Methods and apparatus for funding transactions using debit cards issued by one institution and funds from accounts at other institutions

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems for funding transactions disclosed herein may operate to configure a plurality of backup funding sources for a primary funding source, and enable a consumer associated with the primary funding source to select at least one backup funding source among the plurality of backup funding sources. A request to fund a transaction associated with the primary funding source may be received, and the transaction may be funded using funds from at least one of the primary funding source and the at least one selected backup funding source.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system comprising:
 an account information unit configured to store information about an account, the account being associated with a first financial institution; and   a backup funding unit configured to enable a user to set a maximum backup funding amount that can be drawn from a first backup funding source for the account, the first backup funding source residing with a second financial institution different from the first financial institution.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the backup funding unit is further configured to obtain authorization for the first backup funding amount. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a transaction processor configured to perform a risk analysis associated with the account and to transmit, based on the risk analysis, an authorization for a debit amount, and to receive a settlement request for the debit amount. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , the backup funding unit further configured to:
 present an option to change the first backup funding source,   receive an indication of a new backup funding source, and   change the first backup funding source.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the backup funding unit is further configured to notify a holder of the account that the first backup funding source has been used. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a transaction processor configured to:
 receive a request for a debit amount associated via a merchant server with a debt card,   determine that the account has a balance less than the debit amount, and   determine that the account is associated with the first backup funding source.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the backup funding unit is further configured to enable the user to set a second backup funding source for the account, wherein the second backup funding source resides with a third financial institution different from both the first financial institution and the second financial institution. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first backup funding source is selected from the group consisting of checking accounts, savings accounts, credit card accounts, and lines of credit. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at an account server, a request for a debit amount from an account of a first financial institution;   determining that the account has a balance that is less than the debit amount;   determining that the account is associated with a backup funding source at a second financial institution different from the first financial institution;   requesting, from a backup funding server separate from the account server and associated with the second financial institution, a backup funding amount equal to at least the difference between the balance and the debit amount, wherein the requesting of the backup funding amount includes determining, at the account server, whether the backup funding amount is not in excess of a maximum back up funding amount configured by the account server for the backup funding source;   receiving, from the financial institution, the backup funding amount; and   providing the debit amount.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 obtaining, from the second financial institution, authorization for the backup funding amount;   transmitting an authorization for the debit amount; and   receiving a settlement request for the debit amount.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 performing a risk analysis associated with the account;   based on the risk analysis, transmitting an authorization for the debit amount; and   receiving a settlement request for the debit amount.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 presenting an option to change the backup funding source;   receiving an indication of a new backup funding source; and   changing the backup funding source to be the new backup funding source.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the request for the debit amount originates from a merchant computer, automated teller machine, or online retail server. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising notifying a holder of the account that the backup funding source has been used. 
     
     
         16 . A machine-readable medium including instructions to be executed by a machine, the instructions comprising:
 receiving a request for a debit amount from an account of a first financial institution;   determining that the account has a balance that is less than the debit amount;   determining that the account is associated with a backup funding source at a second financial institution different from the first financial institution;   requesting, from a backup funding server associated with the second financial institution, a backup funding amount equal to at least the difference between the balance and the debit amount, wherein the requesting of the backup funding amount includes determining whether the backup funding amount is not in excess of a maximum backup funding amount configured by the account server for the backup funding source;   receiving, from the financial institution, the backup funding amount; and   providing the debit amount.   
     
     
         17 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 16 , the instructions further comprising:
 obtaining, from the second financial institution, authorization for the backup funding amount;   transmitting an authorization for the debit amount; and   receiving a settlement request for the debit amount.   
     
     
         18 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 16 , the instructions further comprising:
 performing a risk analysis associated with the account;   based on the risk analysis, transmitting an authorization for the debit amount; and   receiving a settlement request for the debit amount.   
     
     
         19 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 16 , the instructions further comprising:
 presenting an option to change the backup funding source;   receiving an indication of a new backup funding source; and   changing the backup funding source to be the new backup funding source.   
     
     
         20 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the request for the debit amount originates from a merchant computer, automated teller machine, or online retail server. 
     
     
         21 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 20 , further comprising notifying a holder of the account that the backup funding source has been used.