The crucial goal of this article is to reveal the real reasons for the SSL success. We will also analyse other e-payment solutions as well as the market of mobile payments. Finally, we will examine the repercussions of electronic payments for the banking system. The structure of the paper is as follows : identification of users? needs, presentation of existing e-payment systems, analysis of competitive, marketing and technological challenges, description of e-payment business models and examination of the impact of e-payments on the banking sector.