PSP Consulting

Expert advisory for payment service providers

Whether you're building a PSP from the ground up, scaling an existing operation, or navigating a complex regulatory or commercial challenge, we bring the hands-on PSP expertise that generalist consultants can't match.

What PSP consulting from Fin-Pro looks like

Payment service providers operate in one of the most complex commercial environments in financial services. Scheme rules, regulatory obligations, acquiring bank relationships, fraud liability, and technology architecture all interact in ways that create both risk and opportunity, and where the wrong decision in any one area can have cascading consequences across the business.

Fin-Pro's PSP consulting practice is built on direct operating experience. Our team has held senior roles at payment networks, acquiring banks, and leading PSPs, which means we understand the commercial realities of the PSP model, not just the theory. We work with PSPs at every stage: from pre-launch strategy through to scaling, regulatory challenges, and exit preparation.

PSP Strategy & Commercial Model

Positioning, pricing strategy, scheme selection, and go-to-market design for PSPs entering new verticals or geographies.

Licensing & Regulatory Advisory

EMI and PI licence applications, PSD2 compliance, scheme certification, and ongoing regulatory relationship management.

Processing Architecture

Acquiring bank selection, gateway design, settlement structure, scheme connectivity, and technical architecture review.

Scheme Agreement Negotiation

Visa and Mastercard scheme agreement review, negotiation support, and compliance programme design.

Market Expansion

Entry strategy, local regulatory mapping, partner introductions, and go-to-market execution for new geographies.

M&A Due Diligence

PSP-specific due diligence for investors and acquirers, licensing, scheme agreements, revenue quality, and operational risk.

Why specialist PSP advisory matters

Most management consultants and advisory firms treat PSPs as a subcategory of "payments", applying generic frameworks to businesses whose value and risk profile is determined by highly specific factors: the quality of their scheme agreements, the stability of their regulatory standing, the architecture of their processing stack, and the depth of their acquiring relationships.

Getting these wrong is expensive. We have seen PSPs lose scheme agreements because a change-of-control provision was not identified in due diligence. We have seen regulatory sanctions imposed because a licence was not updated as the business evolved. We have seen processing architectures that looked efficient on paper create significant operational risk under volume stress.

Our PSP consulting engagements are scoped to your specific situation, from a focused advisory session to address a specific challenge, to a full strategic review and execution programme. We don't apply templates; we apply expertise.

Who we work with

Our PSP consulting practice serves a range of clients across the payments ecosystem:

Established PSPs

PSPs looking to expand into new markets, renegotiate scheme agreements, respond to regulatory change, or prepare for a transaction. We provide the specialist depth that internal teams and generalist advisors cannot.

New Market Entrants

Businesses, including banks, fintechs, and international PSPs, looking to establish payment service provider operations in new jurisdictions. We map the regulatory path, identify the right partners, and help design a commercially viable operating model.

Investors & Acquirers

Private equity, strategic acquirers, and lenders who need specialist PSP due diligence as part of a transaction process. We identify the risks that matter and give you the information you need to transact with confidence.

FAQ

Common questions about PSP consulting

What is a PSP and how does it differ from an acquirer?
A Payment Service Provider (PSP) is a company that provides payment processing services to merchants, often aggregating multiple payment methods and acquirer relationships under one integration. An acquirer is a licensed financial institution that has a direct relationship with card schemes (Visa, Mastercard) and processes card transactions on behalf of merchants. Many PSPs are not acquirers themselves, they route transactions through acquiring banks they are connected to. Some larger PSPs hold their own acquiring licences.
What licences does a PSP need to operate in Europe?
In Europe, PSPs typically need either an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence or a Payment Institution (PI) licence under PSD2. An EMI licence allows you to issue e-money and hold customer funds; a PI licence covers payment initiation and execution without holding funds. Licences are granted by national regulators and can be passported across the EU/EEA. Additionally, PSPs need direct or indirect membership with card schemes (Visa, Mastercard) to process card transactions.
How long does it take to get a PSP licence?
The timeline varies significantly by jurisdiction and licence type. In the UK, FCA authorisation typically takes 6–12 months. In other EU jurisdictions, timelines range from 4–18 months depending on the regulator, application quality, and complexity of the business model. Preparation time, including building out governance, compliance frameworks, and capital arrangements, often adds 3–6 months before the application is even submitted.
What are scheme agreements and why do they matter?
Scheme agreements are contracts between a PSP and card schemes (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) that govern the terms under which the PSP can process card transactions. They define fee structures, liability arrangements, compliance obligations, and operational requirements. The quality of your scheme agreements directly impacts your unit economics and operational flexibility. Poorly negotiated agreements can create significant commercial disadvantage or operational risk.
How can Fin-Pro help with PSP due diligence?
We provide specialist PSP due diligence for investors and acquirers, covering areas that generalist advisors typically miss: licensing status and regulatory risk, scheme agreement terms and transferability, processing architecture quality, acquiring relationship stability, revenue quality and merchant concentration, fraud and chargeback metrics, and operational risk factors. We identify the issues that matter and give you the information you need to transact with confidence.
What does PSP market expansion involve?
Expanding a PSP into a new market involves multiple workstreams: regulatory analysis and licence strategy (passport vs. new application), local acquiring partner selection, scheme agreement extensions, local payment method integration, compliance programme adaptation, and commercial go-to-market planning. Each market has its own regulatory nuances, payment preferences, and competitive dynamics. We help you navigate this complexity with structured planning and local market insight.

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