Methods and systems for offering and servicing financial instruments

A financial services method associated with a financial instrument, said financial instrument having an issuer, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, said contingency having a trigger based upon at least one of:
• a. trading value of said financial instrument,
• b. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• c. dividend yield of said underlying reference,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• j. trading value of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• k. trading yield of a security,
• l. an index;
• wherein:
• a payment becomes due on occurrence of said contingency.

A financial services method comprising buying a financial instrument, said financial instrument having an issuer and created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, said contingency having a trigger based upon at least one of:
• a. trading value of said financial instrument,
• b. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• c. dividend yield of said underlying reference,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• j. trading value of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• k. trading yield of a security,
• l. an index;
• wherein:
• a payment becomes due on occurrence of said contingency.

A financial services method associated with a financial instrument, said financial instrument having an issuer, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment based upon at least one of:
• a. predetermined fixed amount,
• b. trading value of said financial instrument,
• c. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• j. trading value of a security,
• k. trading yield of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• l. an index.

A financial services method comprising buying a financial instrument, said financial instrument having an issuer and created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment based upon at least one of:
• a. predetermined fixed amount,
• b. trading value of said financial instrument,
• c. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• j. trading value of a security,
• k. trading yield of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• l. an index.

A financial services method associated with a financial instrument, said financial instrument having an issuer, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment equals at most an imposed maximum value.

A financial services method comprising buying a financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment equals at most an imposed maximum value.

A financial services method associated with a financial instrument, said financial instrument having an issuer, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment exceeds an imposed minimum value.

A financial services method comprising buying a financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment exceeds an imposed minimum value.

A financial services method associated with a financial instrument said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining multiple contingencies, a payment becoming due on occurrence of at least one of:
• a. satisfaction of one of said multiple contingencies,
• b. satisfaction of more than one of said multiple contingencies, and
• c. satisfaction of all of said multiple contingencies.

A financial services method comprising buying a financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining multiple contingencies, a payment becoming due on occurrence of at least one of:
• a. satisfaction of one of said multiple contingencies,
• b. satisfaction of more than one of said multiple contingencies, and
• C. satisfaction of all of said multiple contingencies.

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument said system comprising:

• means for identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• means for attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• means for defining a contingency, said contingency having a trigger based upon at least one of:
• a. trading value of said financial instrument,
• b. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• c. dividend yield of said underlying reference,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• j. trading value of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• k. trading yield of a security,
• l. an index;
• wherein:
• a payment becomes due on occurrence of said contingency.

A financial services system comprising means for buying a financial instrument, said financial instrument having an issue and created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, said contingency having a trigger based upon at least one of:
• a. trading value of said financial instrument,
• b. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• c. dividend yield of said underlying reference,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• j. trading value of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• k. trading yield of a security,
• l. an index;
• wherein:
• a payment becomes due on occurrence of said contingency.

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument said system comprising:

• means for identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• means for attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• means for defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• means for calculating said payment based upon at least one of:
• a. predetermined fixed amount,
• b. trading value of said financial instrument,
• c. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• j. trading value of a security,
• k. trading yield of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• l. an index.

A financial services system comprising means for buying a financial instrument, said financial instrument having an issuer and created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment based upon at least one of:
• a. predetermined fixed amount,
• b. trading value of said financial instrument,
• c. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• j. trading value of a security,
• k. trading yield of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• l. an index.

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument said system comprising:

• means for identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• means for attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• means for defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• means for calculating said payment so that said payment equals at most an imposed maximum value.

A financial services system comprising means for buying a financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment equals at most an imposed maximum value.

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument said system comprising:

• means for identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• means for attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• means for defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• means for calculating said payment so that said payment exceeds an imposed minimum value.

A financial services system comprising means for buying a financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment exceeds an imposed minimum value.

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument, said system comprising:

• means for identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• means for attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• means for defining multiple contingencies, a payment becoming due on occurrence of at least one of:
• a. satisfaction of one of said multiple contingencies,
• b. satisfaction of more than one of said multiple contingencies, and
• c. satisfaction of all of said multiple contingencies.

A financial services system comprising means for buying a financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining multiple contingencies, a payment becoming due on occurrence of at least one of:
• a. satisfaction of one of said multiple contingencies,
• b. satisfaction of more than one of said multiple contingencies, and
• c. satisfaction of all of said multiple contingencies.

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument, said system comprising:

• an underlying reference identifying unit that identifies an underlying reference;
• an attribution unit that attributes a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• a contingency defining unit that defines a contingency, said contingency having a trigger based upon at least one of:
• a. trading value of said financial instrument,
• b. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• c. dividend yield of said underlying reference,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• j. trading value of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• k. trading yield of a security,
• l. an index;
• wherein:
• a payment becomes due on occurrence of said contingency.

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument, said system comprising:

• an underlying reference identifying unit that identifies an underlying reference;
• an attribution unit that attributes a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• a contingency defining unit that defines a contingency;
• a contingent payment calculating unit that calculates said payment based upon at least one of:
• a. trading value of said financial instrument,
• b. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• c. dividend yield of said underlying reference,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• j. trading value of a security,
• k. trading yield of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• l. an index.

