Global Payments to Acquire Heartland Payment Systems for $4.3 Billion

12/22/2015
Global Payments Inc., a worldwide provider of payment technology services, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Heartland Payment Systems, Inc., one of the nation’s largest payment companies.
 
The transaction significantly expands Global Payments’ U.S. direct small and medium-sized enterprise distribution, merchant base and vertical reach. Heartland’s strengths in direct sales and technology-led distribution are highly complementary to Global Payments’ expertise in 60 vertical markets with 2,000 technology partners. The combination will leverage Global Payments’ scalable, worldwide infrastructure, and drive substantial technological and operational synergies.
 
Global Payments expects to accelerate revenue growth by combining Heartland’s deep expertise in technology solutions with its OpenEdge partner integration, network and marketing capabilities to create a distinctive set of solutions and distribution. In addition, Global Payments plans to leverage Heartland’s product and sales capabilities globally through direct distribution in the 29 countries in which Global Payments currently does business. Opportunities to cross-sell Heartland’s point of sale, payroll, loyalty and gift solutions into Global Payments’ core U.S. and international markets will be augmented by deeper penetration into key Heartland vertical markets including restaurant and education.
 
The combined company will provide market-leading payments solutions to nearly 2.5 million merchants globally. On a combined basis, the businesses expect to generate in excess of $3.0 billion of adjusted net revenue and $1.0 billion of EBITDA annually. As a result of the transaction, Global Payments anticipates raising its cycle guidance to high-single digit organic adjusted net revenue growth, up to 75 basis points of cash margin expansion annually and mid-teens cash earnings per share growth.
 
“This partnership with Heartland marks a major milestone for our company, significantly enhancing our direct presence in our largest market and transforming Global Payments into the leading provider of integrated payments technology solutions in the world,” said Jeffrey S. Sloan, Chief Executive Officer of Global Payments. “The combination of strong businesses and cultures in high growth markets will generate exceptional opportunities for our employees, customers, partners and shareholders worldwide.”
 
“The combination of Global Payments and Heartland will be transformative for the worldwide payments industry,” said Robert O. Carr, Chairman and CEO of Heartland. “Under Jeff’s leadership, I believe the combination of our companies will become the most valuable payments company on the planet. Heartland is excited to team with a truly international company. In the U.S., Heartland will continue to operate under its brand and under its business model of fair dealing--with the Merchant Bill of Rights and the Sales Professional Bill of Rights guiding the way to future growth and innovation.”
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