---
name: framework-financial-services-faqs
title: FAQs for IBM Cloud for Financial Services
description: Answers to common questions about IBM Cloud for Financial Services and the IBM Cloud Framework for Financial Services.
last-updated: 2026-06-22
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/framework-financial-services?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# FAQs for IBM Cloud for Financial Services
{: #faqs-framework}


Answers to common questions about IBM Cloud for Financial Services and the IBM Cloud Framework for Financial Services.
{: shortdesc}

## What are the supported reference architectures for the IBM Cloud for Financial Services?
{: #reference-architectures}
{: faq}

See [references architectures](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/framework-financial-services?topic=framework-financial-services-reference-architecture-overview&format=markdown).


## What is a _consumer_ and what is an _application provider_?
{: #consumers-providers}
{: faq}


We refer to the entity that uses (consumes) the application as the _consumer_ and the entity that deploys (provides) the application as the _application provider_. This documentation generally assumes that you are a an application provider.

The application provider and consumer might be the same when the organization providing the application also consumes it (for example, a financial institution deploys an application for internal use by others in their company). Or, they can be different when a third-party ISV provides an application for a financial institution to use.

Application providers who are within financial institutions are not beholden to the IBM Cloud Framework for Financial Services control requirements.

## What does it mean for a service to be IBM Cloud for Financial Services Validated?
{: #financial-services-validated}
{: faq}


IBM Cloud for Financial Services Validated designates that an IBM Cloud service or ecosystem partner service has evidenced compliance to the controls of the IBM Cloud Framework for Financial Services and can be used to build solutions that might themselves be validated.

## Should I only use IBM or third-party managed services that are IBM Cloud for Financial Services Validated?
{: #not-financial-services-validated}
{: faq}

Generally speaking, you should strive to use only services which are Financial Services Validated in your solutions. However, depending on your circumstance there may be exceptions. See the best practice [Use only services that are IBM Cloud for Financial Services Validated](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/framework-financial-services?topic=framework-financial-services-best-practices&format=markdown#best-practices-financial-services-validated-services) for more details and potential exceptions.
{: important}

## What if I don't want to use managed services, but I want to install and manage my own software?
{: #self-installed-software}
{: faq}

Self-installed (or "bring your own") software from third parties is permitted without special approval. Examples include databases, logging stacks, web application firewalls, and so on. But just like first-party software you might develop and deploy, self-installed third-party software must comply with all of the requirements of the IBM Cloud Framework for Financial Services. And, it is your responsibility to provide appropriate supporting evidence.

For more information, see [Ensure all usage of software meets IBM Cloud Framework for Financial Services controls](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/framework-financial-services?topic=framework-financial-services-best-practices&format=markdown#best-practices-self-installed-software).

<!-- Just some notes on how to format FAQ entries.

## How should I set up my page?
{: #faq-page-setup}
{: faq}

* Use "FAQs for xxx" as your title, where xxx is the short name with no trademarks.
* Name the file `faqs.md` for URL readability. 
* If you require multiple FAQ files, group under a "FAQs" topic group and use a unique name for each file. 
* Add each question as an H2.
* Use paragraph text following the associated H2 question for each answer. 
* Set the `faq` content type attribute definition at the top of your file.
* Set the `faq` content type attribute on a new line following each H2 question.
* Do not repeat task steps. Summarize and link off to task topic.

## What should I include in my FAQs?
{: #faq-content-include}
{: faq}

Each answer should be approximately one to five sentences. You want to make sure you are not re-documenting information that is already available in documentation because then you'd have to maintain it in two places. If a more detailed explanation for the question exists out in a documentation page, give a concise answer here, and then link out to the doc.

For detailed guidance on what to include on this page, see [FAQs guidance](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/developing/writing/faq.html?format=markdown#faqs). You can also check out some examples here: [IBM Cloud IAM FAQs](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/developing/Access-Management/iamfaq.html?format=markdown#faqs) and [Account FAQs](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/account/account_faq.html?format=markdown#accountfaqs).
-->