Method and system for processing internet payments using the electronic funds transfer network

• US 20030140004A1
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: The Chase Manhattan Bank (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Inventors: OʼLeary, Denis, DʼAgostino, Vincent, Re, S. Richard, Burney, Jessica, Hoffman, Adam
• Granted Patent: US 7,676,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/22 Payment schemes or models
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered

Abstract

A system and method for effectuating Electronic Funds Transfer credit messages. The main structural components of the system include a Payment Portal Processor (PPP), an Internet Pay Anyone (IPA) Account, a Virtual Private Lockbox (VPL) and an associated Account Reporter, the existing EFT networks, and a cash card for accessing a VPL or IP account. The PPP is a software application that provides a secure portal for accessing (linking to) either the user'"'"'s Demand Deposit Account (DDA) or an IPA account and can be combined with the functionality of a traditional digital Wallet. Consumers use a PPP enhanced Wallet to fund their account, shop on the web, pay bills, pay anyone, store electronic receipts and transaction history, and check their recent PPP enhanced Wallet activity. The IPA account is a special purpose account with limited functionality for making electronic payments in the form of EFT credit messages. The VPL is a limited function receive only account for receiving electronic payments through the EFT. The Account Reporter is a portal to view transaction history and balance of IPA and VPL accounts, provide online, real-time transaction reports, and to reconciles accounts receivable/purchase records against incoming EFT payment records. A physical card can be associated with either an IPA or VPL account in order to provide PIN debit capability.

Claims

1. A method for effectuating an electronic payment between a payor and a payee using an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) network, the payor having a payor account at a payor institution and the payee having a payee account at a payee institution, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a payment authorization identifying the payee institution, the payee account and an amount of the payment;

transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution;

debiting the payor account by the amount of the payment;

transmitting from the payor institution to the payee institution through the EFT network an EFT credit message representing a credit in the amount of the payment; and

crediting the payee account in the amount of the payment in response to the receipt of the EFT credit message.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of identifying payee information, the payee information including the payee institution and the payee account.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the identifying step further comprises the step of retrieving the payee information from an Internet site.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the identifying step and the steps of generating and transmitting the payment authorization is performed by a Wallet software application.

5. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the payee information is pushed to the payor from the Internet site.

6. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the payee information is pulled by the payor from the Internet site.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the Internet site contains a directory of payee information for a plurality of payees and wherein the step of pulling the payee information further comprises the step of selecting the payee information from the directory.

8. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the identifying step further comprises the step of retrieving the payee information from a directory containing payee information for a plurality of payees.

9. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the identifying step further comprises the step of retrieving the payee information from a pull down menu displayed on a device employed by the payor.

10. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the identifying step further comprises the step of the payor keying the payee information into a device employed by the payor.

11. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the identifying step further comprises the step of retrieving the payee information by phone.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the payee institution and the payor institution are financial institutions.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the payee institution and the payor institution are banks.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a payment message, the payment message containing an identification of the payee institution, the payee account and the amount of the payment.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the payment authorization is generated in response to the receipt of the payment message.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming the validity of the identification of the payee institution and payee account prior to the step of transmitting the EFT credit message.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the confirmation step is accomplished through the EFT network.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the confirmation step is accomplished through the Internet.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a payment confirmation to the payee confirming transmission of the EFT credit message.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the payment confirmation is transmitted prior to the transmission of the EFT credit message.

21. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the payment confirmation is transmitted after the transmission of the EFT credit message.

22. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the payment confirmation is transmitted through the Internet.

23. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the payment confirmation is transmitted by E-mail.

24. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the step of the payee storing the payment confirmation.

25. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution further comprises the step of transmitting the payment authorization through the Internet.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution is accomplished using a personal computer.

27. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution is accomplished using an ATM machine.

28. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution is accomplished by using an Internet enabled Kiosk.

29. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution is accomplished by using an Internet enabled Personal Digital Assistant.

30. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution is accomplished by using an interactive television.

31. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution further comprises the step of transmitting the payment request by telephone.

32. The method as recited in claim 31, wherein the telephone is a cellular telephone.

33. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of performing a settlement between the payor institution and the payee institution at least with respect to the credit contained in the EFT credit message.

34. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the EFT credit message represents a unique credit and not a reversal of a debit.

35. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the payee account is a receive only account.

36. The method as recited in claim 35, further comprising the step of reporting to the payee the crediting of the receive only account.

