Acceptance Policy
This Acceptance Policy explains the criteria Fasto uses to assess eligibility for payment processing, banking, and related services. It is designed to provide transparency while allowing flexibility for case-by-case review.
Jurisdictions We Support
Fasto primarily supports businesses operating through companies registered in:
European Union (EU)
European Economic Area (EEA)
United Kingdom
Schengen Area
Switzerland
United States
Canada
Companies registered outside these regions may still apply, however approval is not guaranteed and depends on a full review of the business structure, ownership, management control, and risk profile.
Company Structure and Management
When reviewing an application, Fasto considers:
Country of incorporation
Location of directors and key decision makers
Ownership and shareholder structure
Where day-to-day management and control take place
Business substance and operational footprint
Geographic distribution of customers and sales
Director or management location outside the UK or EEA does not automatically disqualify a business, but it may require additional review.
Industries We Support
Fasto supports businesses across all industries, provided the activity is legal to operate and compliant with card scheme rules and partner requirements.
We do not restrict industries by category alone. Each business is assessed based on legality, structure, risk profile, and compliance posture.
Regulated and License-Required Industries
Some industries require specific licences or regulatory approvals to operate legally. Where a licence is required:
The business must already hold a valid and appropriate licence
Licences must be issued locally or within the EU, EEA, United Kingdom, United States, or Canada
The licence must be relevant to the activity being processed
If a required licence is missing, offshore-only, or not recognised by our partner banks or card schemes, we cannot assist.
Fasto does not provide services intended to bypass, circumvent, or workaround Visa, Mastercard, or partner compliance requirements.
Each case is assessed individually based on regulatory compliance and risk.
Banking and IBAN Access
Access to compliant business banking is part of the onboarding assessment. Fasto provides business IBAN accounts for eligible companies registered in the EU, EEA, UK, Schengen Area, Norway, or Switzerland, including startups and higher-risk businesses.
Banking availability depends on company structure, jurisdiction, risk profile, and customer geography.
Startups and Early-Stage Businesses
Fasto actively works with startups and early-stage businesses, provided they meet certain minimum criteria. While a long operating history is not always required, startups must demonstrate credibility, planning, and readiness for compliant processing.
When assessing startups, we typically look for:
A strong economic background or prior business history from the founders or directors
Bank statements or financial evidence that support the projected business activity
A realistic minimum processing expectation of at least 25,000 per month within the first six months
Full compliance with Visa and Mastercard rules, scheme requirements, and partner bank policies
Proven experience in the same or a closely related industry if the company itself has limited history
A responsive and proactive approach during onboarding, including timely submission of documents and cooperation during approval timelines
Startups that cannot meet these points may require additional review or restructuring before onboarding.
Businesses That Do Not Yet Meet Criteria
Some businesses may not meet the Acceptance Policy criteria at the time of application due to their current structure, jurisdiction, or readiness. This does not automatically mean they are rejected.
In certain cases, eligibility can be improved by operating through a compliant EU structure with appropriate substance and management.
At this time, Fasto can assist with:
Company incorporation in Cyprus
Company incorporation in Estonia
Supporting director and management structuring within these jurisdictions
These services are provided through extended group services and are intended to help businesses become compliant with acceptance requirements. They do not guarantee approval.
Future Plans and Restructuring
Applications are assessed based on the current company setup rather than future intentions. However, many businesses apply early so Fasto can provide guidance on:
Whether restructuring may be required
Suitable jurisdictions between Cyprus or Estonia
Banking and compliance considerations before onboarding
Local Market Presence Requirement
To support compliance with partner bank and card scheme expectations, businesses are generally expected to demonstrate a meaningful level of local market activity in their country of incorporation.
As a guideline:
A minimum of approximately 10 to 30 percent of total sales should originate from the local market
The remaining volume may be generated internationally
Local market alignment should match the country of incorporation:
EU or EEA companies should have EU-based customers
UK companies should have UK-based customers
US companies should have US-based customers
This requirement helps demonstrate genuine business substance and reduces regulatory and scheme risk. Exact thresholds may vary based on industry, business model, and partner requirements.
Case-by-Case Review
Fasto does not operate on automatic approvals or blanket rejections. Every application is reviewed individually, taking into account:
Business model
Processing volumes
Target markets
Fraud and chargeback risk
Compliance and regulatory posture
How to Apply
If you would like your business to be reviewed, or if you are unsure whether you meet the Acceptance Policy criteria, you can apply for an assessment here:
Our team will review your setup and advise on eligibility and, where appropriate, on compliance or restructuring options.
Ongoing Review and Policy Updates
All merchants onboarded with Fasto are subject to ongoing review as required by regulatory obligations, partner bank requirements, and card scheme rules. Reviews may occur periodically or when material changes are identified, including changes in business activity, volume, ownership, geography, or risk profile.
This Acceptance Policy is reviewed and updated as necessary to reflect regulatory developments, partner requirements, and internal risk standards.
Termination Rights and Notice Periods
Fasto reserves the right to terminate or suspend services if a merchant no longer meets acceptance requirements, compliance obligations, or partner bank or card scheme rules.
Where termination is initiated by the merchant, a notice period of up to three months may apply, subject to contractual terms and outstanding obligations.
Where termination is initiated by Fasto due to risk, compliance, regulatory, or partner requirements, termination may take effect immediately or with no notice period where required.
Termination decisions are made to protect Fasto, its partners, and the integrity of the payment ecosystem.
Soft Decline and Hard Decline Framework
Applications may be declined either on a temporary or permanent basis.
A soft decline may apply where a business does not currently meet acceptance requirements but could become eligible through structural changes, additional documentation, jurisdictional alignment, licensing, or demonstrated operating history.
A hard decline applies where a business model, jurisdiction, licensing status, or risk profile does not meet acceptance criteria and cannot be remedied.
Where appropriate, Fasto may indicate potential paths to eligibility. This does not constitute a guarantee of approval.