A process and system for seeking authorization for present receipt of legal tender in a requested amount, including: receiving an input entered through a user interface, the input comprising a value for the requested amount (encoded information from an identification item may also be read); transmitting the input over a data transfer pathway to a remote processor; automatically determining whether authorization of the requested amount, or a lesser amount, is granted; and if authorization is so granted, reading indicia information on a post-dated draft item for a sum total equal to at least an authorized amount plus a fee (if a draft item is being used for the present receipt of tender), and automatically providing an article for use to effectuate the present receipt of the legal tender in this authorized amount. The indicia information is also preferably transmitted over the data transfer pathway. An intermediary may be employed in the process. The input value may be less than an amount due a requester at a later date from a payor according to a current arrangement in effect between the requester and the payor (e.g., an employment arrangement); and in this case, a transmission of information to the payor can be included in the process to direct that a payment be made to the intermediary on the later date. Also, a program code on a computer readable storage medium for seeking authorization for present receipt of legal tender in a requested amount.