37. The method as recited in claim 35, further comprising the step of transferring the credited amount of the payment from the receive only account to a different account held by the payee.

38. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the payment authorization identifies the payor account by a first address.

39. The method as recited in claim 38, further comprising the step of receiving credits transmitted to a second address that identifies the payor account.

40. The method as recited in claim 39, further comprising the step of prohibiting debits from the payor account using the second address, whereby the payor can publish the second address for the receipt of credits to the payor account.

41. The method as recited in claim 39, wherein the first and second addresses are different.

42. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the first address additionally identifies the payor institution.

43. The method as recited in claim 38, further comprising the step of linking a physical card to the payor account.

44. The method as recited in claim 43, further comprising the step of requiring a Personal Identification Number (PIN) when the physical card is used to access the payor account.

45. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the payor has a credit card account with an issuer, the method further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a credit request to the issuer in the amount of the payment;

receiving an authorization of the credit request in the amount of the payment; and

crediting the payor account in the amount of the payment.

46. A method for effectuating electronic payments for online purchases made by a consumer from a merchant, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying a purchase amount and merchant information, the merchant information identifying a merchant'"'"'s account holding institution and a merchant'"'"'s account at the merchant'"'"'s account holding institution;

forming a payment authorization identifying the purchase amount and the merchant information;

transmitting the payment authorization to an account holding institution at which the consumer maintains a consumer'"'"'s account;

debiting the consumer'"'"'s account by the purchase amount;

generating an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) credit instruction for crediting the merchant'"'"'s account by the purchase amount;

transmitting the Electronic Funds Transfer credit instruction to the merchant'"'"'s account holding institution through an Electronic Funds Transfer network; and

crediting the merchant'"'"'s account by the purchase amount.

47. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the consumer is a business.

48. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the identifying step further comprises the step of retrieving the merchant information from an Internet site.

49. The method as recited in claim 48, wherein the Internet site is an Internet site of the merchant.

50. The method as recited in claim 49, wherein the merchant information is pushed to the consumer from the merchant'"'"'s Internet site.

51. The method as recited in claim 49, wherein the merchant information is pulled by the consumer from the merchant'"'"'s Internet site.

52. The method as recited in claim 48, wherein the Internet site contains a directory of payee information for a plurality of payees and wherein the step of retrieving the merchant information further comprises the step of selecting the merchant information from the directory.

53. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the identifying step further comprises the step of retrieving the merchant information from a directory containing merchant information for a plurality of merchants.

54. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the identifying step further comprises the step of retrieving the merchant information from a pull down menu displayed on a device employed by the consumer.

55. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the identifying step further comprises the step of the consumer keying the merchant information into a device employed by the consumer.

56. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the consumer'"'"'s account holding institution further comprises the step of transmitting the payment authorization through the Internet.

57. The method as recited in claim 56, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization through the Internet is accomplished with a Wallet software application.

58. The method as recited in claim 56, further comprising the step of providing security with respect to the transmission of the payment authorization through the Internet.

59. The method as recited in claim 58, wherein the step of providing security further comprises a step of authentication.

60. The method as recited in claim 59, wherein the step of providing security further comprises encrypting the payment authorization.

61. The method as recited in claim 56, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the consumer'"'"'s account holding institution is accomplished using a personal computer.

62. The method as recited in claim 56, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the consumer'"'"'s account holding institution is accomplished using an ATM machine.

63. The method as recited in claim 56, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the consumer'"'"'s account holding institution is accomplished using an Internet enabled Kiosk.

64. The method as recited in claim 56, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the consumer'"'"'s account holding institution is accomplished by using an interactive television.

65. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the consumer'"'"'s financial institution further comprises the step of transmitting the payment request by telephone.

66. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein customer'"'"'s account holding institution and the merchant'"'"'s account holding institution are banks.

67. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the step of transmitting the payment authorization to the consumer'"'"'s account holding institution further comprises the step of transmitting the payment authorization by Personal Digital Assistant.

68. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the merchant'"'"'s account is a receive only account.

69. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the customer'"'"'s account holding institution is a bank, and wherein the consumer'"'"'s account is a demand deposit account.

70. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the consumer'"'"'s account is an account only used for making payments using the method of the present invention.

71. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the consumer'"'"'s account is an account only used for making payments and receiving credits using the method of the present invention.

