account information includes a set of account parameter values and a specification of an account processing strategy;    receiving account usage information for the financial account with the input device; and    making a determination with the processor whether to override at least a portion of the account processing strategy by applying a decision method that considers the account parameter values and the account usage information.    
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 13  wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for issuing an instruction to include a statement insert with a statement for the financial account in accordance with the determination.  
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 13  wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for issuing an instruction to offer an upgrade of the financial account in accordance with the determination.  
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 13  wherein the computer-readable program further includes instructions for issuing an instruction to provide a reward in accordance with the determination.  
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 16  wherein the reward is to provided in response to a specific transaction.  
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 17  wherein the specific transaction comprises a charitable contribution.  
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 13  wherein: 
 the decision method is defined by a lookup table stored on the storage device; and  
 making the determination comprises: 
 accessing an entry in the lookup table, the entry being defined according to the account usage information and the account parameter values; and  
 implementing an operation specified by the entry.  
 
 
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable storage medium recited in  claim 13  wherein: 
 the decision method is defined by a plurality of lookup tables stored on the storage device; and  
 making the determination comprises: 
 accessing an entry in a first of the plurality of lookup tables, the entry in the first of the plurality of lookup tables being defined according to one of the account usage information and the account parameter values;  
 accessing an entry in a second of the plurality of lookup tables, the entry in the second of the plurality of lookup tables being defined according to the other of the account usage information and the account parameter values, wherein the second of the plurality of lookup tables is identified by the entry in the first of the plurality of lookup tables; and  
 implementing an operation specified by the entry in the second of the plurality of lookup tables.