Abstract: A device, system, and method for conducting a secure transaction over a network includes receiving from a user, being issued a stored-value financial instrument, a dollar amount to be associated to the stored-value financial instrument, communicating the dollar amount to a debit agent residing on a network processing and communication device, receiving at the debit agent a selection of a non-integrated financial institution selected from a list that includes at least one non-integrated financial institution, receiving at the debit agent a financial-institution user-identifier from the user, communicating the financial-institution user-identifier from the debit agent to the selected non-integrated financial institution, participating in a user-free electronic dialogue between the debit agent and the selected non-integrated financial institution, the dialogue including a request to transfer funds from the selected non-integrated financial institution, and transferring, with the debit agent, the funds from the s

Abstract: A method for conducting a secure transaction over a network includes the steps of receiving a price and a transaction identifier from a merchant, the transaction identifier identifying a purchase selection made by a user, receiving a user identifier from a user, receiving a financial institution selection from the user, initiating a communication session with the selected financial institution, receiving a financial-institution user-identifier from the user, communicating the financial-institution user-identifier to the selected financial institution, communicating to the selected financial institution a request to transfer funds, receiving the funds from the selected financial institution, and sending the funds to the merchant.