72. The method as recited in claim 46, wherein the consumer'"'"'s account is funded from a different account maintained by the consumer.

73. The method as recited in claim 72, wherein the different account is a demand deposit account.

74. The method as recited in claim 46, further comprising the step of confirming the accuracy of the identification of the merchant'"'"'s account holding institution and the merchant account prior to the step of transmitting the EFT credit message.

75. The method as recited in claim 74, wherein the confirming step is accomplished using the EFT network.

76. The method as recited in claim 46, further comprising the step of transmitting a payment confirmation to the merchant confirming transmission of the EFT credit message.

77. A method for effectuating an electronic credit to a destination account at a destination institution, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying the destination account, the destination institution and an amount of the credit; and

transmitting an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) credit message to the destination institution through an Electronic Funds Transfer network, the EFT credit message representing the credit.

78. The method as recited in claim 77, further comprising the step of crediting the destination account in the amount of the credit in response to the receipt of the EFT credit message.

79. The method as recited in claim 77, wherein the credit originates from an origination account, the method further comprising the step of debiting the origination account in the amount of the credit.

80. The method as recited in claim 77, wherein the destination institution is a bank.

81. A system for effectuating an electronic payment between a payor and a payee using an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) network, the payor having a payor account at a payor institution and the payee having a payee account at a payee institution, the system comprising:

a first software component generating a payment authorization identifying the payee institution, the payee account and an amount of the payment, the first software component further transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution;

a second software component at the payor institution coupled to the first software component and coupled to the EFT network, the second software component receiving the payment authorization and transmitting from the payor institution to the payee institution through the EFT network an EFT credit message representing a credit in the amount of the payment; and

a third software component at the payee institution coupled to the EFT network, the third software component receiving the EFT credit message and crediting the payee account in the amount of the payment.

82. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the first software component is a Wallet software application.

83. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the first software component identifies payee information, the payee information including the payee institution and the payee account.

84. The system as recited in claim 83, wherein the first software component further comprises a retrieval Application Programing Interface (API) for retrieving the payee information from an Internet site.

85. The system as recited in claim 84, wherein the retrieval API retrieves the payee information when it is pushed from the Internet site.

86. The system as recited in claim 84, wherein the retrieval API pulls the payee information from the Internet site.

87. The system as recited in claim 84, wherein the Internet site contains a directory of payee information for a plurality of payees and wherein retrieval API selects the payee information from the directory.

88. The system as recited in claim 83, further comprising a directory containing payee information for a plurality of payees, wherein the first software component identifies the payee information using the directory.

89. The system as recited in claim 81 wherein the payor institution and the payee institution are banks.

90. The system as recited in claim 81, further comprising a device on which the first software component is accessed and controlled.

91. The system as recited in claim 90, further comprising a pull down menu displayed on the device, wherein the pull down menu contains payee information for a plurality of payees.

92. The system as recited in claim 90, further comprising a keyboard coupled to the device, wherein payee information is keyed into the device using the keyboard.

93. The system as recited in claim 90, wherein the device is a personal computer.

94. The system as recited in claim 90, wherein the device is an Internet enabled ATM machine.

95. The system as recited in claim 90, wherein the device is an Internet enabled Kiosk.

96. The system as recited in claim 90, wherein the device is an Internet enabled Personal Digital Assistant.

97. The system as recited in claim 90, wherein the device is an interactive television.

98. The system as recited in claim 90, wherein the device is a telephone.

99. The system as recited in claim 98, wherein the telephone is a cellular telephone.

100. The system as recited in claim 81, further comprising a fourth software component coupled to the first software component, the fourth software component transmitting a payment message to the first software component, the payment message containing an identification of the payee institution, the payee account and the amount of the payment.

101. The system as recited in claim 100, wherein the fourth software component is controlled by the payee.

102. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the first software component confirms the validity of the identification of the payee institution and payee account.

103. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the second software component confirms the validity of the identification of the payee bank and payee account.

104. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the first software component transmits a payment confirmation to the payee confirming transmission of the EFT credit message.

105. The system as recited in claim 104, wherein the payment confirmation is transmitted by E-mail.

106. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein second software component transmits a payment confirmation to the payee confirming transmission of the EFT credit message.

107. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the first software component is coupled to the second software component through the Internet.

108. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the EFT credit message represents a unique credit and not a reversal of a debit.

109. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the payee account is a receive only account.

