UseMyBank – now UseMyFunds

The service was originally set up to enable Canadian based account holders to make payments online directly via their bank account. No credit card details are required, and the use of the account holder’s own funds to make purchases mean that the service operates more like an electronic cheque or “standing order” service. At the checkout stage on the merchant’s website, the customer merely has to click or tap on the UseMyFunds option. This then prompts the buyer to log in, using their own banking identity and password, authorise the payment.

UseMyFunds users also have the option of signing up for a UseMyCard, which acts as a virtual pre-payment credit card.

Payments are made virtually instantaneously, and are guaranteed to the merchant or vendor once authorisation has been provided by both the buyer and his or her bank. This also means that any disputes arising from the transaction are dealt with between the buyer and vendor directly in the first instance. For this reason the use of a credit card does have the advantage of offering a little more in the way of consumer protection, although clearly the costs of using credit are higher. The customer’s personal banking details are not revealed to the merchant, because the seller is notified of the buyer’s email address only. Therefore, no personal information will be shared as a result of any transaction, so the customer’s privacy is assured.

When signing up, personal information is required to set up the links with the customer’s bank and authorise payments, but this information is not permanently stored by UseMyFunds, again helping to improve the security of personal data and individual payments, and giving the service some security advantages over credit and debit card payments.

The service is now not just available to Canadians, it is now possible for around 1.5 billion customers across the world to open an account, just so long as they have an online banking service. Payments can be made to and accepted by UseMyFunds from around forty countries across the world, including most of the major nations in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. Sadly, the United Kingdom is not currently on the list.

The widespread availability and convenience of this system means that many online bingo sites available to United Kingdom based players accept UseMyFunds as a valid method of payment, even though it is not possible for UK residents to open an account. So for the time being, it’s just our Canadian cousins and various other fortunate foreign nationals who have access to this inexpensive and efficient payment method. And to find the best online bingo titles to make your UseMyFund payments, look no further than the great site reviews here at Busy Bee.