Mastercard eyes offloading 51% of Vocalink, potentially valuing the UK payments firm at £400 million amid regulatory scrutiny.
Mastercard is in early-stage discussions to sell a majority stake in Vocalink, the UK payments infrastructure provider, back to British banks. The potential deal could value Vocalink at approximately £400 million, down from the £700 million Mastercard paid in 2016.
Vocalink was acquired by Mastercard from a consortium of 18 UK banks, with additional payments tied to performance. The sale aligns with broader efforts by UK regulators to enhance competition in the retail payments sector, as policymakers scrutinize ownership structures.
Industry-backed entity DeliveryCo is reportedly among potential buyers, though no formal bids have been submitted. A transaction is unlikely to conclude before 2025.