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 vehicle dealer to determine which potential customers of a dealer to contact, the method comprising:
 determining a customer whose customer vehicle is either scheduled for vehicle service or is at the vehicle dealer for vehicle service;   determining one or more first vehicles that are existing and currently available to the vehicle dealer that the vehicle dealer can offer to the customer;   identifying, using a computing device, one of the first vehicles that is a similar make and model to the customer vehicle;   determining, using a computing device, 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, by a computing device, customer information wherein said customer information includes at least the customer's name, the customer's address, the model of the customer vehicle and customer vehicle identification number;   receiving, by a computing device, market information wherein said market information includes 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 trade-in 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 determining an estimated trade-in value further comprises determining, using a computing device, the estimated trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on the service information and receipt of external vehicle data. 
     
     
         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, an equity amount in the customer vehicle based on an 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. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising contacting the potential customer regarding the first vehicle during vehicle service of the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for a vehicle dealer 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:
 identify a first vehicle that is a similar make and model as a customer vehicle, wherein the first vehicle has been determined to be existing and currently available to the vehicle dealer and wherein the customer vehicle has been determined to either be scheduled for vehicle service or is at the vehicle dealer for vehicle service, 
 determine 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, 
 receive customer information wherein said customer information includes at least the customer's name, the customer's address, the model of the customer vehicle and customer vehicle identification number, 
 receive market information wherein said market information includes 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 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 trade-in value of the customer vehicle and the market information. 
   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to determine the estimated trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on the service information and receipt of external vehicle valuation data. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , 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. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to (1) determine an equity amount in the customer vehicle based on an estimated market value and current vehicle financing information and (2) generate the report, such report additionally comprising the equity amount. 
     
     
         10 . 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:
 identifying a first vehicle that is a similar make and model as a customer vehicle, wherein the first vehicle has been determined to be existing and currently available to the vehicle dealer and wherein the customer vehicle has been determined to either be scheduled for vehicle service or is at the vehicle dealer for vehicle service,   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 wherein said customer information includes at least the customer's name, the customer's address, the model of the customer vehicle and customer vehicle identification number,   receiving market information wherein said market information includes 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, 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 trade-in value of the customer vehicle and the market information.   
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein the step of determining the estimated trade-in value further comprises determining the estimated trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on the service information and receipt of external vehicle valuation data. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , 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. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , 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. 
     
     
         14 . A method for a vehicle dealer to determine which potential customers of a vehicle to contact, the method comprising:
 determining a customer whose customer vehicle is either scheduled for vehicle service or that is at the vehicle dealer for vehicle service;   determining one or more first vehicles that are existing and currently available to the vehicle dealer that the vehicle dealer can offer to the customer;   identifying, using a computing device, one of the first vehicles that is a similar make and model as the customer vehicle;   determining, using a computing device, 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, by a computing device, customer information;   receiving, by a computing device, market information wherein said market information includes 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 trade-in 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.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein determining an estimated trade-in value further comprises determining, using a computing device, the estimated trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on the service information and receipt of external vehicle valuation data. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , 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. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising determining, using a computing device, an equity amount in the customer vehicle based on an 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. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying further comprises identifying, using the computing device, one of the first vehicles that is a similar body type as the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the customer marketing module is further configured to identify a first vehicle that is a similar body type as the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein identifying further comprises identifying, using the computing device, one of the first vehicles that is a similar body type as the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 determining a customer whose customer vehicle is at a vehicle dealer for vehicle service;   determining one or more first vehicles that are among the vehicle dealer's new or pre-owned inventory that the dealer can offer to replace the customer vehicle;   identifying, by a computer system, a replacement vehicle from among the first vehicles based at least in part on an association between a make, model, and year of the replacement vehicle and a make, model, and year of the customer vehicle;   determining, by the computer system, a trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on an assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle;   receiving, by the computer system, contact information for the customer and information about the customer vehicle, wherein the contact information includes at least the customer's name and the customer's address, and the information about the customer vehicle includes at least a vehicle identification number of the customer vehicle;   receiving, by the computer system, a selling price of the replacement vehicle and potential financial terms that are available for the replacement vehicle, wherein the potential financial terms include at least one of an interest rate and a manufacturer incentive;   generating, by the computer system, a deal sheet comprising the contact information for the customer, the information about the customer vehicle, and an estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, the estimated payment based at least in part on the trade-in value of the customer vehicle, the selling price of the replacement vehicle, and the potential financial terms available for the replacement vehicle; and   contacting the customer to offer a financial arrangement based on the generated deal sheet.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein determining the trade-in value further comprises determining, using a computing device, the trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on the assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle and receipt of external data. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising determining, using a computing device, an amount of difference between a current payment associated with the customer vehicle and the estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the amount of difference. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , 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. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein contacting the customer comprises transmitting at least part of a vehicle sales proposal or a vehicle lease proposal for the replacement vehicle. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein contacting the customer comprises contacting the customer during vehicle service of the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus comprising:
 a computing platform having at least one processor and a memory in communication with the processor; and   a software module stored in the memory, executable by the processor and configured to:
 identify a replacement vehicle from among a vehicle dealer's new or pre-owned inventory based at least in part on an association between a make, model, and year of the replacement vehicle and a make, model, and year of a customer vehicle, wherein the customer vehicle is at the vehicle dealer for vehicle service; 
 determine a trade-in value for the customer vehicle based at least in part on an assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle; 
 receive contact information for the customer and information about the customer vehicle, wherein the contact information includes at least the customer's name and the customer's address, and the information about the customer vehicle includes at least a vehicle identification number of the customer vehicle; 
 receive a selling price of the replacement vehicle and potential financial terms that are available for the replacement vehicle, wherein the potential financial terms include at least one of an interest rate and a manufacturer incentive; and 
 generate a deal sheet comprising the contact information for the customer, the information about the customer vehicle, and an estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, the estimated payment based at least in part on the trade-in value of the customer vehicle, the selling price of the replacement vehicle, and the potential financial terms available for the replacement vehicle. 
   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the software module is further configured to determine the trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on the assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle and receipt of external data. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the software module is further configured to determine an amount of difference between a current payment associated with the customer vehicle and the estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the amount of difference. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the software module is further configured to 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. 
     
