Project Scope
- Scope: DACH, France and Spain with additional partner and structural links in Luxembourg, Lithuania, Malta and Poland
- Transaction volume: approx. 90,000 monthly payment transactions
- Payment methods: credit card, SEPA Direct Debit, recurring payments and subscription models
- Banking structure: multiple banking relationships, account structures, PSPs, FinTechs, neobanks and full-service banking institutions
- Investment: strategic minority investment in a regulated European payment institution
- Focus: FinTech, payment infrastructure, corporate finance, due diligence, regulatory assessment, contractual structure, closing and operational integration
Initial Situation
The group operated a complex PSP setup with a high share of recurring payment transactions. The business model was heavily based on credit card payments, SEPA Direct Debits, subscription models and cross-border payment flows.
The existing payment infrastructure depended on various banks, PSPs and account structures. At the same time, the group aimed to strengthen strategic control over payment processing, banking connectivity, transaction flows and operational payment capabilities.
Against this background, an investment in a regulated European payment institution was identified as a strategic opportunity. The objective was not only to acquire a financial stake, but to expand the group’s payment infrastructure and integrate regulated payment services more closely into the existing PSP setup.
Complexity
The core challenge was the combination of corporate finance structuring, a regulated financial services environment and operational payment integration.
Particularly complex were the assessment and structuring of an investment in a regulated European payment institution, the review of regulatory, legal and commercial requirements, and the negotiation of individual contractual arrangements alongside the actual equity investment.
In addition, existing PSP, banking and payment structures had to be considered. This included multiple markets, banking relationships, payment channels, operational processing structures and the strategic integration into an existing high-volume payment infrastructure.
Implementation
The project was implemented as a strategic investment and infrastructure project. The focus was not only on acquiring an equity stake, but on integrating regulated payment infrastructure into the existing corporate and PSP structure.
Economic, regulatory and operational requirements were reviewed, decision-making materials were prepared and the investment structure was developed together with management, legal, notarial support and the investor side.
In parallel, the operational implications were analyzed: existing payment flows, banking connections, account structures, processing workflows and potential extensions of the payment platform. The objective was to treat the investment not as an isolated transaction, but as part of a broader FinTech and payment infrastructure strategy.
Role & Contribution
My focus was on end-to-end steering of the project from strategic assessment through to notarial closing.
This included the development and preparation of strategic decision-making materials, coordination of due diligence, structuring and commercial assessment, as well as alignment with management, the investor side, legal, notarial support and external specialist functions.
Another key focus was the negotiation and structuring of individual contractual arrangements, as well as the operational preparation of the integration into existing PSP and payment structures. The transaction process was coordinated end-to-end through notarial closing and completed on the basis of comprehensive power of attorney.
Result & Impact
The project created the foundation for a strategically expanded payment infrastructure within the group.
Key effects included the completed strategic investment in a regulated European payment institution, expanded operational capabilities in payment infrastructure and reduced dependency on individual banking and PSP structures.
In addition, the project created a stronger link between corporate finance, FinTech strategy and operational payment processing. The investment improved the foundation for future payment products, payment channels, banking connectivity and the strategic development of the existing PSP setup within a regulated European environment.