Article 1 Subject matter
1. This Directive establishes the rules in accordance with which Member States shall distinguish between the following categories of payment service provider:
(a) credit institutions as defined in point (1) of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council [Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1).], including branches thereof within the meaning of point (17) Article 4(1) of that Regulation where such branches are located in the Union, whether the head offices of those branches are located within the Union or, in accordance with Article 47 of Directive 2013/36/EU and with national law, outside the Union;