Payment system and methods

1. An automated system comprising at least one computer, wherein the system performs the following steps, wherein each step is performed by a computer:

receiving at least one signal from a card;

sending the signal received from the card into a routing system;

after the sending step, receiving a signal, and depending on the signal received, conditionally effecting a transaction with a holder of the card.

2. The automated system of claim 1 , wherein the system further performs, by a computer, the following steps:

conditionally sending a message to cause an institution to send an ACH entry to the Federal Reserve ACH system, to pass the entry to a bank, where an account is issued a debit, to cause a transfer of funds to an owner of a retail site where the signal was received from the card.

3. The automated system of claim 2 , further comprising a point of sale terminal via which the signal from the card is received.

4. The automated system of claim 1 , further comprising an in-retailer server.

5. The automated system of claim 1 , further comprising telecommunications hardware.

6. The automated system of claim 1 , further comprising a translator device.

7. An automated system comprising:

a point of sale terminal;

a computer that performs steps of receiving at least one signal from a card; sending the signal received from the card into a routing system; and, after the sending step, receiving a signal, and depending on the signal received, conditionally effecting a transaction with a holder of the card.

8. The automated system of claim 7 , further comprising an in-retailer server.

9. The automated system of claim 7 , further comprising telecommunications hardware.

10. The automated system of claim 7 , further comprising a translator device.

11. An automated system comprising:

a point of sale terminal via which a signal from a card is received;

a computer that performs a step of conditionally sending a message to cause an institution to send an ACH entry to the Federal Reserve ACH system, to pass the entry to a bank, where an account is issued a debit, to cause a transfer of funds to an owner of a retail site where the signal was received from the card.

12. The automated system of claim 11 , further comprising an in-retailer server.

13. The automated system of claim 11 , further comprising telecommunications hardware.

14. The automated system of claim 11 , further comprising a translator device.