MoneyGram agrees to merge with Ant Financial – the transaction is valued at aproximately $880 million

MoneyGram and Ant Financial Services Group, one of the world’s leading digital financial services providers and parent company of Alipay, a global mobile payment platform, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which MoneyGram will merge with Ant Financial, with stockholders of MoneyGram being offered $13.25 per share in cash.

The transaction will connect MoneyGram’s money transfer network of 2.4 billion bank and mobile accounts and 350,000 physical locations with Ant Financial’s users, who enjoy a broad suite of technology-based financial services, including payments, credit and insurance products. The combination will provide consumers in over 200 countries and territories with convenient and accessible financial services, which furthers Ant Financial’s mission to promote equal access to financial services globally.

„The services of MoneyGram and Ant Financial are highly complementary. MoneyGram, which will remain headquartered in Dallas and continue to operate under its existing brand, will be able to leverage Ant Financial’s global presence and existing network to serve more than 630 million users – including 450 million with Alipay and 180 million with India’s leading mobile payment provider Paytm – to increase MoneyGram’s transaction volume across the broad Asia-Pacific region. The transaction will also help expand Ant Financial’s business in new global markets following its recent partnerships with Paytm in India and Ascend Money in Thailand.”, according to the press release.

„The acquisition of MoneyGram is a significant milestone in our mission to bring inclusive financial services to users around the world,” said Eric Jing, Chief Executive Officer of Ant Financial. „We believe financial services should be simple, low-cost and accessible to the many, not the few. The combination of Ant Financial and MoneyGram will provide greater access, security and simplicity for people around the world to remit funds, especially in major economies such as the United States, China, India, Mexico and the Philippines.”

Mr. Jing continued: „One of MoneyGram’s greatest strengths is its high-quality team of employees. We are committed to continuing to invest in MoneyGram’s workforce and growing jobs in the United States, where MoneyGram has made a mark with outstanding customer service, innovative products and industry-leading technology and compliance programs.”

„This transaction will significantly benefit consumers throughout the world who depend on innovative and reliable financial connections to friends and family,” said Alex Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of MoneyGram. „MoneyGram can now accelerate and expand our suite of global hybrid solutions and integrate an even larger digital and physical network, making money transfers easier for customers and providing a wider selection of services for the agents who serve them around the world. Ant Financial is an ideal partner for MoneyGram; together, we will be able to expand our business and, in doing so, offer more people around the world access to a reliable financial connection to loved ones.”

Transaction Highlights

The transaction is valued at approximately $880 million for all of MoneyGram’s common and preferred shares on a fully diluted basis and Ant Financial will assume or refinance MoneyGram’s outstanding debt. The per share consideration represents a premium of approximately 20 percent to MoneyGram’s volume weighted average share price over the prior three month period. The transaction has been approved by the MoneyGram Board of Directors. In addition, Thomas H. Lee Partners and certain MoneyGram executives who collectively own approximately 46 percent of the outstanding voting shares of MoneyGram have entered into agreements with MoneyGram to vote in favor of the transaction. The transaction is subject to the approval of MoneyGram stockholders, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2017.