Indirect access
An organisation is considered to have indirect access to a payment system if they have a contractual arrangement with an indirect access provider that already has direct access to that payment system.
This method is also commonly known as ‘sponsored access’ or ‘agency banking’ and provides an alternative route to direct participation.
An organisation accessing one or more payment system(s) through an indirect access provider is commonly known as an agency payment service provider (PSP), or indirect PSP.
Similar to direct participants, indirect PSPs have an obligation to abide by relevant rules and regulations. Importantly, an indirect access provider offering sponsored access will support an indirect PSP to understand its obligations, and how to comply with rules for processing payments.
To access payment services via this type of arrangement, you will need to engage with one or more of the existing indirect access providers to discuss the services they can offer your business.
The following organisations are currently indirect access providers, and offer sponsored access to the UK interbank retail payment systems:
You can find the voluntary code of conduct for indirect access providers in this section, which sets out best practice guidance for key elements of the commercial arrangements between indirect access providers and indirect PSPs.