Yes, I understand that the banking products handle this, but the banking products can only offer what the tax software allows.  Refund Advantage, for example, does not do refund advances when using them through the ProSeries.  But for our other software, Refund Advantage does allow them, so this does have to do with the software product you are using, as well as the bank product you are using.

As for why would anyone want it, we have over 50 clients who come specifically for the refund advances, and would go somewhere else if we couldn't offer them.  Also, under Refund Advantage, if the client chooses the 25% option, there is no charge to the client, the additional charge is to the ERO, and it is worth it to the firm to keep the clients.