DLA Piper has advised on the acquisition by Global Payments Inc of Ezi Holdings Pty Limited (Ezidebit) for AU$305 million. Founded in 1998 and based in Brisbane, Ezidebit is the largest Australian non-bank merchant acquirer and technology-enabled payment solutions company, and has grown to become a market leader in recurring payment solutions across Australia and New Zealand. Ezidebit focuses on enabling Australian and New Zealand merchants to efficiently process payments through a variety of direct debit, BPAY and eCommerce payment solutions. Ezidebit focuses on specific vertical market segments, such as recurring payments, including childcare and health and fitness, and services more than 16,000 businesses that, in turn, collect payments from over 1.25 million consumers transacting over AU$3.3 billion annually.

Global Payments is one of the largest worldwide providers of payment solutions. Its acquisition of integrated payments company, Ezidebit, expands its presence in Asia Pacific and is its first foray into Australia.

DLA Piper represented the founders and shareholders of Ezidebit, advising on all aspects of the transaction and more broadly on the competitive "dual track" exit strategy and process, including initial public offering (IPO) and private equity options.

Corporate Partners Bryan Pointon and David Ryan led the DLA Piper team which also included partners Lyndon Masters and Peter Jones, senior associates Kelly Morrison and James McCarthy and solicitors Alex Samson, Elliott Cheung and Matthew Blunt.

Bryan Pointon, DLA Piper partner and Asia Pacific and Australian Head of Corporate said: "The financial technology and payments space has been active for M&A and equity capital markets transactions. We are delighted to have worked with the founders and the Ezidebit management team on this very successful transaction."