Netspend founders combine assets to expand global footprint and increase access to digital innovations in payment products
International payments company Rêv Worldwide (Rêv), in partnership with funds advised by Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. (Searchlight), completed its purchase of the Netspend consumer business from Global Payments in an all-cash transaction valued at $1 billion.
“This acquisition represents both a reunion and reimagining of the vision of financial empowerment we pioneered at Netspend more than 20 years ago”
The carve-out transaction sees Netspend come back under the control of its founders Roy and Bertrand Sosa, prepaid industry innovators who also founded Rêv. Netspend will remain a partner to Global Payments, supporting the company’s retained pay card business.
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“This acquisition represents both a reunion and reimagining of the vision of financial empowerment we pioneered at Netspend more than 20 years ago,” said Roy Sosa, Rêv Chairman and CEO, who assumes the same role with Netspend. “Netspend has a well-deserved reputation for creating and delivering innovative products tailored to fulfill the important needs of all its customers, from the underserved to the affluent. This transaction sets us up for strong future success and profitable growth.”
Since its founding in 1999, Netspend has become a clear industry leader in prepaid debit cards, processed hundreds of billions of dollars of cardholder purchases, and established the world’s largest retail partner network comprising 100,000 locations where consumers can load or purchase prepaid and debit card products. Those locations span large grocers, financial service centers, convenience stores and pharmacies, among others. Netspend is also the product and payments processing partner behind numerous well-known brands and offers its consumer products via mobile and web channels.
Together, Netspend and Rêv create an international payments powerhouse with a broad array of products and services and strategic partners which include ADIB, Banco Itaú, Correos (Spanish Post), and Etihad Airways. The combined companies are uniquely positioned to expand their current programs across the world, and to drive growth across market segments.
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“From day one of Netspend’s founding we have been focused on helping customers gain access to payment products that simplify their lives and deliver real value,” said Rêv President, Bertrand Sosa. “This acquisition allows us to continue building on our commitment to deliver financial empowerment to more people in more places by leveraging Netspend’s industry scale and Rêv’s technology platform and digital product innovations.”
Commenting on the deal, Christopher Cruz, Partner at Searchlight, added: “The transaction allows Netspend to combine its market-leading position with Rêv’s geographic reach to offer an enhanced customer value proposition, introduce innovative products, and grow partnerships on a global scale. The combined company can uniquely serve the entire market with its differentiated distribution capabilities, including direct-to-consumer, partner-enabled, and digital partnership models.”
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