Embodiments of the invention include an electronic payment system that allows person-to-person (P2P) payments and requests for payment, consumer-to-consumer (C2C) payments and requests for payment, and use of a P2P service by a business which in turn offers the service to its customers for making payments and requests for payment. The system and service allow users to make payments from their existing financial accounts to anyone, anywhere without funding a special account and managing a third-party relationship separate from the relationship the user has with the financial institution. The service further allows users to receive payments without registering for a third-party service. In embodiments, the service is available as an integrated banking service alongside current financial institution electronic banking services already used by customers. A bank customer can use the payment service directly from within a bank or bank web site.