Brussels, September 3, 2014 - Clear2Pay, the international technology provider of next generation payment solutions for financial institutions announces today that FISTM (NYSE:FIS), the world’s largest provider of banking and payments technology solutions and a global leader in consulting and outsourcing solutions, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Clear2Pay. Upon closing the addition of Clear2Pay will bolster FIS’ global payments capabilities across all geographies and enhance its ability to deliver differentiated enterprise payments and testing solutions.

Started in 2001 by co-founders, Michel Akkermans, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman and Jürgen Ingels, CFO, the company became a leader in the payments domain through the invention and subsequent development of the then revolutionary payment hub concept. Today the company employs over 1,200 staff in 15 countries and the Open Payment Framework (OPF) technology has been implemented by over a hundred global financial institutions. Clear2pay counts 40 of the 50 largest global financial institutions as its client.

Commenting on the transaction, Michel Akkermans said, “The payments landscape continues to evolve to meet the next generation of customer demands. We believe the combination of these two companies will be uniquely qualified to deliver true payment systems convergence.” Jürgen Ingels, also affirmed this position by stating: “After launching Clear2Pay and helping guide its impressive growth for the last 13 years, I am pleased to see such a positive development for our people, our clients and the industry.”

“The payments domain is one of the fastest-growing segments within the financial services industry and is a strategic growth and investment area for FIS,” noted Gary Norcross, president and chief operating officer, FIS. “Many institutions are struggling to adapt to the evolving global payments landscape inclusive of high-value and cross-currency corporate payments and new channels. This strategic acquisition demonstrates our commitment to delivering the technologies and assets that will enable our clients, especially large and global institutions, to realize a truly modern payments environment that encompasses all customer channels, simplifies payment operations, reduces costs and provides a better customer experience.”

The majority Clear2Pay shareholders are management and lead private investor Aquiline Capital Partners. Founding and early stage investors include Big Bang Ventures, Quest for Growth, Idinvest Partners, Iris Capital and PMV. All shareholders will be treated equally and will exit upon closing.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and contractual closing conditions. The parties expect the transaction to close during the fourth quarter. Upon closing, FIS will pay approximately €375 million to acquire 100% ownership interest in Clear2Pay. No comment or interviews will be given by Clear2Pay until closing.

About Clear2Pay

Clear2Pay is a payments modernisation company that actively supports many global financial institutions to meet their payments unification goals through its pure SOA Open Payment Framework (OPF). Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the company facilitates banks and financial organisations in their provision of payments services, whether they be Card, ACH, Branch, Bulk, High Care or International payment transactions. Clear2Pay's innovative technology helps to reduce transactions processing costs, and to deliver new, compelling payment services in a competitive way. Functions embrace payments origination, reporting, linkage with back-office processing systems, clearing, netting and settlement. In addition the company offers a range of value added payment technology solutions and services such as e-Banking, Open Test Solutions, ChargeBack, Strategic Consultancy and Payments Training through a dedicated Academy. Clients include global and major regional financial institutions such as ING, Banco Santander, Crédit Agricole, BNP Paribas, The Federal Reserve, RBS, Commerzbank, The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), Bank of East Asia, Rabobank, Bank of New York Mellon and Commonwealth Bank. Clear2Pay operates out of Belgium (HQ) and another 23 offices in 15 countries. The company currently employs over 1200 staff. The company was awarded the XCelent Customer Base 2010 award for its undisputed largest payment hub customer base, both live and under implementation and ranks 75th in the Global FinTech100 2013 list. For more information, please visit www.clear2pay.com.

About FIS

FIS is the world’s largest provider of banking and payments technology solutions and a global leader in consulting and outsourcing solutions. With a long history deeply rooted in the financial services sector, FIS serves more than 14,000 institutions in over 110 countries. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., FIS employs more than 39,000 people worldwide and holds leadership positions in payment processing and banking solutions, providing software, services and outsourcing of the technology that drives financial institutions. First in financial technology, FIS tops the annual FinTech 100 list, is 426 on the Fortune 500 and is a member of Standard & Poor’s 500® Index. For more information about FIS, visit www.fisglobal.com.

For more information:

Clear2Pay NV/SA Conny Dorrestijn – Head of Corporate Marketing & Analyst Relations Email: conny.dorrestijn@clear2pay.com M: +31 651 067201