Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an electronic funds transfer authentication system and method to facilitate the verification and authentication of a user and the ownership of the source account from which funds are being transferred to another account. The user and transfer data is validated, and then the electronic funds transfer is validated using payment analytics that analyze the behavioral characteristics of the user which may be derived from both internal and external sources of information. Using a unique combination of security measures and procedures, the risk associated with various types of fund transfers is reduced, thereby enabling a financial institution to protect its customers' accounts with a greater degree of certainty.