110. The system as recited in claim 81, further comprising a reporting software component coupled to the payee account, the reporting software component reporting to the payee the crediting of the payee account.

111. The system as recited in claim 81, wherein the payor account has a first address, the first address being used to access the payor account for making payments from the payor account.

112. The system as recited in claim 111, wherein the payor account has a second address, the second address being used to receive credits transmitted to the payor account.

113. The system as recited in claim 112, debits from the payor account are prohibited using the second address, whereby the payor can publish the second address for the receipt of credits to the payor account.

114. The system as recited in claim 112, wherein the first and second addresses are different.

115. The system as recited in claim 111, wherein the first address additionally identifies the payor institution.

116. The system as recited in claim 81, further comprising a physical card logically linked to the payor account.

117. The system as recited in claim 116, wherein the physical card is linked to the payor account through second software component, the second software component requiring a Personal Identification Number (PIN) when the physical card is used to access the payor account.

118. A system for effectuating an electronic payment between a payor and a payee using an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) network, the payor having a payor account at a payor institution and the payee having a payee account at a payee institution, the system comprising:

a first processor generating a payment authorization identifying the payee institution, the payee account and an amount of the payment, the first processor further transmitting the payment authorization to the payor institution;

a second processor at the payor institution coupled to the first processor and coupled to the EFT network, the second processor receiving the payment authorization and transmitting from the payor institution to the payee institution through the EFT network an EFT credit message representing a credit in the amount of the payment; and

a third processor at the payee institution coupled to the EFT network, the third processor receiving the EFT credit message and crediting the payee account in the amount of the payment.

119. The system as recited in claim 118, wherein the payee institution and the payor institution are banks.

120. A system for effectuating electronic payments for online purchases made by a consumer from a merchant, the system comprising:

a consumer device identifying a purchase amount and merchant information, the merchant information identifying a merchant'"'"'s financial institution and a merchant'"'"'s account at the merchant'"'"'s financial institution, the consumer device further transmitting a payment authorization to a financial institution at which the consumer maintains a consumer'"'"'s account, the payment authorization identifying the purchase amount and the merchant information;

a first processor located at the consumer'"'"'s financial institution, the first processor receiving the payment authorization from the consumer device and generating an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) credit instruction for crediting the merchant'"'"'s account by the purchase amount;

an Electronic Funds Transfer network coupled to the first processor, wherein the first processor transmits the Electronic Funds Transfer credit instruction to the merchant'"'"'s financial institution through the Electronic Funds Transfer network; and

a second processor located at the merchant'"'"'s financial institution, the second processor receiving the Electronic Funds Transfer credit instruction and crediting the merchant'"'"'s account by the purchase amount.

121. The system as recited in claim 120, further comprising a first software component and a second software component, each of the first and second software components being controlled by the consumer device, wherein the first software identifies the purchase amount and the merchant information and wherein the second software component transmits the payment authorization to the consumer'"'"'s financial institution.

122. The system as recited in claim 121, further comprising a server, wherein the first software component resides on the consumer device and wherein the second software component resides on a server.

123. The system as recited in claim 122, wherein the server is operated by or on behalf of the consumer'"'"'s financial institution.

124. The system as recited in claim 121, wherein the first and second software components comprise an electronic Wallet.

125. The system as recited in claim 120, further comprising a server hosting an Internet site of the merchant, wherein the consumer device is coupled to the merchant'"'"'s Internet site and wherein the consumer device identifies the purchase amount and the merchant information from merchant'"'"'s Internet site.

126. The system as recited in claim 120, further comprising a security module coupled to the consumer device, the security module providing security with respect to the transmission of the payment authorization.

127. The system as recited in claim 126, wherein the security module performs authentication procedures.

128. The system as recited in claim 126, wherein the security module encrypts the payment authorization.

129. The system as recited in claim 120, wherein the consumer device is a personal computer.

130. The system as recited in claim 120, wherein the consumer device is an Internet enabled ATM machine.

131. The system as recited in claim 120, wherein the consumer device is an Internet enabled Kiosk.

132. The system as recited in claim 120, wherein the consumer device is an interactive television.

133. The system as recited in claim 120, wherein the consumer device is a telephone.

134. The system as recited in claim 133, wherein the telephone is a cellular telephone.

135. The system as recited in claim 120, wherein the consumer device is a Personal Digital Assistant.

136. A system for effectuating an electronic credit from an origination account at an origination institution to a destination account at a destination institution, the system comprising:

a first processor at the origination institution, the first processor generating an Electronic Funds Transfer credit message identifying the destination account, the destination institution and an amount of the credit;

an Electronic Funds Transfer network coupled to the first processor, wherein the first processor transmits the Electronic Funds Transfer credit message to the destination institution through the Electronic Funds Transfer network; and

a second processor at the destination institution, the second processor being coupled to the Electronic Funds Transfer network and receiving the Electronic Funds Transfer credit message from the first processor.

