Automated credit application system

Abstract

A computer based credit application processing system provides a graphical user interface, automatic software update downloading, lender to lender routing of credit applications, and integration with in-house finance and insurance systems and third party data entry facilities, among other features. Web site linkage is also accommodated.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A distributed computer program product having a plurality of program steps some of which are to be executed on each of a terminal at a dealer, a first computer at web site of said dealer, a second computer at a system host, and a third computer at one of a plurality of funding sources to implement and control an interactive credit application and routing system, each of said computers and said dealer terminal being connected to a communications medium, said program product comprising: 
 means at said dealer web site for providing a credit application to be completed by a consumer;    means at said dealer web site for forwarding a completed credit application to said system host together with information that identifies said dealer;    means at said host for receiving said credit application from said dealer web site;    means at said host for selectively forwarding said received credit application to one or more of said plurality of funding sources;    means at said one or more of said plurality of funding sources for providing a funding decision to said host;    means at said host for receiving said funding decision from said at least one of said one or more of said plurality of funding sources; and    means at said host for forwarding said received funding decision to said dealer web site.    
     
     
         2 . The program product as in  claim 1  further comprising means at said host for forwarding said received funding decision to said dealer terminal.  
     
     
         3 . The program product as in  claim 2  wherein said host forwards said received funding decision to said dealer by facsimile.  
     
     
         4 . The program product as in  claim 1  further comprising means for storing said received funding decision at said host  
     
     
         5 . The program product as in  claim 1  further comprising means for generating lead information about said credit application process for dealer follow-up.  
     
     
         6 . The program product as in  claim 5  wherein said lead information includes consumer contact information, vehicle information and information about whether the application process is complete or incomplete.  
     
     
         7 . The program product as in  claim 1  further comprising means for receiving and forwarding contract information electronically to said at least one of said one or more of said plurality of funding sources for verification of said contract information.  
     
     
         8 . The program product as in  claim 1  further comprising means for providing at said dealer web site information about the status of said credit application.  
     
     
         9 . The program product as in  claim 8  further comprising means for providing authorized access to information at said web site about the status of said credit application.  
     
     
         10 . The program product as in  claim 9  wherein said authorized access utilizes password information.  
     
     
         11 . The program product as in  claim 1  further comprising means for forwarding related disclosures together with said received funding decision to said dealer web site.  
     
     
         12 . A system for providing a closed loop credit decision process for a consumer at a dealer web site, said system comprising: 
 a communications medium;    a host system to implement and control an interactive credit application and routing system;    said host system connected to said communications medium;    a dealer web site, said dealer web site connected to said communications medium; said dealer web site for providing a credit application to be completed by a consumer and for forwarding a completed credit application to said host system together with information that identifies said dealer;    a plurality of funding sources connected to said communications medium; and    wherein said host system configured for receiving said credit application from said dealer web site and for selectively forwarding said received credit application to one or more of said plurality of funding sources, for receiving a funding decision from said at least one of said one or more of said plurality of funding sources; and for forwarding said received funding decision to said dealer web site.    
     
     
         13 . The system as in  claim 12  wherein said host further forwards said received funding decision to said dealer terminal.  
     
     
         14 . The system as in  claim 13  wherein said host further forwards said received funding decision to said dealer by facsimile.  
     
     
         15 . The system as in  claim 12  wherein said host further stores said received funding decision at said host  
     
     
         16 . The system as in  claim 12  wherein said host further generates lead information about said credit application process for dealer follow-up.  
     
     
         17 . The system as in  claim 16  wherein said lead information includes consumer contact information, vehicle information and information about whether the application process is complete or incomplete.  
     
     
         18 . The system as in  claim 12  wherein said host further receives and forwards contract information electronically to said at least one of said one or more of said plurality of funding sources for verification of said contract information.  
     
     
         19 . The system as in  claim 12  wherein said dealer web site provides information about the status of said credit application.  
     
     
         20 . The system as in  claim 19  wherein said dealer web site provides authorized access to information about the status of said credit application.  
     
     
         21 . The system as in  claim 20  wherein said authorized access utilizes password information.  
     
     
         22 . The system as in  claim 12  wherein said host further forwards related disclosures together with said received funding decision to said dealer web site.