Canadian fintech company Nuvei Corporation (TSX:NVEI) and provider of integrated payment and commerce solutions Paya Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:PAYA) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Nuvei will acquire Paya in an all-cash transaction at USD 9.75 per share for total consideration of approximately $1.3 billion.

“The proposed acquisition of Paya is a powerful next step in the evolution of Nuvei, creating a preeminent payment technology provider with strong positions in global eCommerce, Integrated Payments and business-to-business (“B2B”),” said Philip Fayer, Nuvei’s Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “The proposed transaction will combine two people-first, technology-led, high-growth payment platforms. It will accelerate our integrated payment strategy, diversify our business into key high-growth non-cyclical verticals with large addressable end markets and enhance the execution of our growth plan.”

“We are pleased to have reached this transaction with Nuvei, which is a testament to the incredible talent at Paya, and will deliver immediate and significant cash value to Paya shareholders,” said Jeff Hack, Paya’s Chief Executive Officer. “We continue to see strong momentum in our high-growth and underpenetrated middle market partners in durable end-markets, and believe that Nuvei’s resources will enable us to continue our mission of solving complex business problems with easy-to-use payment solutions.”

The transaction has been unanimously approved by each party’s Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors of Paya intends to recommend the transaction to Paya’s stockholders. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Nuvei will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Paya for $9.75 per share in cash (approximately $1.3 billion of enterprise value (“EV”) for Paya). The closing of the tender offer will be subject to certain conditions, including the tender of shares representing at least a majority of the total number of Paya’s outstanding shares, the expiration or termination of the antitrust waiting period, and other customary conditions.

Following the successful completion of the tender offer, Nuvei will acquire all remaining shares not tendered in the tender offer through a second-step merger at the same price. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

The purchase price represents a 25% premium to the January 6, 2023 closing price and a 30% premium to the 90-day volume-weighted average share price (VWAP). The implied transaction multiple is approximately 13x EV/2023E Adjusted EBITDA based on consensus estimates for Paya (once the full benefit of expected synergies is taken into account). Paya’s net income for the LTM period ended September 30, 2022 was $9.5 million.

Nuvei expects to finance the acquisition with a combination of cash on hand, an existing credit facility and a new committed $600 million first lien secured credit facility.

Nuvei’s net leverage ratio, defined as the ratio of consolidated net debt outstanding (outstanding credit facilities less cash), to consolidated adjusted EBITDA, calculated in accordance with the terms of Nuvei’s credit agreement, is expected to be less than 3x upon (and giving effect to) the closing of the transaction.

The proposed transaction is expected to deliver up to $21 million of estimated run-rate cost synergies within 24 months, as well as provide attractive revenue synergy upside potential by bringing Nuvei’s global capabilities as additional offerings to Paya’s partners and customers. The transaction is expected to be accretive to adjusted EPS in 2023.

An investment fund affiliated with GTCR LLC has entered into a tender and support agreement pursuant to which it has agreed, among other things, to tender its Paya shares pursuant to the tender offer, subject to certain conditions. This stockholder currently represents approximately 34% of the outstanding shares of Paya’s common stock.

The Merger Agreement also includes customary termination provisions for both Nuvei and Paya, and provides that, in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, including termination by Paya to accept and enter into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal, Paya will pay Nuvei a termination fee of approximately $38 million.