     
         31 . 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:
 identifying a replacement vehicle from among a vehicle dealer's new or pre-owned inventory based at least in part on an association between a make, model, and year of the first vehicle and a make, model, and year of a customer vehicle, wherein the customer vehicle is at the vehicle dealer for vehicle service;   determining a trade-in value for the customer vehicle based at least in part on an assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle;   receiving contact information for the customer and information about the customer vehicle, wherein the contact information includes at least the customer's name and the customer's address, and the information about the customer vehicle includes at least a vehicle identification number of the customer vehicle;   receiving a selling price of the replacement vehicle and potential financial terms that are available for the replacement vehicle, wherein the potential financial terms include at least one of an interest rate and a manufacturer incentive; and   generating a deal sheet comprising the contact information for the customer, the information about the customer vehicle, and an estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, the estimated payment based at least in part on the trade-in value of the customer vehicle, the selling price of the replacement vehicle, and the potential financial terms available for the replacement vehicle.   
     
     
         32 . The computer program product of  claim 31 , wherein the step of determining the trade-in value further comprises determining the trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on the assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle and receipt of external data. 
     
     
         33 . The computer program product of  claim 31 , wherein the steps further comprise determining an amount of difference between a current payment associated with the customer vehicle and the estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the amount of difference. 
     
     
         34 . The computer program product of  claim 31 , 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. 
     
     
         35 . A method comprising:
 determining a customer whose customer vehicle is at the vehicle dealer for vehicle service;   determining one or more first vehicles that are among the vehicle dealer's new or pre-owned inventory that the dealer can offer to replace the customer vehicle;   identifying, by a computer system, a replacement vehicle from among the first vehicles based at least in part on an association between a make, model, and year of the replacement vehicle and a make, model, and year of the customer vehicle;   determining, by the computer system, a trade-in value for the customer vehicle based at least in part on an assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle;   receiving, by the computer system, contact information for the customer and information about the customer vehicle;   receiving, by the computer system, a selling price of the replacement vehicle and potential financial terms that are available for the replacement vehicle, wherein the potential financial terms include at least one of an interest rate and a manufacturer incentive;   generating, by the computer system, a deal sheet comprising the contact information for the customer, the information about the customer vehicle, and an estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, the estimated payment based at least in part on the trade-in value of the customer vehicle, the selling price of the replacement vehicle, and the potential financial terms available for the replacement vehicle; and   contacting the customer to offer a financial arrangement based on the generated deal sheet.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein determining a trade-in value further comprises determining, using a computing device, the trade-in value for the customer vehicle based on the assumed condition or mileage of the customer vehicle and receipt of external data. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising determining, using a computing device, an amount of difference between a current payment associated with the customer vehicle and the estimated payment for the replacement vehicle, wherein the deal sheet additionally comprises the amount of difference. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , 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. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the replacement vehicle is identified based at least in part on an association between a vehicle class of the replacement vehicle and a vehicle class of the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the software module is configured to identify the replacement vehicle based at least in part on an association between a vehicle class of the replacement vehicle and a vehicle class of the customer vehicle. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the replacement vehicle is identified based at least in part on an association between a vehicle class of the replacement vehicle and a vehicle class of the customer vehicle.