Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) closed the purchase of Global Payments’ Issuer Solutions business, formerly TSYS, on January 9 2026 and announced the completion on January 12. The transaction was valued at an enterprise price of $13.5 billion, with a net purchase price of $12 billion after tax‑asset adjustments, adding a leading credit‑card issuing platform to FIS’s portfolio.
The deal also saw FIS sell its remaining 45 % stake in Worldpay to Global Payments for $24.25 billion in cash and stock, completing the divestiture that began with the sale of a 55 % stake in February 2024. The proceeds are earmarked to fund the Issuer Solutions acquisition and to maintain FIS’s investment‑grade leverage profile.
Financially, the combined transaction is expected to lift free‑cash‑flow by $500 million in 2026 and $700 million after integration, with $150 million in synergies realized over the next two years. Pro‑forma gross leverage is projected at roughly 3.4×, with a target of 2.8× within 18 months, underscoring the company’s focus on deleveraging while expanding higher‑margin operations.
Strategically, the acquisition marks a decisive shift from a payments conglomerate to a pure‑play banking‑technology leader. By adding a high‑margin issuer platform and shedding a low‑margin merchant‑acquiring business, FIS expands its footprint in the $28 billion global issuer market and positions itself to capitalize on AI‑driven treasury and real‑time payment solutions.
CEO Stephanie Ferris highlighted the strategic fit, noting that the transaction “fully monetizes our Worldpay stake at an attractive valuation and expands our high‑margin banking and capital‑markets capabilities.” She added that the deal “positions FIS to capture growing demand for integrated digital banking and AI‑powered solutions across the financial‑services ecosystem.”
The content on BeyondSPX is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.