First reported April 11, 2007, by Rick Rothacker, McClatchy Newspapers

Bank of America's "Keep the Change" savings program, introduced in 2005, allows participating BofA customers make a purchase with their debit card, the price is rounded up to the nearest dollar. The extra amount is then deposited in the customer's savings account.

Backed by a strong promotional program, in which BofA claims credit for innovative thinking, the program so far has helped 4.3 million account holders save $400 million, a bank spokeswoman said. 

Now a Florida company says it came up with the idea first and that it has a patent on the business method to prove it. The dispute has led to a recent exchange of lawsuits in federal court.  The suit, which also names card network Visa USA Inc., requests a jury trial and damages.

Bank of America so far has declined to comment on the lawsuit.