Who Owns Worldpay

Worldpay is one of the most recognised names in payment processing, providing services to millions of businesses worldwide. It allows companies to accept payments through debit cards, credit cards, and digital wallets both online and in-store. Over the years, Worldpay has gone through several ownership changes as it has grown and merged with other financial technology giants. Today, Worldpay operates as an independent company, jointly owned by GTCR, a US private equity firm, and Fidelity National Information Services, known as FIS.

The Origins of Worldpay

Worldpay was founded in the UK in the 1980s and became one of the first companies to provide internet-based payment solutions. It started as a small part of National Westminster Bank (NatWest) and later became one of the key pioneers in online card payment technology. By the late 1990s, as ecommerce began to grow rapidly, Worldpay positioned itself as one of the first gateways that could help businesses accept payments securely online.

The company quickly became an industry leader, offering both payment processing and merchant services to businesses across the UK and Europe. Its early innovations made it a cornerstone of digital commerce and one of the most trusted names in financial technology.

Ownership by Royal Bank of Scotland

In 2002, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Group acquired Worldpay, integrating it into its financial services operations. Under RBS ownership, Worldpay became part of a broader payment division known as RBS WorldPay. The move helped RBS expand its reach into digital payments and card processing, offering businesses a complete range of financial services under one umbrella.

During the years under RBS, Worldpay grew in scale and capability. It expanded internationally and developed stronger relationships with card networks such as Visa and Mastercard. However, after the 2008 global financial crisis, RBS faced significant restructuring due to government intervention and was required to sell some of its assets, including Worldpay.

Advent International and Bain Capital Take Over

In 2010, Worldpay was sold by RBS to two major private equity firms, Advent International and Bain Capital, in a deal worth around £2 billion. This marked the beginning of Worldpay’s transformation into a standalone global payment powerhouse.

Under Advent and Bain, Worldpay invested heavily in technology, infrastructure, and global expansion. The focus was on building a truly international payment platform that could handle transactions in multiple currencies, across multiple countries, and through both physical and digital channels.

During this period, Worldpay expanded into the United States, Asia, and other markets, increasing its customer base to include major retailers, airlines, and online platforms.

Going Public on the London Stock Exchange

In 2015, Worldpay made its debut on the London Stock Exchange through one of the largest UK technology initial public offerings (IPOs) of the decade. The listing valued the company at more than £5 billion. Going public allowed Worldpay to raise significant capital to fuel its continued global growth and innovation.

As a public company, Worldpay continued to lead the industry by introducing new technologies such as advanced fraud detection systems, contactless payments, and seamless online checkout solutions.

Acquisition by Vantiv

In 2017, Worldpay was acquired by US-based payment processing company Vantiv for approximately £9 billion. The merger created one of the largest global payment technology companies, combining Vantiv’s strength in the United States with Worldpay’s presence in Europe and other regions.

After the acquisition, the company began trading under the name Worldpay, Inc., and its global headquarters moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. The goal of the merger was to create a unified, technology-driven payment company capable of serving merchants worldwide with cutting-edge services.

FIS Acquires Worldpay

In 2019, another major development took place when FIS (Fidelity National Information Services) acquired Worldpay for around $43 billion, one of the largest deals in the financial technology sector’s history. FIS, an American company specialising in financial software and services, integrated Worldpay’s payment technology into its broader suite of financial solutions.

This acquisition gave FIS access to Worldpay’s massive merchant base and payment infrastructure, strengthening its position as a global leader in fintech. For Worldpay, it meant access to more resources, enhanced technology, and a stronger presence in both established and emerging markets.

Worldpay Becomes an Independent Company Again

In 2023, FIS announced plans to spin off a portion of its Worldpay business as part of a restructuring strategy to focus on core operations. By 2024, the process was completed, and Worldpay began operating once again as an independent company.

Following the spin-off, private equity firm GTCR purchased a 55 percent majority stake in Worldpay, while FIS retained the remaining 45 percent. This ownership structure allowed Worldpay to regain operational independence while still benefiting from FIS’s financial and technological backing.

Today, Worldpay functions as a standalone company but continues to collaborate closely with FIS on technology and infrastructure. The move allows it to be more agile and innovative in responding to the rapidly changing payment landscape.

The Role of GTCR in Worldpay’s Ownership

GTCR is a US-based private equity firm with a long history of investing in technology and financial services companies. Founded in 1980 and based in Chicago, GTCR has a track record of supporting the growth and transformation of its portfolio companies.

By acquiring a majority stake in Worldpay, GTCR aims to help accelerate its technological innovation, expand its merchant services, and strengthen its global operations. The firm brings extensive experience in scaling large technology companies and is expected to support Worldpay’s ambitions to remain a leader in the payments industry.

How FIS Still Plays a Role

Even though FIS no longer owns a controlling share of Worldpay, it still plays an important role as a strategic partner. With its 45 percent ownership stake, FIS continues to provide technology and operational support to Worldpay.

This partnership ensures that both companies can benefit from shared resources, joint product development, and a continued focus on innovation. FIS remains one of the largest financial technology providers in the world, and its connection with Worldpay helps both businesses maintain a strong position in the global payments market.

What the Ownership Means for Businesses and Customers

For merchants and customers, the ownership structure of Worldpay means greater stability and continued investment in payment security and technology. The company remains committed to providing safe, efficient, and reliable payment solutions, and its ownership by GTCR and FIS ensures it has the financial backing to maintain this commitment.

Businesses using Worldpay can expect ongoing improvements to fraud protection, payment speed, and customer experience. The collaboration between GTCR and FIS supports innovation in areas such as digital wallets, subscription billing, and global ecommerce solutions.

For customers, Worldpay’s continued independence and strong ownership mean that the brand will likely remain a key player in the payments industry for years to come. Its focus on reliability, compliance, and security remains unchanged despite the changes in ownership.

Conclusion

Worldpay is currently owned by GTCR, which holds a 55 percent stake, and FIS, which retains the remaining 45 percent. The company’s journey from a UK bank innovation to one of the world’s largest payment processors has involved several ownership changes, mergers, and expansions.

Today, under its new structure, Worldpay operates as an independent company with a renewed focus on innovation, security, and growth. Its combination of private equity investment and financial technology partnership ensures it remains well-positioned to continue leading the global payments industry while maintaining the trust and reliability that have defined its brand for decades.