Online trading system having real-time account opening

Abstract

In one embodiment, the online trading system having a real-time account opening process comprises one or more computers coupled to a network. The computers maintain a brokerage account database, and service web page requests received over the network. The web pages are preferably configured to implement a real-time account opening (RTAO) process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the account database. The RTAO process may include (a) obtaining contact information; (b) creating a new record in the brokerage account database for the contact information; (c) obtaining brokerage account application information; (d) updating the new record with the application information; (e) displaying a brokerage account contract; and (f) securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract. The process preferably also includes obtaining funding information to automatically initiate a transfer of funds to the brokerage account.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of securing an ownership interest in a publicly traded corporation, wherein the method comprises:
 remotely providing account application information to an online brokerage;   electronically signing an account agreement;   authorizing a real-time transfer of funds; and   placing an online trading order using an abbreviation associated with said publicly traded corporation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the real-time transfer of funds is an automated clearing house (ACH) transfer from a checking account. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the real-time transfer of funds is a credit card charge. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electronically signing includes:
 possessing authority to contract on behalf of a named individual; and   selecting an agreement indicator displayed adjacent to the account agreement, wherein the account agreement specifies said named individual.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said agreement indicator is one of a plurality of indicators displayed adjacent to said account agreement, wherein the plurality of indicators includes a selectable disagreement indicator. 
     
     
         6 . An online trading system that comprises:
 at least one computer coupled to a network and configured to maintain a brokerage account database; and   at least one computer coupled to the network and configured to use a plurality of web page templates to service web page requests received over the network,   wherein the web page templates are configured to implement a real-time account opening process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the brokerage account database.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the real-time account opening process includes:
 obtaining contact information;   creating a new record in the brokerage account database reflecting said contact information;   obtaining brokerage account application information;   updating said new record in accordance with said brokerage account application information;   displaying a brokerage account contract; and   securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the real-time account opening process further includes:
 after securing said online agreement, obtaining funding information relating to a financial account;   automatically initiating a transfer of funds from said financial account; and   updating said new record with a buying power greater than zero.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the real-time account opening process further includes:
 displaying a confirmation page indicating successful completion of the real-time account opening process.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the financial account is a checking account. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the financial account is a credit card account. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said securing is accomplished by an electronic signature. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said electronic signature consists of selection by an individual of an option labeled “I Agree” and displayed in proximity to said brokerage account contract and in proximity to a name of said individual. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the web page templates are further configured to implement a trading order placement process. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 at least one computer coupled to the network and configured to execute a principalling process on new brokerage accounts in the brokerage account database.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the principalling process includes:
 obtaining an account type selection;   providing a list of new brokerage accounts having the selected account type;   obtaining an individual status designation for each of the new brokerage accounts listed, wherein said designation is indicative of acceptance or non-acceptance of the new brokerage accounts;   obtaining a password; and   if the password is valid, updating records of the new brokerage accounts to reflect the individual status designations.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the principalling process further includes:
 storing application information of accepted new brokerage accounts on archival media.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 at least one computer coupled to the network and configured to execute a fraud checking process on new brokerage accounts in the brokerage account database.