Banks & EMIs

Banking for the payments industry

Payment companies need banks in two roles: as partners that sponsor card programmes or provide acquiring, and as account providers that hold client funds and operating money. Neither is easy to get for PSPs, exchangers or high-risk merchants. This section lists {count} banks, electronic money institutions and BaaS platforms that state they work with such businesses.

Subsections

• Acquiring banks — card acquiring for PSPs and merchants, including high-risk.
• Business accounts — operating and settlement accounts with SEPA and SWIFT.
• EMI & payment institutions — IBAN accounts, multi-currency wallets, safeguarding accounts.
• Crypto-friendly banks — banks that onboard exchangers, OTC desks and crypto companies.
• BIN sponsors & BaaS — card issuing sponsorship and banking-as-a-service infrastructure.

Bank or EMI?

A bank can lend and usually offers deposit protection; an EMI cannot lend, keeps client money in safeguarding accounts and is typically faster to onboard with digital-first processes. Many payment businesses run both: an EMI for daily payments and virtual IBANs, and a bank for larger balances and credibility with partners.

What matters when applying

• Risk appetite: which industries and countries of incorporation are accepted.
• Onboarding: documents, source-of-funds evidence, expected turnover, timelines.
• Rails: SEPA, SEPA Instant, SWIFT, Faster Payments, local rails; supported currencies.
• Pricing: account fees, transfer fees, FX margins, minimum balance.
• Stability: history of de-risking in your segment and notice periods for closure.

By country

Country pages narrow the list: banks in the UK, Lithuania, UAE, Singapore. Often the right jurisdiction depends on your licence — see payment licensing and company formation.

Nominal hub is a directory, not a banking introducer: approval decisions are made by each institution. Check Offers for published terms or post a request describing your business.