Method and system for distribution of unactivated bank account cards

Abstract

The invention comprises a method for distributing dead bank cards to customers who have not solicited a bank card or submitted an application. The dead bank card is a bank card (e.g., ATM card, debit card, check card, and the like) which contains all necessary information to be used, including a pre-assigned bank account number, and which only requires activation/approval by the prospective new bank account customer. In one embodiment, the dead bank card is distributed in connection with live credit cards issued to applicants for credit card accounts. Once operative, the bank card and the credit card may be linked together through a rebate/rewards program.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A system for distributing bank cards, the system comprising:
 at least one computer memory storing at least one database; and   at least one computer processor, accessing the computer memory and executing instructions to perform steps including:
 identifying a pool of potential new bank deposit account holders for a bank; 
 determining if a person from the pool is an existing bank deposit account holder; 
 determining whether the person is eligible for opening a new bank deposit account if the person is not an existing bank account holder; 
 creating a dead bank card comprising a stored value card associated with an inactive stored value account, the dead bank card and the inactive stored value account being unsolicited, the dead bank card including information specific to the person; and 
 distributing the dead bank card from the issuing bank to the person. 
   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the pool is identified based on the region or regions served by the bank issuing the new bank accounts. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the pool is identified based on individuals applying for a new credit account. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the pool is identified based on a life event comprising a move to a new residence. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the pool is identified based on a life event including one of: a marriage or divorce, death of a partner or spouse, and a birth. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein upon activation, the bank funds the stored value account with an initial deposit. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein customer activation of the dead bank card occurs via mobile device. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the pool is identified based on a life event comprising a new phone account. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 41 , further including determining whether the person was a previous bank account holder. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , further including determining why the person closed the previous bank account in the event the person was a previous bank account holder. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the step of determining whether the person is eligible comprises evaluating credit score information supplied by a credit bureau. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the step of determining whether the person is eligible comprises determining whether the person is an existing or past credit card account holder with the bank and evaluating the payment history if the person is an existing or past credit account holder. 
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the step of determining whether the person is eligible comprises evaluating the age of the person. 
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 41 , further comprising the step of prebuilding an account if the person is determined to be eligible, thereby permitting the bank to implement the new bank account quickly upon acceptance of the offer by the person. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the stored value card is a smart card. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 41 , further comprising providing an incentive when the person is an existing or past account holder. 
     
     
         57 . A system for distributing bank cards, comprising:
 at least one computer memory storing at least one database; and   at least one computer processor, accessing the computer memory and executing instructions to perform steps including:
 receiving, via a communication interface, a customer application for a credit card to be issued by a bank; 
 processing the application to determine a decision on the credit card; 
 determining whether the customer is an existing bank deposit account holder of the bank; 
 distributing a live credit card to the customer if the application is approved and the customer is an existing bank deposit account holder; and 
 distributing a live credit card and an unsolicited dead bank card comprising a dead card associated with an inactive account from the issuing bank to the customer if the application is approved and the customer is not an existing bank account holder, wherein the dead card is a stored value card and the inactive account is a stored value account; 
   the dead card and inactive account being unsolicited and the dead bank card being delivered with information specific to the person.   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , further comprising the step of determining if the customer is eligible to be a bank account holder of the bank. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the step of determining if the customer is eligible comprises determining whether the customer resides within the bank account service footprint of the bank. 
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the step of determining if the customer is eligible comprises performing a credit check or risk analysis supplemental to that performed for the credit card application. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 57 , further comprising the step of determining whether the customer is a past bank account holder of the bank. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 61 , further comprising determining the reason the past bank account was closed and evaluating the reason prior to the decision to distribute a dead bank card to the customer. 
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 61 , further comprising the step of providing an incentive to a customer who is not an existing bank account holder, a first incentive being provided to a customer who is not an existing bank account holder and who is not a past bank account holder, and a second incentive being provided to a customer who is not an existing bank account holder and who is a past bank account holder, thereby providing different incentives to new bank account customers and past bank account customers. 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the live credit card and dead bank card are communicated to the customer in a single mailing. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the live credit card and dead bank card are communicated to the customer in different mailings. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the customer activates the dead bank card using a mobile device. 
     
     
         67 . A system for distributing solicited credit cards and unsolicited bank cards, the system comprising:
 at least one computer memory storing at least one database; and   at least one computer processor, accessing the computer memory and executing instructions to perform steps including:
 receiving, via a communication interface, from a customer an application for a credit card to be issued by a bank; 
 processing the application by the at least one computer processor; 
 determining, by said at least one computer processor, if the customer is an existing bank deposit account holder with the bank; 
 distributing a credit card to the customer if the application is approved and the customer is already an existing bank deposit account holder; 
 distributing a credit card and an unsolicited dead bank card from the issuing bank to the customer if the application is approved and the customer is not an existing bank deposit account holder; 
 the dead bank card being unsolicited and delivered with information specific to the person, the dead bank card being a stored value card; and 
   processing a customer response to the dead bank card, wherein the customer response includes interaction with a customer mobile device.   
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the customer response accepts a new stored value account associated with the dead bank card, and wherein the processing comprises funding the new stored value account. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the funding is from a customer-supplied source of funds. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the funding is from the credit account associated with the credit card distributed with the dead bank card. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 68 , wherein the funding is an incentive deposit provided by the bank to incentivize the customer to accept the new bank account. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the credit card and the bank card are linked through a reward or rebate program. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein the credit card is a cobranded credit card offering first rewards or rebates based on credit card usage, and the customer also receives second rewards or rebates based on bank card usage. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the first rewards or rebates and second rewards or rebates are the same. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the first rewards or rebates and the second rewards or rebates are different, thereby offering different levels of incentive to the customer to use the credit card and the bank card. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the credit card is a cobranded credit card offering first rewards or rebates based on credit card usage, and the bank provides the customer an incentive deposit of rewards or rebates to accept the new bank account associated with the dead bank card.