Stepping back out, payment networks arose from the need to 1, supply short term credit facilities to consumers, and 2, to create trusted replacement for 'cash' and 'checks'. Need 1 will continue to exist and be monetized as it currently is, and to a large extent fund the adoption of credit oriented payment networks. As banks finally do (driven by competition, and by disruptors) what they should have about 10 years ago, but didn't for the fear of ruining their profitable credit and debit portfolios, simple common-sense ACH/ bank transfer based payments will get their due day and may even replace the networks. To do so rapidly, there would need to be some monetization catalyst e.g., a graduated flat charge for ACH payments to cover the ACH risk and leave some left over for profits. In its absence, banks will continue the two step tango of offering cheap or free ACH payments via online banking and dreaming up of barriers to prevent it from taking off too fast!