Global Payments is adopting a multi-pronged strategic approach with its $22.7 billion acquisition of Worldpay, positioning itself more aggressively within the competitive fintech landscape.
The company is doubling down on merchant services by offloading its slower-growing issuer solutions unit to FIS for $13.5 billion, effectively reallocating resources to high-growth, high-margin segments of the payments ecosystem. This divestiture not only streamlines operations but also frees up capital to support the acquisition and fund future expansion.
By acquiring Worldpay, Global Payments is aiming to scale rapidly and enhance its value proposition to enterprise clients and ecommerce platforms. Worldpay brings significant strength in online and large-scale transactions, which complements Global Payments’ core competencies in serving small and mid-sized businesses.
The strategic integration of capabilities will allow the combined company to process approximately 94 billion transactions annually, serving over six million customers across more than 175 countries, and handle $3.7 trillion in transaction volume.
Benefits to customers
The combination of Global Payments and Worldpay delivers significant benefits to customers by creating a powerful, focused commerce solutions provider with the scale and expertise to support businesses across the payments spectrum. Customers will gain access to innovative, end-to-end payment and software solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes, from small merchants to large enterprises.
The integration of Worldpay’s advanced ecommerce capabilities enhances service to digital-native clients, while also expanding Global Payments’ offerings for software and platform partners through added embedded and integrated solutions. This move strengthens the company’s position in high-growth areas and diversifies its business mix.
Additionally, customers will benefit from expanded global distribution and a larger installed customer base, gaining access to a broader suite of tools including advanced point-of-sale systems and commerce enablement features. The strategic partnership with FIS further enhances the value proposition by integrating a full range of financial and merchant services, offering a seamless and comprehensive experience for partners worldwide.
To finance the deal, Global Payments will rely on a combination of proceeds from the issuer unit sale, existing cash reserves, and new debt issuance, including $7.7 billion in fresh debt. This balanced funding strategy helps maintain financial flexibility while preserving shareholder value. Additionally, GTCR, which currently holds a stake in Worldpay, will receive Global Payments shares valued at $97 each, translating to a 15 percent equity stake in the merged entity — an alignment of long-term interests.
The timing of this transaction reflects strategic foresight, as regulators, particularly in the UK, appear less confrontational toward such consolidations, reducing antitrust risks. The merger is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory approval.
The deal is projected to deliver $12.5 billion in adjusted net revenue and $6.5 billion in adjusted core earnings — solidifying Global Payments’ position as a global leader in payment processing amid fierce competition from Fiserv, PayPal, Adyen, Stripe, and Block, Reuters news report said.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
