In a pivotal move, shareholders of a major French payment technology provider approved a €500 million capital strengthening plan during an extraordinary general meeting held Thursday. This strategic decision marks a turning point in the company’s efforts to reinforce its position amid intensifying competition in the global digital payments landscape.
Phased Capital Injection with Strong Domestic Backing
The capital raise will unfold in two stages. The first involves a private placement of €110 million to three prominent French institutional investors: Bpifrance, backed by the French state, Crédit Agricole, and BNP Paribas. This anchor investment underscores strong domestic confidence in the company’s long-term vision and strengthens its national economic footprint.
The second phase will launch a rights offering of approximately €390 million, available to all existing shareholders. This inclusive approach aims to maintain broad ownership participation while securing sustainable funding for future growth.
Funding Allocated to Innovation and Market Expansion
- Boost R&D in payment security and next-generation transaction infrastructure
- Expand cross-border payment capabilities across European markets
- Enhance merchant and consumer-facing digital platforms
- Preserve strategic flexibility for targeted acquisitions
Management expects the full capital process to conclude by the end of Q1 2026. Beyond immediate financial resilience, this move is seen as a transformative step to reposition the company for leadership in the rapidly evolving digital payments era.