Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present
invention provide for conducting financial transactions over a network. A
user requests to execute at least one financial transaction with at least
one of a number of parties, each of the parties corresponding to a data
processing system on the network. Real-time financial information
relating to the financial transaction is obtained, and the user can test
and confirm that the financial transaction with the at least one party
can take place prior to execution of the financial transaction.