M&A in the Payments Sector: Key Legal, Regulatory and Contractual Considerations

Mergers and acquisitions involving companies in the payments industry have continued at a fast pace in 2020, with an increasing focus on payments solutions beyond traditional credit cards and deposit accounts. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as an accelerator for digital payments solutions, with a push toward contactless payments and digital solutions for those sheltering at home. The pandemic has also exposed fintech companies with less durable revenue models and may increase the sale of fintech businesses to incumbent bank acquirers. This Legal Update discusses the accelerating trend of payments companies M&A, along with the unique regulatory, technology and contractual issues that may arise in the M&A context.