Abstract: A method including storing a record in an information directory of a computer system. The method also includes receiving a confirmation that a particular identifier of the one or more public identifiers is useable to contact the recipient based on one or more responses to one or more authentication request messages. The method additionally includes receiving, through the computer network, a funds transfer request from a sender having a sender account at a second financial institution. The method further includes determining a private identifier for the recipient account using the information directory based on the particular public identifier of the one or more public identifiers.

Abstract: A method including storing a record in an information directory of a computer system. The method also includes receiving a confirmation that a particular identifier of the one or more public identifiers is useable to contact the recipient based on one or more responses to one or more authentication request messages. The method additionally includes receiving, through the computer network, a funds transfer request from a sender having a sender account at a second financial institution. The method further includes determining a private identifier for the recipient account using the information directory based on the particular public identifier of the one or more public identifiers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented payment processing method includes storing, by a computer system, information regarding a recipient in an account information directory, the account information directory being implemented in a data storage system, the information including a public identifier identifying the recipient, the public identifier including an e-mail address and/or a telephone number assigned to the recipient when the public identifier is stored in the account information directory; receiving, by the computer system, a funds transfer request identifying the recipient by the public identifier, the funds transfer request being received via a computer network; determining, by the computer system, a private identifier for the recipient based on the public identifier; and transmitting, by the computer system, a funds transfer message via a computer network to cause funds to be transferred from a sender to the recipient, the funds transfer message being generated using the private identifier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented payment processing method includes receiving, by a first computer system, a funds transfer request from a sender having a first account at a first financial institution, the first financial institution being a member of a first computer-implemented payment network, the funds transfer request including an identifier for a recipient, the recipient having a second account at a second financial institution, the second financial institution being a member of a second computer-implemented payment network; based upon the identifier for the recipient, determining by the first computer system whether the recipient is registered with the second computer-implemented payment network; and upon determining that the recipient is registered with the second computer-implemented payment network, transmitting by the first computer system a funds transfer message via the first and second computer-implemented payment networks to cause funds to be transferred from the sender to the recipient.

Abstract: A method includes registering a public identifier for a recipient, including authenticating the public identifier; receiving a funds transfer request to transfer funds from a sender to the recipient, the request including the public identifier and being received from a second computer system, the first and second computer systems being associated with a first and second entity, respectively, the recipient having an account at the first entity and the sender having an account at the second entity; identifying the recipient based on the public identifier, including identifying account number information for the recipient based on the public identifier; depositing the funds into the account of the recipient based on the identified account number information; and providing a warranty to the second entity that the public identifier is valid, wherein the first entity is responsible for refunding money to the sender if the identifier is not validly associated with the recipient.

Abstract: A computer-implemented payment processing system includes an account information directory comprising a database of registered users of a payment network, at least one of the registered users having a plurality of public identifiers associated therewith that are stored in the account information directory, at least one of the plurality of public identifiers being useable by the user to send funds to other users and to receive funds from the other users; and a rules engine accessible to the user by way of a computer network, the rules engine being accessible by the user to separately configure attributes of the plurality of public identifiers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented payment processing method includes storing, by a computer system, information regarding a recipient in an account information directory, the account information directory being implemented in a data storage system, the information including a public identifier identifying the recipient, the public identifier comprising at least one of an e-mail address and a telephone number assigned to the recipient when the public identifier is stored in the account information directory; receiving, by the computer system, a funds transfer request identifying the recipient by the public identifier, the funds transfer request being received via a computer network; determining, by the computer system, a private identifier for the recipient based on the public identifier; and transmitting, by the computer system, a funds transfer message via a computer network to cause funds to be transferred from a sender to the recipient, the funds transfer message being generated using the private identifier.

Abstract: A computer-implemented payment processing method includes receiving, by a first computer system, a funds transfer request from a sender having a first account at a first financial institution, the first financial institution being a member of a first computer-implemented payment network, the funds transfer request including an identifier for a recipient, the recipient having a second account at a second financial institution, the second financial institution being a member of a second computer-implemented payment network; based upon the identifier for the recipient, determining by the first computer system whether the recipient is registered with the second computer-implemented payment network; and upon determining that the recipient is registered with the second computer-implemented payment network, transmitting by the first computer system a funds transfer message via the first and second computer-implemented payment networks to cause funds to be transferred from the sender to the recipient.

Abstract: A method includes registering a public identifier for a recipient, including authenticating the public identifier; receiving a funds transfer request to transfer funds from a sender to the recipient, the request including the public identifier and being received from a second computer system, the first and second computer systems being associated with a first and second entity, respectively, the recipient having an account at the first entity and the sender having an account at the second entity; identifying the recipient based on the public identifier, including identifying account number information for the recipient based on the public identifier; depositing the funds into the account of the recipient based on the identified account number information; and providing a warranty to the second entity that the public identifier is valid, wherein the first entity is responsible for refunding money to the sender if the identifier is not validly associated with the recipient.

Abstract: The invention provides a payment interface that is both simple and powerful: one that supports multiple users per customer, with proper roles and financial controls; that hides the details of the underlying payment system(s) and automatically routes payments to the appropriate system; that allows the user to create, save, and schedule groups of payments, where those groups are independent of grouping capabilities of the underlying payment system(s); that provides notification of important events to users and payment recipients; and that automatically processes and takes proper action when it encounters exception conditions.