January 16, 2024
Translink Corporate Finance in the US, Dinan & Company LLC, acted as the advisor to ieDigital, a leader in digital banking software in the UK, in its acquisition of US-based digital banking technology provider, Connect FSS.
ieDigital is a major player in the UK fintech market, providing digital software solutions for over 50 financial services businesses. ieDigital is the chosen partner to four of the UK’s five largest banks and has a proven track record of delivery of digital platforms across a broad range of financial products. Connect FSS is a preeminent digital banking provider, currently serving credit unions in the United States.
The acquisition follows a detailed search by ieDigital over the past year for a business partner that can help the company accelerate its growth plans and cement its position as a leading UK fintech player with international market reach.
The acquisition will bring together the expertise of both companies, signifying a shared vision to deliver new and improved digital software solutions and exceptional customer service to financial services firms and credit unions.
For the marketplace, the acquisition delivers clear benefits that include:
- Scale – the acquisition brings more scale and resources that will deliver business value to customers.
- Enhanced digital solutions – both companies already operate with complementary technology, and clients will now be able to get the benefit of both organisation’s software.
- Accelerated innovation – teams from both companies will be able to work closely together delivering faster innovation and software development, with clients directly benefitting from new or improved digital solutions.
- International reach – with an increased global footprint, both businesses will be better positioned to serve clients across the world.
Jerry Young, CEO of ieDigital and Grant Parry, President & CEO of Connect FSS, will work in synergy to lead the two businesses and continue to deliver unrivalled service and solutions to both customers and partners.
The two companies will sit as part of a new ieDigital Group (the Group), where Young will become Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Parry will become Executive Vice President (EVP) of Strategy.
At this time, both companies will retain their separate brand names in their respective markets, with separate websites. Connect FSS will also remain a Credit Union Service Organisation (CUSO).
Jerry Young, CEO of ieDigital, commented: “We’re very excited about the growth opportunity this acquisition will bring. Joining forces with Connect FSS will enable us to support a broader range of customers in different geographies that we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to reach and strengthen our technology with insight from our new colleagues in the US. We look forward to seeing the benefits that will come with today’s deal.”
Grant Parry, President & CEO of Connect FSS, added: “Partnering with ieDigital is a natural next step in our evolution as a business. There is a clear synergy between our two cultures, and in terms of the technology and skillsets that we share. We’re enthusiastic about what we will be able to deliver with ieDigital’s insight and experience in fintech. Our joint ambition is to provide excellent customer service and tailored solutions to clients, and we are confident we can further achieve this with today’s news.”
Contact our Team Members advising in this transaction:
Translink Corporate Finance is an independent partnership of firms dedicated to Corporate Finance and M&A advisory services through over 36 offices in the key markets in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Translink has been successful in advising clients on thousands of transactions since its founding in 1972 and Translink offices have acted as advisers in over 100 M&A projects during the last twelve months.
Dinan & Company, LLC is the partner firm of Translink Corporate Finance in the United States. It is a leading national M&A and merchant banking services company with over 35 years of advisory experience dedicated to middle-market transactions.
Translink Corporate Finance in the UK has 7 offices in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, London, Nottingham and Sheffield. The highly experienced team comprises of 30 M&A professionals, including 10 partners has a successful track-record of completing domestic and international M&A transactions across a variety of sectors.