I just learned from my bank about the system being built for direct payments between individuals. You don't have to know their bank account number and they don't know yours. The service is free. It works with any bank in the US. There is a limit to the size of the transaction, but it's in the thousands.

The networks started with Bank of America (where I bank), Wells Fargo, and Chase. I haven't used it yet but signed up with my email address. If you are using a web phone, it will also work with your mobile phone number (requires an app). If you bank with one of the founding banks, you sign up at your bank's on-line web site. For other banks, start with the ClearXchange link below.

If you want to send me money, please feel free .

Here's the site with info on how the system works:

https://www.clearxchange.com/payments/how-it-works?7

I haven't had a problem with the PayPal personal payment system, but not everybody uses PayPal. Some are even philosophically opposed to it. Here's an alternative.