Abstract: The present invention provides a fully automated and secure bill payment system which is extremely simple for clients to operate. A processing web site is established which interconnects via the Internet to a plurality of financial institutions, billers and clients. Each biller has an established web site into which a client of the biller can enter and view a bill image using a personal computer or similar device connected to the Internet. The bill image is actually part of a HTML form which contains hidden identifying information of the biller. To facilitate payment, the client selects a bill payment icon presented graphically within the body of the bill image. This action initiates a sequence of events, including the forwarding of the HTML form to the processing web site, a confirmation message being sent to the client, confirmation by the client, and the debiting and crediting of client and biller accounts respectively.