(Source: MARKETWIRE)

Ingenico announces the acquisition of easycash, a leading payment
services provider based in Germany
A major step in Ingenico's strategic development
Ingenico (ISIN : FR0000125346 - Euronext Paris : ING) announces today
the acquisition of 100% of easycash Beteiligungen GmbH, a leading
German payment services provider for an enterprise value of EUR 290
million.
This transaction is a major step in Ingenico's plan to position
itself in the transaction services value chain in order to offer
solutions around POS terminals and to leverage on the growth of
payment transactions in the coming years. Finally, easycash
acquisition will increase the contribution of recurring revenue on a
per transaction payment type.
Over the past three years, easycash has, under the ownership of
Warburg Pincus, built a strong position in payment services in
Germany, one of the most promising markets in Europe in terms of
growth potential. easycash covers the whole payment value chain in
POS terminal services, transaction processing and loyalty solutions.
In 2008, easycash generated revenue[1] of EUR 85.7 million. Revenue
coming from transaction processing represented 56% of total revenue,
while revenue generated by POS terminal services and loyalty
solutions represented 29% and 15% of total revenue, respectively.
Thanks to its positioning on the payment value chain, easycash
generated adjusted EBITDA1 margin in excess of 20% in 2008. In 2009,
thanks to internal and external growth in Germany, easycash is
expected to generate by year end pro forma revenue close to EUR 100
million[2] along with EBITDA margin expansion.
This transaction is expected to be accretive from 2010 in terms of
earning per share (before purchase price allocation). Synergies have
been identified and should mainly result from net increase in revenue,
both in terms of POS terminals and payment transactions solutions.
Within the context of financing the acquisition, Ingenico negotiated
a club deal bank facility of EUR 270 million, including a EUR 210
million term loan to fund the transaction and EUR 60 million for
working capital needs. This bank facility will replace the current
syndicated loan at closing.
The implementation of final agreement is subject to the approval of
German anti trust authority, Bundeskartellamt, and consultation of
Ingenico SA workers' council.
Philippe Lazare, Chief Executive Officer of Ingenico, commented: "
The acquisition of easycash is a major step in the strategic
development of our Group. This will enable us to accelerate our
presence in the payment solutions and to grow our activities in
Germany, one of the most promising payment markets in Europe.
Finally, this acquisition will enhance value for our shareholders
from the first year. "
Siegfried Heimgaertner, Chief Executive Officer of easycash added: "
In partnership with Warburg Pincus, we have been able to rapidly grow
easycash, taking it from strength to strength and we are extremely
grateful for their support. For easycash, joining Ingenico represents
a unique opportunity to strengthen our position in Germany, and to
leverage on Ingenico's reputation and international presence to meet
our customer needs globally and to expand abroad".
Jeremy Young, Managing Director of Warburg Pincus in Europe said:
"Our extensive experience in the financial technology sector and
history of growing companies over the long term has enabled easycash
to undertake a period of significant growth both organically and
through acquisitions and to consolidate its position as the market
leader in the German payment sector. The firm's experience with
easycash exemplifies our growth-oriented investment strategy and is
consistent with our approach across our portfolio in Germany. We are
very proud that under our ownership, easycash management has been
able to foster its position in the German payment solution market. We
would like to thank the easycash management team for their
partnership and we are confident of the company's continued success".
Conference call
A conference call to discuss details of the transaction will be held
on September 25, 2009 at 2.30p.m. (Paris time).