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument, said system comprising:

• an underlying reference identifying unit that identifies an underlying reference;
• an attribution unit that attributes a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• a contingency defining unit that defines a contingency;
• a contingent payment calculating unit that calculates said payment so that said payment equals at most an imposed maximum value

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument, said system comprising:

• an underlying reference identifying unit that identifies an underlying reference;
• an attribution unit that attributes a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• a contingency defining unit that defines a contingency;
• a contingent payment calculating unit that calculates said payment so that said payment exceeds an imposed minimum value.

A financial services system associated with a financial instrument, said system comprising:

• an underlying reference identifying unit that identifies an underlying reference;
• an attribution unit that attributes a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• a contingency defining unit that defines multiple contingencies, a payment becoming due on occurrence of at least one of:
• a. satisfaction of one of said multiple contingencies,
• b. satisfaction of more than one of said multiple contingencies, and
• c. satisfaction of all of said multiple contingencies.

A financial instrument derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, said contingency having a trigger based upon at least one of:
• a. trading value of said financial instrument,
• b. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• c. dividend yield of said underlying reference,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• j. trading value of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• k. trading yield of a security,
• l. an index;
• wherein:
• a payment becomes due on occurrence of said contingency.

A financial instrument having an issuer and derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising buying said financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, said contingency having a trigger based upon at least one of:
• a. trading value of said financial instrument,
• b. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• c. dividend yield of said underlying reference,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• j. trading value of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• k. trading yield of a security,
• l. an index;
• wherein:
• a payment becomes due on occurrence of said contingency.

A financial instrument derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment based upon at least one of:
• a. predetermined fixed amount,
• b. trading value of said financial instrument,
• c. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• j. trading value of a security,
• k. trading yield of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• l. an index.

A financial instrument having an issuer and derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising buying said financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment based upon at least one of:
• a. predetermined fixed amount,
• b. trading value of said financial instrument,
• c. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• j. trading value of a security,
• k. trading yield of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• l. an index.

A financial instrument derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment equals at most an imposed maximum value.

A financial instrument derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising buying said financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment equals at most an imposed maximum value.

A financial instrument derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment exceeds an imposed minimum value.

A financial instrument derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising buying said financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment exceeds an imposed minimum value.

A financial instrument derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining multiple contingencies, a payment becoming due on occurrence of at least one of:
• a. satisfaction of one of said multiple contingencies,
• b. satisfaction of more than one of said multiple contingencies, and
• c. satisfaction of all of said multiple contingencies.

A financial instrument derived in accordance with a method, said method comprising buying said financial instrument created by:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining multiple contingencies, a payment becoming due on occurrence of at least one of:
• a. satisfaction of one of said multiple contingencies,
• b. satisfaction of more than one of said multiple contingencies, and
• c. satisfaction of all of said multiple contingencies.

A machine-readable data storage medium encoded with a set of machine-executable instructions for using a data processing system to perform a financial services method associated with a financial instrument, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, said contingency having a trigger based upon at least one of:
• a. trading value of said financial instrument,
• b. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• c. dividend yield of said underlying reference,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• j. trading value of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• k. trading yield of a security,
• l. an index;
• wherein:
• a payment becomes due on occurrence of said contingency.

A machine-readable data storage medium encoded with a set of machine-executable instructions for using a data processing system to perform a financial services method associated with a financial instrument, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment based upon at least one of:
• a. predetermined fixed amount,
• b. trading value of said financial instrument,
• c. trading yield of said financial instrument,
• d. trading yield of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• e. trading value of a liability of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• f. trading value of a class of capital stock issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• g. trading dividend yield of a class of capital stock other than said underlying reference,
• h. trading value of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument,
• i. trading yield of a class of capital stock of said issuer of said financial instrument other than common stock,
• j. trading value of a security,
• k. trading yield of a security issued by an issuer other than said issuer of said financial instrument,
• l. an index.

A machine-readable data storage medium encoded with a set of machine-executable instructions for using a data processing system to perform a financial services method associated with a financial instrument, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment equals at most an imposed maximum value.

A machine-readable data storage medium encoded with a set of machine-executable instructions for using a data processing system to perform a financial services method associated with a financial instrument, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining a contingency, a payment becoming due on occurrence of said contingency;
• calculating said payment so that said payment exceeds an imposed minimum value.

A machine-readable data storage medium encoded with a set of machine-executable instructions for using a data processing system to perform a financial services method associated with a financial instrument, said method comprising:

• identifying an underlying reference for said financial instrument, said underlying reference having a value;
• attributing a number of said underlying references to said financial instrument;
• defining multiple contingencies, a payment becoming due on occurrence of at least one of:
• a) satisfaction of one of said multiple contingencies,
• b) satisfaction of more than one of said multiple contingencies, and
• c) satisfaction of all of said multiple contingencies.