US Patent 8682760 Methods and devices for savings participation

A computer-based automated savings method includes storing in a memory circuit, for each customer, customer profile data that identifies an account for accumulating automated savings, that identifies customer-specified types of financial transactions for automated savings participation, and that identifies a customer-specified saving algorithm for each of the different types of financial transactions. Notification data is received that is indicative of one of the customers having actively engaged in one of the types of financial transactions for automated savings participation. The customer's profile data in the memory circuit is accessed, the type of financial transaction being engaged in by the customer is compared with the customer-specified types of financial transactions, and therefrom it is determined whether the type of financial transaction qualifies for automated savings participation. The method further includes based upon the comparison, selecting a customer-specified saving algorithm as specified for the type of financial transaction, accessing and implementing the customer-specified saving algorithm for the financial transaction for which notification data has been received and, therefrom, increasing the amount of savings in the account for accumulating automated savings.