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Access to payment systems

Access to the UK’s interbank retail payment systems, such as the Bacs Payment System (Bacs), the Faster Payment System (FPS) and the Image Clearing System (ICS), is vital for Payment Service Providers (PSPs) to offer the services their end users need.

Generally, there are two routes for PSP organisations to gain access to our payment systems: direct and indirect. The difference between the two routes is outlined below, and the selection of the most appropriate option will depend on an organisation’s specific requirements.

  • Direct access
    An organisation is considered to have direct access to a payment system if they are able to provide payment services, as a result of having an arrangement with the payment system operator (PSO). This arrangement is achieved by participating in a payment system.

 

  • Indirect access

    An organisation is considered to have indirect access to a payment system if they have a contractual arrangement with an organisation that already has direct access to that payment system and is also an indirect access provider (IAP). This access method is also commonly known as sponsored access, and provides an alternative route to direct access.

 

In some cases there may be alternative access options depending on your needs. Further access information for the payment systems operated by Pay.UK can be found below, while details covering CHAPS and LINK can be obtained on the respective websites.

More information, specifically for authorised payment and e-money institution payment service providers (non-bank ) that would like to access the UK’s interbank retail payment systems directly, can be found in the dedicated information guide, below:

What is the best access option to meet my end users’ needs?

The access option best suited to your business will depend upon a number of factors, including:

  • Your proposition
  • The products you wish to offer to your end users
  • The type and volume of payments you need to make
  • How you prefer to connect to the payment systems’ infrastructure
  • Whether you want to take on the obligations and responsibilities of direct participation
  • Whether your organisation can meet the access criteria required for direct participation.

Further information

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