Abstract: A method of operating a matching server for facilitating authorization of payment for a transaction between a customer and a merchant at a point of sale is described. The method includes receiving a merchant match request from a merchant bank server, receiving a customer match request from a customer bank server, and performing a matching operation to determine whether the transaction information included in the merchant match request and the transaction information included in the customer match request satisfy a transaction authorization criteria. If the transaction authorization criteria is satisfied payment for the transaction is deemed to be authorized, and a merchant bank confirmation confirming authorization of the payment for the transaction is communicated to one or both of the merchant bank server and the merchant apparatus.