Method for defining a relationship between an account and a group

Abstract

Defining a relationship between an account and a group. Accounts corresponding to different products are linked together to create a group so that group processing can be performed at the group level while independent processing of the accounts is performed at the account level. The relationship between a dependent account and the group is specified by a dependent strategy. A dependent strategy specified group level processing options for the account. The relationships between the accounts and the group are flexible to accommodate changes in the status of the group cardholders.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts, wherein the group comprises a first account and a second account, the method comprising:
 receiving an instruction, wherein the instruction comprises receiving an update to information about the group; and   taking an action against the first account based at least in part on the instruction.   
     
     
         3 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the update to information about the group comprises monetary information.   
     
     
         4 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 3 , wherein monetary information comprises:
 a group payment against the group of accounts.   
     
     
         5 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the update to information about the group comprises non-monetary information.   
     
     
         6 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 5 , wherein non-monetary information comprises:
 a change in billing address.   
     
     
         7 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein taking the action against the first account comprises:
 adjusting a process for authorizing transactions on the first account.   
     
     
         8 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein taking the action against the first account comprises:
 adjusting how a group payment against the group of accounts is applied to the first account and the second account.   
     
     
         9 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein taking the action against the first account comprises:
 adjusting who is responsible for a balance due on the first account.   
     
     
         10 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein taking the action against the first account comprises:
 adjusting communications to a cardholder related to the first account.   
     
     
         11 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein taking the action against the first account comprises:
 administering a reward program related to the first account.   
     
     
         12 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein taking the action against the first account comprises:
 assigning a collector to the first account, wherein the collector is determined at least in part by what collector assigned to the group of accounts.   
     
     
         13 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein taking the action against the first account comprises:
 taking the action against the first account further based at least in part on a group processing option, wherein the group processing option specifies:
 actions which are taken against any member of the group; and 
 actions which are taken against only certain accounts of the group. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 2 , wherein the method further comprises:
 taking action against the second account based at least in part on the instruction.   
     
     
         15 . A system for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts, wherein the group comprises a first account and a second account, the system comprising:
 a service provider system for receiving an instruction, wherein the instruction comprises receiving an update to information about the group; and   an issuer system for receiving a direction from the service provider system, wherein the direction comprises an action to be taken against the first account based at least in part on the instruction.   
     
     
         16 . The system for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 15 , wherein the instruction is transmitted directly from the issuer system to the service provider system. 
     
     
         17 . The system for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 15 , wherein the instruction is transmitted indirectly from an agent subsystem affiliated with the service provider system to the service provider system. 
     
     
         18 . The system for independently processing at least one account in a group of accounts of  claim 15 , wherein the instruction is transmitted indirectly from a cardholder affiliated with either the first account or the second account.