Data element specific transaction routing

1. A method for determining a least cost transaction scheme for a merchant, wherein the merchant is associated with a standard industrial classification (SIC) code, the method comprising:

receiving, at a computer system having a processor, a transaction amount obtained from a point of sale device;

calculating, at the computer system, a plurality of transaction fees that comprises a transaction fee for each of a plurality of transaction schemes, wherein each transaction fee is based at least in part on the transaction amount, the SIC code, one of the plurality of transaction schemes, and a bank identification number (BIN) associated with one of the plurality of transaction schemes;

updating, at the computer system, each transaction table from an array of transaction tables with the plurality of transaction fees for each of the plurality of transaction schemes;

accessing, at the computer system, a specific transaction table from the array of transaction tables, wherein the specific transaction table is selected based on the SIC code and the transaction amount, wherein each transaction table within the array of transaction tables associates a plurality of transaction schemes with the plurality of transaction fees;

determining, by the computer system, a least cost transaction scheme associated with the lowest transaction fee listed in the specific transaction table; and

transmitting from the computer system to the point of sale device information usable by the point of sale device to prompt a consumer through the point of sale device to use the least cost transaction scheme.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the prompting comprises prompting the consumer to use a presentation instrument associated with the least cost transaction scheme.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the prompting comprises prompting the consumer to use the least cost transaction scheme on a webpage.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a second least cost transaction scheme; and

communicating the second least cost transaction scheme to the consumer.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of transaction schemes is selected from the group consisting of: credit card payment, signature debit card payment, PIN debit card payment, stored value card payment, cash, electronic balance transfers, and check.

6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the credit card payment comprises a credit card payment from one of a plurality of credit cards.

7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the debit card payment comprises a debit card payment from one of a plurality of debit cards.

8. A method for determining a least cost transaction scheme at a host computer system, the method comprising:

calculating, at the host computer system, a plurality of transaction fees that comprises a transaction fee for each of a plurality of transaction schemes, wherein each transaction fee is based at least in part on a transaction amount, a standard industrial classification (SIC) code, one of the plurality of transaction schemes, and a bank identification number (BIN) associated with one of the plurality of transaction schemes;

maintaining an array of transaction tables, wherein each transaction table is selectable based on the SIC code and the transaction amount, and wherein each transaction table within the array of transaction tables associates the plurality of transaction schemes with the plurality of transaction fees;

updating, at the host computer system, each transaction table from the array of transaction tables with the plurality of transaction fees for the plurality of transaction schemes;

receiving the transaction amount and a merchant ID from a merchant at a host computer system;

looking up the merchant's SIC code based on the merchant ID at the host computer system;

accessing a specific transaction table from the array of transaction tables based on the SIC code and the transaction amount;

determining, by the host computer system, a least cost transaction scheme associated with the lowest transaction fee listed in the specific transaction table; and

sending the least cost transaction scheme to the merchant from the host computer.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of transaction schemes is selected from the group consisting of: credit card payment, signature debit card payment, PIN debit card payment, stored value card payment, cash, electronic balance transfers, and check.

10. A method for determining a least cost transaction scheme for an online purchase, the method comprising:

calculating a plurality of transaction fees that comprises a transaction fee for each of a plurality of transaction schemes, wherein each transaction fee is based at least in part on a transaction amount, a standard industrial classification (SIC) code, one of the plurality of transaction schemes, and a bank identification number (BIN) associated with one of the plurality of transaction schemes;

providing a transaction table array comprising a series of transaction tables, wherein each transaction table is selectable based on the SIC code and the transaction amount, and wherein each transaction table within the transaction table array associates the plurality of transaction schemes with the plurality of transaction fees;

updating each transaction table within the transaction table array with the plurality of transaction fees for the plurality of transaction schemes;

receiving, at a host computer system, the transaction amount from a web server;

selecting, at the host computer system, an appropriate transaction table from the transaction table array based at least in part on the transaction amount and the SIC code;

determining, by the host computer system, the merchant's least cost transaction scheme from the plurality of transaction schemes; and

sending a request for payment from a consumer using the least cost transaction scheme to the web server.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of transaction schemes is selected from the group consisting of: credit card payment, signature debit card payment, PIN debit card payment, stored value card payment, cash, electronic balance transfers, and check.

12. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:

determining a second least cost transaction scheme; and

requesting payment from the consumer on a webpage using the second least cost transaction scheme.