Creating a European champion able to compete with bigger American rivals could be welcomed by European politicians.
“The local tie up by Ingenico and Worldline makes sense so instead of competing with each other in their domestic space the combined company can focus on bigger fish to fry,” said MB Capital managing director Marcus Bullus.
Atos welcomed the deal and said it could continue to sell down its stake in Worldline.
BPI, a state-backed French bank with a 5% stake in Ingenico, will look to bulk up its holding in the combined entity so that it remains around that level, a source close to the deal said.