The following is from the PC World review of paypal, the facts can be confirmed by clicking on "LEARN MORE" from the paypal web site.

"Its parent, Confinity, hopes to make money on the float--that is, the short term investment it will make with payments in user accounts until the funds are actually withdrawn"

The paypal web site says that you can request a direct deposit and it will be DEPOSITED WITHIN TWO TO THREE DAYS. This doesn't sound instant to me.

I have no ax to grind. I'm just tired of people asking me to sign up for a service that I have no intention of using. I refuse to give my bank account number and whatever other information they ask for.