Abstract

A centralized system of accumulating cash value for consumers based upon point-of-sale transactions with multiple merchants is disclosed wherein for each transaction, the consumer's account number (such as the Social Security number) and birthdate are transmitted to a central system along with data identifying the merchant and a credit value determined by the merchant. At the central location, a cash value for that consumer is incremented by the credit value and a bill value for that merchant is similarly incremented. Periodically, the merchants are billed for the accumulated bill value. Also, at selected intervals, consumers are given access to their respective accumulated cash values by either a check in that amount or through a funds dispensing electronic terminal access or the like. Preferably, the intervals are selected to correspond to birthdates of the consumers.