1. A method of using a transaction system to provide approval of a transaction between a payee and a payor, the transaction system having a central database that has stored therein a biometric template associated with the payor through a payor identification code, and at least one approval station configured to access the central database, wherein the method comprises: receiving, at the approval station, a biometric sample proffered by the payor via a biometric identification device; receiving, at the approval station, an identification code proffered by the payor; sending from the approval station to the central database the identification code proffered by the payor; comparing, at the central database, the proffered identification code to payor identification codes stored in the central database; making, at the central database, a first determination whether the proffered identification code matches a payor identification code stored in the central database; in the event the proffered identification code matches a payor identification code stored in the central database, selecting at the central database one or more potential matching biometric templates based on the proffered identification code; receiving at the approval station the one or more potential matching biometric templates from the central database; comparing at the approval station the proffered biometric sample to the one or more potential matching biometric templates received from the central database; making, at the approval station, a second determination of whether the proffered biometric sample matches one of the one or more potential matching biometric templates; and in the event that the proffered biometric sample matches one of the one or more potential matching biometric templates, approving, at the approval station, the transaction.