A method to operating a deposit account for a customer is provided. The method comprises maintaining a deposit account for a customer on a third party server, said deposit account comprising a customer deposits component, and a brand deposits component, wherein the customer deposits component comprises cash received from the customer, and the brand deposits component comprises brand deposits received from at least one brand owner; enabling the customer to make a payment request to at least partially pay for an item with funds from the deposit account during a check out process at a retailer; enabling said retailer to initiate a payment authorization request to the third party server in respect of the payment request; processing the payment authorization request by the third party server, comprising generating a payment authorization response to said retailer; wherein said payment authorization response includes an authorization message selectively generated to authorize the retailer to accept payment via the deposit account.
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