137. The system as recited in claim 136, wherein the second processor credits the destination account in the amount of the credit in response to the receipt of the Electronic Funds Transfer credit message.

138. The system as recited in claim 136, wherein the first processor debits the origination account in the amount of the credit.

139. The system as recited in claim 136, wherein the origination and destination institutions are banks.

140. A method for a user to electronically pay a bill from a biller, the user having a user bank account at a user'"'"'s bank, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a bill payment authorization, the payment authorization identifying a bank of the biller, a bank account of the biller at the biller'"'"'s bank and an amount of the bill payment;

transmitting the bill payment authorization request to the user'"'"'s bank;

debiting the user bank account by the amount of the bill payment;

transmitting through an Electronic Funds Transfer network a Electronic Funds Transfer credit message representing a credit in the amount of the bill payment from the user'"'"'s bank to the biller'"'"' bank; and

crediting the biller'"'"'s bank account in the amount of the bill payment in response to the receipt of the Electronic Funds Transfer credit message.

141. The method as recited in claim 140, wherein the user is a consumer.

142. The method as recited in claim 140, wherein the user is a business.

143. The method as recited in claim 140, further comprising the steps of:

the user connecting to the Internet;

the user connecting to an Internet website of the biller; and

the biller'"'"'s website transmitting to the user a bill payment message, the bill payment message identifying the biller'"'"'s bank, the biller'"'"'s bank account and an amount of the bill payment, wherein the bill payment authorization is generated in response to the bill payment message.

144. The method as recited in claim 140, further comprising the step of notifying the user of a bill to be paid.

145. The method as recited in claim 144, wherein the step of notification further comprises the step of notifying the user electronically through an electronic notification.

146. The method as recited in claim 145, wherein the electronic notification is an E-mail.

147. The method as recited in claim 144, further comprising the step of incorporating a hotlink in the E-mail to the biller'"'"'s website, wherein when the user selects the hotlink, the user is automatically connected to the biller'"'"'s website.

148. The method as recited in claim 140, further comprising the step of generating a payment record in response to the crediting of the biller'"'"'s account.

149. The method as recited in claim 148, wherein the biller maintains an account receivable system, the account receivable system containing information reflecting a billing account associated with the user, the method further comprising the step of reconciling the payment record against the user'"'"'s billing account.

150. The method as recited in claim 140, further comprising the steps of:

the user connecting to the Internet,

the user connecting to an Internet website of a Customer Service Provider (CSP), the CSP performing billing services for the biller; and

the CSP'"'"'s website transmitting to the user a bill payment message, the bill payment message identifying the biller, a bank of the CSP, a bank account of the CSP and an amount of the bill payment, wherein the bill payment authorization is generated in response to the bill payment message, and wherein the CSP'"'"'s bank account is credited in the amount of the bill payment in response to the receipt of the Electronic Funds Transfer credit message.

151. The method as recited in claim 150, further comprising the step of transferring the amount of the bill payment from the CSP'"'"'s bank account to the biller'"'"'s bank account.

152. The method as recited in claim 150, further comprising repeating the process for a plurality of billers for which the CSP performs billing services.

153. The method as recited in claim 150, wherein the biller has a plurality of customers that are users, the method further comprising the step of the biller transferring billing information to the CSP, wherein the billing information includes identification of the users and the bill payment amount with respect to each user.

154. The method as recited in claim 140, further comprising the steps of:

the user connecting to the Internet;

the user connecting to an Internet website of a Customer Service Provider (CSP), the CSP performing billing services for the biller; and

the CSP'"'"'s website transmitting to the user a bill payment message, the bill payment message identifying the biller, a bank of the biller, a bank account of the biller and an amount of the bill payment, wherein the bill payment authorization is generated in response to the bill payment message, and wherein the biller'"'"'s bank account is credited in the amount of the bill payment in response to the receipt of the Electronic Funds Transfer credit message.