SKRILL GROUP acquired by CVC

Telepass has acquired a significant equity stake in Telepass. This strategic partnership is designed to accelerate the target’s existing growth trajectory, build scale across European markets, and establish a leading pan-European platform for customer-centric mobility services. The strategic rationale for the deal is rooted in the high-growth potential of the electronic payment sector and the resilience of the target's core electronic toll collection business, which provides stable, non-cyclical cash flows. The investment enables the target to focus on several value-creation initiatives, including the consolidation of the European market through both organic development and acquisitive growth, the strengthening of its "one-stop mobility payment" solution for B2B and B2C segments, and the scaling of mobility insurance coverage. By leveraging the acquirer’s global platform and operational expertise, the target is well-positioned to execute its inorganic growth strategy and further advance its technological capabilities. The transaction also places a strong emphasis on ESG initiatives, with the partners working alongside management to foster sustainable transport solutions that reduce urban congestion and carbon emissions.

The investment in Planet by Advent International and Eurazeo is a strategic move to accelerate the company's global leadership in payments. The transaction is expected to help Planet expand its services and capabilities, driving growth and innovation in the digital payments industry. With the support of its new investors, Planet is well-positioned to continue its expansion into new markets and geographies, further solidifying its position as a leading player in the global payments ecosystem. The investment is also expected to enable Planet to enhance its technology and services, providing merchants with a more comprehensive and integrated payment solution. The partnership between Advent and Eurazeo will bring significant expertise and resources to Planet, enabling the company to drive growth and value creation in the years to come. The deal is a testament to the growing importance of digital payments and the need for companies to have a robust and innovative payment strategy in place. With the backing of Advent and Eurazeo, Planet is poised to capitalize on the trends shaping the payments industry and to continue its trajectory of growth and expansion.

The transaction involves an all-share merger between Nexi and Nets, creating the undisputed European PayTech leader with a presence in over 25 countries. The strategic rationale is centered on creating a massive pan-European platform with unrivaled scale, a 4x larger addressable market, and significant recurring cash synergies estimated at EUR 170 million annually. This combination is expected to be highly value-accretive, with an estimated Cash EPS accretion of over 25% for Nexi shareholders by 2022. The deal leverages a best-of-breed technology platform with over EUR 300 million in annual innovation spend and >3,000 tech specialists. Market implications suggest a major acceleration of the European payments consolidation trend, establishing a uniquely resilient platform with diversified geographic exposure and leadership in both advanced Nordic and fast-growing Southern European markets. The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2021, following regulatory approvals, and will be executed as an all-share merger, with Nets' shareholders receiving 406.6 million new Nexi shares.

A UK-based private equity organization specializing in financial services has successfully finalized the acquisition of a majority stake in the share capital of the target from its founding retail parent company. This strategic transaction represents a definitive "semi-spin-off," allowing the payment platform to transition from a captive internal unit into an independent, high-growth fintech competitor. The strategic rationale for the move centers on the acquirer’s objective to accelerate the platform’s diversification and market penetration beyond its original retail network. By incorporating institutional capital and specialized sector expertise, the organization reinforces its ability to capture new clients among physical distributors and e-commerce merchants. The partnership is designed to leverage the target’s proven technical operational depth and stable transaction volume to fuel an ambitious expansion strategy. This integration facilitates the professionalization of the firm’s management structure while allowing the founding retail group to remain a significant minority shareholder and strategic partner. The move solidifies the group’s standing as a primary enabler of omnichannel payment transformation in the European digital landscape.

The Carlyle Group acquired a majority stake in Calastone from Accel and Octopus Ventures. The deal followed a competitive auction process involving other bidders like Nordic Capital. The strategic rationale was to transform a highly successful, VC-backed fintech into a global institutional-grade market utility. Carlyle aimed to leverage the company's "sticky" recurring revenue (85% from mutual fund routing) and its first-mover advantage in blockchain-based fund infrastructure to drive global scale.

