#United States #Chicago #GTCR #Global Payments #Worldpay

GTCR Completes $24.25 Billion Sale of Worldpay to Global Payments

On April 17, 2025, GTCR, a prominent private equity firm based in Chicago, announced a significant development in the financial technology landscape with the signing of a definitive agreement for the sale of Worldpay to Global Payments for an impressive $24.25 billion. This monumental transaction is framed within a larger three-way deal also involving FIS, a major player in financial services technology.

A Strategic Transition

GTCR's journey with Worldpay began in July 2023, when they acquired a 55% majority stake in the company from FIS, which retained the remaining 45%. This initial partnership was driven by a vision to rejuvenate Worldpay's growth trajectory, capitalizing on the latest technology and innovative product offerings. As part of this recent sale, Global Payments will attain Worldpay, while FIS will absorb Global Payments' Issuer Solutions business valued at $13.5 billion.

The financial specifics revealed that GTCR will receive 59% of the payment in cash and 41% in stock, thus maintaining a significant stake in what is expected to be a thriving joined entity. Following the transaction, GTCR will own 15% of Global Payments' outstanding shares, highlighting their continued investment in the payments sector.

Leadership and Growth

Under the management of CEO Charles Drucker, GTCR has strategically navigated Worldpay’s evolution to cement its place as a leader in merchant acquiring and payments processing on a global scale. Drucker's adept leadership has been instrumental in strengthening the company's global processing capabilities and launching new payment solutions amid a rapidly changing technological landscape. Their focus on innovative technology and operational enhancements has enabled Worldpay to capture new clients and elevate organic growth, ultimately reinforcing its stature in the global payments ecosystem.

Collin Roche, Co-CEO of GTCR, commented on the transaction, stating that the collaboration with Drucker exemplifies the essence of their Leaders Strategy™ partnership—merging visionary management with a transformative value proposition while adeptly dealing with the intricacies of corporate divestments. This partnership has fostered Worldpay's return to being an innovative, customer-centered, growth-oriented company over the past two years.

As the partnership transitions to Worldpay under Global Payments, Drucker expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to this momentous milestone. He emphasized GTCR's unparalleled support and expertise, which facilitated a major transformation within Worldpay, enabling them to consistently deliver superior e-commerce solutions and enhance their technological foundation.

Looking Ahead

The conclusion of this sale, anticipated in the first half of 2026, is contingent upon regulatory approvals and standard closing conditions. The successful outcome hinges on the intertwined nature of both transactions—Evolving to merge Global Payments and Worldpay signifies a critical juncture that could lead to enhanced financial solutions for clients while creating substantial value for stakeholders involved.

KJ McConnell from GTCR echoed excitement for the transaction, underscoring GTCR's long-standing history of successful investments in the payments sector. The Leaders Strategy approach, emphasizing deep industry knowledge combined with exceptional leadership, predicts a bright future for both Global Payments and Worldpay as they seek to enhance their offerings and market position.

With Wells Fargo guiding financial advisement and Kirkland and Ellis LLP along with Paul Hastings LLP providing legal directives, this sale marks a pivotal evolution in the financial services landscape, driven by strategic partnerships and robust leadership in the fast-evolving payments sector.