The textbook examines the issues of formation and structural restructuring of payment systems at the present stage of economic development, and also provides a description of the current forms and tools for making cash payments and settlements in global financial practice. The types of payment systems, features of their functioning in the field of retail and large transfers, methods for optimizing settlement and operational risks, the role of central banks in increasing the efficiency and reliability of the functioning of payment systems and monitoring their activities are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the development of the payment system of the Bank of Russia and payment methods in Russian banking practice. In preparing the manual, materials from a lecture course on the organization of payment systems and payment forms, given by V.M., were used. Usoskin at the Faculty of Economics of the National Research University Higher School of Economics in 2008–2010. The manual is intended for teachers, graduate students and students of financial universities, and can also serve as a source of information for anyone interested in the state and prospects for the development of payment institutions in modern society.