System and methods for disclosing transaction information to customers

1. A method of disclosing to customers transaction information, the method comprising:

receiving at a host computer system a file comprising processing information, wherein the processing information comprises a plurality of transaction categories and fee information associated with each transaction category;

receiving a message from a point-of-sale device requesting the fee information associated with at least one particular transaction category relating to a transaction with a customer;

sending from the host computer system an electronic message comprising the fee information; and

displaying transaction information relating to the electronic message at the point-of-sale device;

wherein the transaction involves an exchange between at least two different forms of value and wherein the transaction information further comprises a message that funds are acquired at a first exchange rate and sold at a second exchange rate.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction information comprises a fee.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing information further comprises an exchange rate between the at least two different forms of value.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

receiving a message from a point-of-sale device requesting the exchange rate between the at least two different forms of value; and

sending from the host computer system an electronic message comprising the exchange rate.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the transaction information further comprises the exchange rate.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first exchange rate is a wholesale exchange rate and the second exchange rate is a retail exchange rate.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first exchange rate is a published exchange rate, and the second exchange rate is an offered exchange rate.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction comprises a money order purchase.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction comprises a money order redemption.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction comprises a wire transfer.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transaction comprises a merchandise purchase.

12. A method of disclosing to customers transaction information relating to transactions, the method comprising:

receiving at a host computer system a file comprising processing information, wherein the processing information comprises an exchange rate between each pair of a plurality of value forms;

receiving a message from a point-of-sale device requesting the exchange rate between two particular value forms relating to a transaction with a customer; and

sending from the host computer system an electronic message comprising the exchange rate; and

displaying transaction information at the point-of-sale device;

wherein the transaction information further comprises a message that funds are acquired at a first exchange rate and sold at a second exchange rate.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transaction information further comprises the exchange rate.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first exchange rate is a wholesale exchange rate and the second exchange rate is a retail exchange rate.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first exchange rate is a published exchange rate, and the second exchange rate is an offered exchange rate.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transaction comprises a money order redemption.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transaction comprises a wire transfer.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transaction comprises a merchandise purchase.

19. A method of disclosing to customers transaction information relating to transactions, the method comprising:

receiving at a point-of-sale device transaction parameters relating to a transaction with a customer;

transmitting from the point-of-sale device to a host computer a request for transaction information associated with the transaction;

receiving the transaction information; and

displaying the transaction information to the customer;

wherein the transaction information comprises a message that funds are acquired at a first exchange rate and sold at a second exchange rate.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising receiving an input to abort the transaction.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein displaying the transaction information to the customer comprises displaying an exchange rate based on the transaction parameters.

22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the transaction information comprises a notice that currency is purchased at wholesale and sold at retail.

23. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

displaying a selection screen on the point-of-sale device relating to sending a notification to a recipient;

receiving a selection from the customer; and

transmitting a notification to the recipient.

24. A system for providing transaction information to customers, comprising:

a point-of-sale device; and

an interface between the point-of-sale device and an exchange rate database;

wherein the point-of-sale device is programmed to:

receive transaction parameters relating to a transaction with a customer;

acquire exchange rate information from the exchange rate database based on the transaction parameters; and

display transaction information;

wherein the transaction information further comprises a message that funds are acquired at a first exchange rate and sold at a second exchange rate.

25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the transaction information further comprises the exchange rate.

26. The system of claim 24 , wherein the first exchange rate is a published exchange rate and the second exchange rate is an offered exchange rate.

27. The system of claim 24 , wherein the first exchange rate is a published exchange rate and the second exchange rate is an offered exchange rate.

28. The system of claim 24 , wherein the first exchange rate is a published exchange rate and the second exchange rate is an offered exchange rate.

29. A system for providing transaction information to customers, comprising:

a host computer system having:

an exchange rate database; and

an interface between the exchange rate database and at least one point-of-sale device;

wherein the exchange rate database is programmed to:

receive a file comprising exchange rates between each of a plurality of value forms;

receive an electronic message from the at least one point-of-sale device requesting the exchange rate relating to a transaction with a customer; and

send an electronic message comprising the exchange rate;

wherein transaction information is thereafter displayed to the customer by the point-of sale device and wherein the transaction information comprises a message notifying the customer that funds are acquired at a first exchange rate and sold at a second exchange rate, and wherein the transaction involves an exchange between at least two different forms of value.

30. A point-of-sale device configured to provide transaction information to customers, the point-of-sale device comprising:

means for receiving transaction information from a customer;

means for receiving exchange rate information from an exchange rate database based on the transaction information; and

means for displaying the exchange rate information;

wherein the means for displaying the exchange rate information includes means for displaying a message that funds are acquired at a first exchange rate and sold at a second exchange rate.

31. The point-of-sale device of claim 30 , wherein the point-of-sale device comprises a selection from the group consisting of:

a personal computer;

an unmanned transaction terminal;

a multi-purpose kiosk;

an automated teller machine; and

a manned transaction terminal.

32. A point-of-sale device configured to provide transaction information to customers, the point-of-sale device comprising:

an input arrangement configured to receive transaction information from a customer;

an interface to an exchange rate database configured to obtain exchange rate information based on the transaction information; and

a display configured to display the exchange rate information;

wherein the display is further configured to display a message that funds are acquired at a first exchange rate and sold at a second exchange rate.

33. The point-of-sale device of claim 32 , wherein the point-of-sale device comprises a selection from the group consisting of:

a personal computer;

an unmanned transaction terminal;

a multi-purpose kiosk;

an automated teller machine; and

a manned transaction terminal.

34. A method of transferring value, comprising:

receiving a value transfer request from a sender at a first transfer location;

receiving transaction cost information relating to the request from a transaction cost database;

displaying the transaction cost information to the sender;

thereafter receiving a request to receive the value from a recipient at a second transfer location

displaying the transaction cost to the recipient; and

based on a response from the recipient, providing the value to the recipient;

wherein the transaction cost information comprises a message that funds are acquired at a first exchange rate and sold at a second exchange rate.

35. The method of transferring value of claim 34 , wherein the first transaction location comprises a selection from the group consisting of:

a personal computer;

an unmanned transaction terminal;

a multi-purpose kiosk;

an automated teller machine; and

a manned transaction terminal.

36. The method of transferring value of claim 34 , wherein the transaction cost information displayed to the sender comprises at least one transaction fee.

37. The method of transferring value of claim 34 , wherein the transaction cost information displayed to the sender comprises at least one estimate of revenue.

38. The method of transferring value of claim 34 , wherein the transaction cost information displayed to the sender comprises an effective exchange rate based on the value being transferred determined by combining an exchange rate with a transaction fee.

39. The method of transferring value of claim 34 , wherein the transaction cost information displayed to the sender comprises a plurality of exchange rates between different forms of value.

40. The method of transferring value of claim 39 , wherein the exchange rates relate to exchanges between different forms of currency.

41. The method of transferring value of claim 39 , further comprising receiving a selection from the sender from among the plurality of exchange rates indicating a transaction exchange rate from a form of value tendered by the recipient to a form of value to be received by the recipient.

42. The method of transferring value of claim 41 , wherein displaying the transaction cost information to the sender comprises displaying a notification to the sender that the transaction exchange rate will be re-determined if the recipient has not received the value within a specified period of time.

43. The method of transferring value of claim 42 , wherein the request to receive the value from the recipient comprises a request to receive the value in a different form than selected by the sender.

44. The method of transferring value of claim 43 , further comprising re-determining the transaction costs.

45. The method of transferring value of claim 42 , wherein the request to receive the value from the recipient comprises a request to receive the value in the same form selected by the sender.