System and method for assessing and managing financial transactions

Abstract

A financial terms alert generation system comprises an information retrieval module, a financial terms comparison module, and an alert transmission module. The information retrieval module is configured to retrieve financing information, customer information, and product information from one or more sources accessible on a network. The financial terms comparison module is configured to compare a customer's current financial arrangement to a potential new financial arrangement to determine whether the customer is able to enter into a new financial arrangement on terms favorable to the customer. The alert transmission module is configured to transmit an alert to a dealer in cases in which the financial terms comparison module determines that a customer is able to enter into a new financial arrangement on terms favorable to the customer. Such alerts identify the customer and the favorable financial terms.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for a user to determine potential customers of a vehicle to contact, the method comprising:
 determining, using a computing device, a customer whose vehicle is either scheduled for vehicle service or that is currently at a location for vehicle service;   determining one or more first vehicles that are existing and currently available to the user that the user can offer to potential customers;   identifying, using a computing device, one of the first vehicles that is a similar make and model as the customer vehicle;   receiving, by a computing device, customer information and market information wherein said market information includes an estimated market value for the customer vehicle and at least one of an interest rate, a manufacturer's incentive that is available for the first vehicle, and a sales price of the first vehicle;   generating, by a computing device, a report if the first vehicle is of the similar make and model as the customer vehicle, such report including the customer information and an estimated proposal for the first vehicle based at least in part on said estimated market value of the customer vehicle and the market information; and   determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the first vehicle based on said report.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying further comprises identifying, using the computing device, whether the customer vehicle is at least one of a same make or a same model as the first vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining, using a computing device, a variance amount between a current monthly vehicle payment or lease amount for the customer vehicle and an estimated monthly purchase or lease payment for the first vehicle and, wherein generating the report further comprises generating the report, such report additionally comprising the variance amount. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining, using a computing device, the estimated market value for the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein determining the estimated market value further comprises determining, using the computing device, the estimated market value for the customer vehicle based at least in part on service information associated with the customer vehicle indicating a present condition of the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining, using a computing device, an equity amount in the customer vehicle based on the estimated market value and current vehicle financing information and, wherein generating the report further comprises generating the report, such report additionally comprising the equity amount. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising contacting the potential customer regarding the first vehicle on the report while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein contacting further comprises contacting the potential customer with at least one of a vehicle sales proposal or a vehicle lease proposal related to the first vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for a user to determine which potential customers of a vehicle to contact, the apparatus comprising:
 a computing platform having at least one processor and a memory in communication with the processor; and   a customer marketing module stored in the memory, executable by the processor and configured to:
 determine a customer whose vehicle is either scheduled for vehicle service or that is currently at a location for vehicle service; 
 determine one or more first vehicles that are existing and currently available to the user that the user desires to offer to potential customers; 
 identify at least one of the first vehicles that is similar make and model to the customer vehicle; 
 receive customer information and market information wherein said market information includes an estimated market value for the customer vehicle and at least one of an interest rate, a manufacturer's incentive that is available for the first vehicle, and a sales price of the first vehicles; and 
 generate a report if the first vehicle is of the similar make and model as the customer vehicle, such report including the customer information and an estimated proposal for the first vehicle based at least in part on said estimated market value of the customer vehicle and the market information, wherein the report is a basis for determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the first vehicle. 
   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to identify whether the customer vehicle is at least one of a same make or a same model as the first vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to (1) determine a variance amount between a current monthly vehicle payment of lease amount for the customer vehicle and an estimated monthly purchase or lease payment for the first vehicle and (2) generating the report, such report additionally comprising the variance amount. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to determine the estimated market value for the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to determine the estimated market value based at least in part on service information associated with the customer vehicle indicating a present condition of the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to (1) determine an equity amount in the customer vehicle based on the estimated market value and current vehicle financing information and (2) generate the report, such report additionally comprising the equity amount. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to generate the report, wherein the report is a basis for determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the first vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to contact the potential customer with at least one of a vehicle sales proposal or a vehicle lease proposal related to the first vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         17 . A computer program product that includes a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having sets of codes for causing a computer processor to perform the following steps:
 determining a customer whose vehicle is either scheduled for vehicle service or that is currently at a location for vehicle service;   determining one or more first vehicles that are existing and currently available to the user that the user desires to offer to potential customers;   identifying at least one of the first vehicles that is similar make and model to the customer vehicle;   determining an estimated trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on service information associated with the customer vehicle indicating an estimated present condition of the customer vehicle;   receiving customer information and market information wherein said market information includes an estimated market value for the customer vehicle and at least one of an interest rate, a manufacturer's incentive that is available for the first vehicles, and a sales price of the first vehicles; and   generating a report if the first vehicle is of the similar make and model as the customer vehicle, such report including the customer information and an estimated proposal for the first vehicle based at least in part on said estimated market value of the customer vehicle and the market information, wherein the report is a basis for determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the first vehicle.   
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the step of identifying further comprises identifying whether the customer vehicle is at least one of a same make or a same model as the first vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the steps further comprise determining a variance amount between a current monthly vehicle payment or lease amount for the customer vehicle and an estimated monthly purchase or lease payment for the first vehicle and, wherein the step of generating the report further comprises generating the report, such report additionally comprising the variance amount. 
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the steps further include determining the estimated market value for the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         21 . The computer program product of  claim 20 , wherein the steps further include determining the estimated market value for the customer vehicle based at least in part on service information associated with the customer vehicle indicating a present condition of the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         22 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the steps further comprise determining an equity amount in the customer vehicle based on an estimated market value and current vehicle financing information and, wherein the step of generating the report further comprises generating the report, such report additionally comprising the equity amount. 
     
