1.This Directive lays down the rules in accordance with which Member States shall distinguish the following six categories of payment service provider:
credit institutions within the meaning of Article 4(1)(a) of Directive 2006/48/EC, including branches within the meaning of Article 4(3) of that Directive located in the Community of credit institutions having their head offices inside or, in accordance with Article 38 of that Directive, outside the Community;
electronic money institutions within the meaning of Article 1(3)(a) of Directive 2000/46/EC;
post office giro institutions which are entitled under national law to provide payment services;
payment institutions within the meaning of this Directive;
the European Central Bank and national central banks when not acting in their capacity as monetary authority or other public authorities;
Member States or their regional or local authorities when not acting in their capacity as public authorities.
2.This Directive also lays down rules concerning transparency of conditions and information requirements for payment services, and the respective rights and obligations of payment service users and payment service providers in relation to the provision of payment services as a regular occupation or business activity.