> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.alignlabs.dev/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.alignlabs.dev/compliance/prohibited-and-restricted-use/restrictions-on-financial-institutions.md). # Restrictions on Financial Institutions Regulated financial institutions, including banks, electronic money institutions, payment institutions, money service businesses and similar regulated entities, are restricted to **first-party payment activity only**. This means: * The regulated financial institution must be the direct customer. * Payments must be made solely for the institution’s own operational or corporate purposes. * The institution must act on its own behalf and for its own account. The following activities are not permitted: * Acting as an intermediary, agent, correspondent, processor, gateway or platform for third-party merchants, clients or end users. * Collecting, receiving, holding, pooling, settling or forwarding funds on behalf of underlying customers or beneficiaries. * Operating as a payment facilitator, programme manager, sponsor or pass-through payments provider. If a financial institution wishes to use the full scope of Align’s services, including third-party settlements and virtual accounts, its underlying customers (both individuals and businesses) **must be onboarded directly with Align.** --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.alignlabs.dev/compliance/prohibited-and-restricted-use/restrictions-on-financial-institutions.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.