     
         23 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the step of generating further comprises generating the report, wherein the report is a basis for determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the first vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         24 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the steps further comprise contacting the potential customer with at least one of a vehicle sales proposal or a vehicle lease proposal related to the first vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         25 . A method comprising:
 determining, using a computing device, a customer whose vehicle is at a location for vehicle service;   determining one or more first vehicles that the user can offer to potential customers;   identifying, using a computing device, a replacement vehicle from among the first vehicles, wherein said identifying is based on an association between the replacement vehicle and the customer vehicle;   receiving, by a computing device, customer information and financial information wherein said financial information includes a trade-in value for the customer vehicle and at least one of an interest rate, a manufacturer's incentive that is available for the replacement vehicle, and a selling price of the replacement vehicle;   generating, by a computing device, a deal sheet including the customer information and estimated financial terms for the replacement vehicle based at least in part on the trade-in value of the customer vehicle and the financial information; and   determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the first vehicle based on said deal sheet.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein identifying further comprises identifying, using the computing device, whether the customer vehicle is at least one of a same make or a same model as the replacement vehicle. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising determining, using a computing device, an amount of difference between a current payment associated with the customer vehicle and an estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the amount of difference. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising determining, using a computing device, a trade-in value for the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein determining the trade-in value further comprises determining, using a computing device, the trade-in value for the customer vehicle based at least in part on an assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle and receipt of external data. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising determining, using a computing device, a trade equity amount for the customer vehicle based on the trade-in value and information from a current financial agreement covering the customer vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the trade equity amount. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising contacting the potential customer regarding the replacement vehicle on the deal sheet while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein contacting further comprises contacting the potential customer with at least one of a vehicle sales proposal or a vehicle lease proposal related to the replacement vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus for a user to determine which potential customers of a vehicle to contact, the apparatus comprising:
 a computing platform having at least one processor and a memory in communication with the processor; and   at least one module stored in the memory, executable by the processor and configured to:
 determine a customer whose vehicle is at a location for vehicle service; 
 determining one or more first vehicles that the user can offer to potential customers; 
 identify a replacement vehicle from among the first vehicles, wherein said identifying is based on an association between the replacement vehicle and the customer vehicle; 
 customer information and financial information wherein said financial information includes a trade-in value for the customer vehicle and at least one of an interest rate, a manufacturer's incentive that is available for the replacement vehicle, and a selling price of the replacement vehicle; and 
 generate a deal sheet including the customer information and estimated financial terms for the replacement vehicle based at least in part on the trade-in value of the customer vehicle and the financial information, wherein the deal sheet is a basis for determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the replacement vehicle. 
   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the modules are further configured to identify whether the customer vehicle is at least one of a same make or a same model as the replacement vehicle. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the modules are further configured to (1) determine an amount of difference between a current payment associated with the customer vehicle and an estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the amount of difference and (2) generating the deal sheet, such deal sheet additionally comprising the amount of difference. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the modules are further configured to determine a trade-in value for the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the modules are further configured to determine the trade-in value based at least in part on an assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle and receipt of external data. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the modules are further configured to (1) determine a trade equity amount for the customer vehicle based on the trade-in value and information from a current financial agreement covering the customer vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the trade equity amount and (2) generate the deal sheet, such deal sheet additionally comprising the trade equity amount. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the modules are further configured to generate the deal sheet, wherein the deal sheet is a basis for determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the replacement vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the modules are further configured to contact the potential customer with at least one of a vehicle sales proposal or a vehicle lease proposal related to the replacement vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         41 . A computer program product that includes a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium having sets of codes for causing a computer processor to perform the following steps:
 determining a customer whose vehicle is at a location for vehicle service;   determining one or more first vehicles that the user can offer to potential customers;   identifying a replacement vehicle from among the first vehicles, wherein said identifying is based on an association between the replacement vehicle and the customer vehicle;   determining an estimated trade-in value for the customer vehicle based at least in part on an assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle and receipt of external data;   receiving customer information and financial information wherein said financial information includes a trade-in value for the customer vehicle and at least one of an interest rate, a manufacturer's incentive that is available for the replacement vehicle, and a selling price of the replacement vehicle; and   generating a deal sheet including the customer information and estimated financial terms for the replacement vehicle based at least in part on the trade-in value of the customer vehicle and the financial information, wherein the deal sheet is a basis for determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the replacement vehicle.   
     
     
         42 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein the step of identifying further comprises identifying whether the customer vehicle is at least one of a same make or a same model as the replacement vehicle. 
     
     
         43 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein the steps further comprise determining an amount of difference between a current payment associated with the customer vehicle and an estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the amount of difference. 
     
     
         44 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein the steps further include determining the trade-in for the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         45 . The computer program product of  claim 44 , wherein the steps further include determining the trade-in value for the customer vehicle based at least in part on an assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle and receipt of external data. 
     
     
         46 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein the steps further comprise determining a trade equity amount for the customer vehicle based on the trade-in value and information from a current financial agreement covering the customer vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the trade equity amount. 
     
     
         47 . The computer program product of  claim 41 , wherein the step of generating further comprises generating the deal sheet, wherein the deal sheet is a basis for determining that the customer is a potential customer to contact regarding the replacement vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service. 
     
     
         48 . The computer program product of  claim 47 , wherein the steps further comprise contacting the potential customer with at least one of a vehicle sales proposal or a vehicle lease proposal related to the replacement vehicle while the customer is currently at the location for the vehicle service.