Patent ID: 7606734

Claim:
A computer-implementable method for providing a person-to-person payment service through a computer server of a computer network, comprising steps of: maintaining a database of email addresses corresponding to individuals having accounts that provide the individuals with functionality offered by the computer server for online management of financial transactions; receiving, at the computer server and from a first individual located at a remote computer, send money transaction information, the second money transaction money directing payment of an amount of money from the first individual to a second individual, the send money transaction includes an email address of the second individual; in response to receiving the email address, the computer server searching the database of email addresses for the email address of the second individual; in response to searching the database, the computer server determining if the email address of the second individual is in the database; if the email address is not found in the database, the computer server sending the second individual an email to notify the second individual that the second individual can receive the payment of the amount of money by registering for an account with the computer server; and if the email address is found in the database, the computer server completing a payment of the amount of money from the first individual to the second individual.