Purchasing on the internet using verified order information and bank payment assurance

A method for conducting a purchase of goods or services over the internet, the purchase being made by a customer using a merchant for goods or services and wherein a bank assures payment to the merchant for said purchase, comprising:

• creating a customer account with the bank, said customer account being associated with said customer;
• the customer account also having an internet specific account number;
• obtaining computerized order information placed from an ordering computer using a first internet communications link which indicates an order for chosen goods or services being sought for purchase by the customer using the merchant;
• said obtaining computerized order information further including said internet specific account number;
• establishing communications between said merchant and said bank using a second internet communications link and communicating at least said internet specific account number therewith and a request for assurance of payment;
• establishing communications between said bank and said customer using a third internet communications link and communicating order information therewith;
• performing a verification analysis by using said communications between said bank and said customer;
• communicating a response to said request for assurance of payment to the merchant in connection with said verification analyses which is used to condition whether assurance of payment is made by the bank to the merchant.