Euronext completed the acquisition of 100% of VP Securities, further consolidating its position as a leading CSD operator in Europe. This transaction followed Euronext’s "Nordic" expansion strategy, initiated with the takeovers of Oslo Børs VPS (2019) and Nord Pool (2020). By integrating VP Securities, Euronext scaled its Post-Trade division to represent 23% of its 2019 pro-forma revenue, significantly diversifying its income away from volatile trading volumes. The deal created a combined CSD network managing €2.2 trillion in assets under custody and 31 million annual settlement instructions. The acquisition was supported by over 90% of shareholders, triggering a compulsory acquisition for the remaining shares.

Infront ASA agreed to acquire vwd Group from The Carlyle Group to create one of the largest financial technology and market data providers in Europe. The strategic rationale for the merger is the highly complementary nature of their product portfolios: Infront provides world-class "Front-Office" trading and real-time data solutions, while vwd contributes deep expertise in "Mid and Back-Office" functions, including portfolio management, regulatory compliance, and advisory tools. This integration allows the combined entity to offer a complete end-to-end platform for private wealth management and institutional investing. The deal strengthens Infront's footprint in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria (DACH region), while vwd customers gain access to advanced global trading capabilities.

The acquisition of Fintrax (now renamed Planet Payment) by Eurazeo represents a strategic move to expand the investment company's portfolio in the financial services sector. The deal rationale is driven by Fintrax's strong growth potential, its leading position in the tax refund services market, and its solid business model. Eurazeo's investment in Fintrax is expected to accelerate the company's expansion plans, particularly in Asia, and enhance its service offerings to retailers and tourists. The acquisition also aligns with Eurazeo's focus on investing in high-growth companies with strong market positions and solid financials. The deal is expected to create synergies between Fintrax and Eurazeo's existing portfolio companies, particularly in the travel and tourism sector. With its expertise in the luxury, travel, and leisure sectors, Eurazeo is well-positioned to support Fintrax's future growth and development. The acquisition is also expected to provide Fintrax with access to Eurazeo's international network, particularly in China and Brazil, which will enable the company to expand its services to new markets.

The deal involves the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Nets by a consortium consisting of Advent International, ATP, and Bain Capital Private Equity. The strategic rationale behind the deal is to provide Nets with a new owner that has the expertise, commitment, and financial resources to develop the business in a rapidly changing payments industry. The consortium's investment in Nets is expected to create substantial value for the company's stakeholders, while allowing it to realize its ambitious strategy and maintain its strong Nordic identity. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014. The consortium's long-term perspective and commitment to investing in and supporting Nets' growth and development are expected to have a positive impact on the company's future prospects. The deal also highlights the importance of clear governance and streamlined decision-making in the payments industry, where scale, efficiency, innovation, and technology capabilities are key success factors.

The acquisition of Fintrax Group (now Planet Payment) Holdings Ltd by Exponent Private Equity marks a significant milestone in the company's history. The deal is driven by Exponent's strategic rationale of investing in high-growth companies with strong market positions. Fintrax's expertise in multicurrency payments, VAT refunds, and credit card processing aligns with Exponent's focus on backing companies with unique strengths and competitive advantages. The acquisition is expected to propel Fintrax onto the next stage of its growth and development plan, with Exponent providing strategic support and resources to help the company expand its services and reach new markets. The deal also highlights the growing demand for payment services in the tourism sector, driven by the dramatic growth in BRICS tourism. With Exponent's backing, Fintrax is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and further establish itself as a leading provider of payment services to overseas visitors and international organisations. The acquisition is also expected to drive synergies between Fintrax and Exponent's other portfolio companies, creating opportunities for cross-selling and collaboration. Overall, the deal is a strategic move by Exponent to invest in a high-growth company with strong market potential, and is expected to drive long-term value creation for both Fintrax and Exponent.