Others have already mentioned cheques, and those were standard for most non-urgent matters. But in a loose sense, electronic payment has been around for quite

Others have already mentioned cheques, and those were standard for most non-urgent matters. But in a loose sense, electronic payment has been around for quite a while. 50 or 100 years ago, a business with a large, outstanding tax debt might well pay it by wire transfer. Basically a cheque done quickly by telegram, later telex, then computerized. And it's still around apparently -- the Canada Revenue Agency says I can pay my taxes from abroad by wire transfer.