Transactions

Meritus Payments Acquired by Optimal Payments

Optimal Payments Plc (LSE AIM: OPAY, "Optimal Payments" or the "Group"), a leading global online payments and risk management provider, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the partnership interests of California based payment processing entity TK Global Partners LP ("Meritus") (doing business as 'Meritus Payment Solutions') for consideration of $210 million consisting of $150 million in cash and $60 million of Optimal Payments shares (issued in equal tranches over four years commencing on the first anniversary of the closing date), subject to customary closing adjustments (the "Meritus Acquisition"). 

Optimal Payments has also entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the trade and assets of Global Merchant Advisors, Inc. ("GMA"), a U.S.-based online payments company, for up to $15 million in cash, $10 million of which is payable on closing and the balance based on future performance of the business (the "GMA Acquisition"). Completion of the Meritus Acquisition and the GMA Acquisition (together, the "Acquisitions") are conditional on one another and subject to customary closing conditions. Closing of the Acquisitions is expected to occur early in the third quarter of 2014. A further announcement will be made in due course to advise on completion.

Joel Leonoff, President and Chief Executive Officer, Optimal Payments, commented:

"The U.S. market represents the single greatest expansion opportunity for Optimal Payments. After careful evaluation of a number of potential candidates, Meritus stood out as the perfect choice on all fronts.  The company's strong stakeholder relationships, multi-channel sales force, established presence with small and medium businesses in the U.S. and entrepreneurial spirit makes them an ideal acquisition for us. I am very excited about the combination of our businesses which immediately accelerates the Group's growth opportunities and accomplishes a stated key strategic goal for us in 2014."

Alan Kleinman, Principal and Co-founder, Meritus Payment Solutions, added:

"Combining forces with Optimal Payments marks a significant step in realizing our strategic goals. Optimal Payments offers our employees, merchants and business partners the experience, global infrastructure and product offering to achieve the scale required in today's payments market. Our two organizations share the same enthusiasm and philosophy for future growth as we prepare to combine operations and leverage each other's strengths."

*Transaction completed by WHA professional while at previous firm.