“Through this transformative combination, we expect to redefine the manner in which people and institutions move money and information,” said Jeffery Yabuki, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fiserv. “We admire First Data for its excellence in merchant acquiring and global issuing services, and the tremendous progress they have made under Frank’s leadership. We expect this combination to catalyze and support an enhanced value proposition for our collective clients and their customers.”
FISERV
Business Wire
January 16, 2019 07:06 AM Eastern Standard Time
Fiserv to Combine with First Data Corporation to Create Global Leader in Payments and FinTech
-Combined Company to Have Increased Scale, Expanded Footprint and More Extensive Range of High-Value Client Solutions
-Expected to Generate Approximately $900 Million of Run-Rate Cost Savings and at Least $500 Million of Revenue Synergies, Leading to Enhanced Revenue Growth from Expanded Capabilities
-Anticipate Annual Free Cash Flow of More Than $4 Billion, Including Synergies, in Year Three
-Projected to be Accretive to Adjusted EPS by More Than 20 Percent in Year One
-Expected to Retain Fiserv’s Investment Grade Ratings of Baa2/BBB
-Fiserv CEO to Become CEO and Chairman of Combined Entity, First Data CEO to Become President and COO and to Join Board of Directors
-Companies to Host Investor Conference Call Today at 8:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. CT
BROOKFIELD, Wis. & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fiserv (NASDAQ: FISV) and First Data Corporation (NYSE: FDC) today announced that their boards of directors have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which Fiserv will acquire First Data in an all-stock transaction. The transaction unites two premier companies to create one of the world’s leading payments and financial technology providers, and an enhanced value proposition for its clients.
Under the terms of the agreement, First Data shareholders will receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.303 Fiserv shares for each share of First Data common stock they own, for an equity value of $22 billion. This represents $22.74 based on closing prices as of January 15, and a premium of 29% to the five-day volume weighted average price as of that date. Following the close of the transaction, Fiserv shareholders will own 57.5% of the combined company, and First Data shareholders will own 42.5%, on a fully diluted basis. The all-stock transaction is intended to be tax-free to First Data shareholders.
This highly complementary combination will offer leading technology capabilities that enable a range of payments and financial services, including account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; e-commerce; integrated payments; and the Clover™ cloud-based point-of-sale solution. The combined company will offer comprehensive distribution channels and have deep expertise in partnering with financial institutions, merchants and billers of all sizes, as well as software developers.
“Through this transformative combination, we expect to redefine the manner in which people and institutions move money and information,” said Jeffery Yabuki, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fiserv. “We admire First Data for its excellence in merchant acquiring and global issuing services, and the tremendous progress they have made under Frank’s leadership. We expect this combination to catalyze and support an enhanced value proposition for our collective clients and their customers.”
“I have long admired what Fiserv has achieved over the years, and I look forward to working with the talented associates of both companies as we set a higher standard of innovation and service in the industry,” said First Data Chairman and CEO Frank Bisignano. “Our goal at First Data has always been to provide our clients with the most comprehensive suite of innovative, highly-differentiated solutions and services, and I am excited by the significant value that the combination with Fiserv creates for all stakeholders.”
“We expect the combined company to retain our current investment-grade ratings based on our strong financial profile and excellent free cash flow. Together, this should provide the basis for continued disciplined capital allocation, including debt repayment and share repurchase,” said Yabuki. “We look forward to welcoming First Data’s talented associates to Fiserv as we drive the global digitization of payments and financial technology services.”
