In one embodiment, a computerized method for authenticating a financial account when making a purchase utilizes a merchant computer system which receives a purchase request from an account holder. The merchant computer system prepares transaction data that comprises account holder account data and authentication information. The transaction data is transmitted to a financial institution of the account holder. Subsequently, the merchant computer system receives the authentication information that was obtained by the account holder from the financial institution. The authentication information from the account holder is analyzed and future transactions are authenticated if the authentication information is correct.