According to the United States
Electronic Fund Transfer Act of 1978 it is "a funds transfer initiated through an electronic terminal, telephone, computer (including on-line banking) or magnetic tape for the purpose of ordering, instructing, or authorizing a financial institution to
debit or
credit a consumer's account". EFT transactions are known by a number of names across countries and different payment systems. For example, in the
United States, they may be referred to as "electronic
checks" or "e-checks". In the
United Kingdom, the term "
BACS Payment", "bank transfer" and "bank payment" are used, in
Canada, "
e-Transfer" is used, while in several
European countries "
giro transfer" is the common term. == Types ==