Global Payments

Global Payments Inc. stands as a Fortune 500 financial technology powerhouse headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with a mission to be the leading worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GPN and named to the Fortune 500 in June 2021, Global Payments has established itself as a dominant force in the payments industry, processing over 50 billion transactions annually for more than 3.5 million businesses and financial institutions across over 100 countries with approximately $10.1 billion in annual revenue (2024) and a market capitalization of $20.5 billion.

The company's history traces back to 1967 with the founding of National Data Corporation (NDC) by George W. Thorpe in Atlanta, Georgia. NDC pioneered electronic payment processing and provided merchant acquiring services starting in 1968. The entity that would become Global Payments Inc. was formally established in 1996, and in December 1999, NDC announced plans to spin off its eCommerce segment. Global Payments was formally incorporated in Georgia in September 2000, and the spin-off occurred on February 1, 2001, via a tax-free distribution of shares to NDC shareholders. Since its independence, Global Payments has operated as a publicly traded company on the NYSE, evolving from a regional payment processor into a global technology leader through strategic growth and transformative acquisitions.

The company's expansion strategy has been marked by bold, industry-defining acquisitions totaling over $30 billion. Key milestones include the 2016 acquisition of Heartland Payment Systems for $4.3 billion, which significantly enhanced its merchant solutions business, and the landmark $21.5 billion merger with Total System Services (TSYS) completed on September 18, 2019. This TSYS merger was part of a wave of consolidation in the payments industry and created a preeminent technology-enabled payments company with extensive global reach. The combined entity provides innovative payments and software solutions to approximately 3.5 million predominantly small to mid-sized merchant locations, services over 1,300 financial institutions across more than 100 countries, and enables digital interactions with over 600 million cardholders globally.

In April 2025, Global Payments announced a transformative three-way transaction: the acquisition of Worldpay from GTCR and FIS for a net purchase price of $22.7 billion, while simultaneously divesting its Issuer Solutions business to FIS for $13.5 billion. This strategic realignment will create an unparalleled merchant-focused payments company serving more than 6 million customers and enabling approximately 94 billion transactions and $3.7 trillion in volume across more than 175 countries when the deal closes in the first half of 2026. The transaction demonstrates Global Payments' commitment to focusing on its core merchant acquiring and payment processing strengths while establishing commercial partnerships with FIS to deliver comprehensive solutions including core banking, treasury management, embedded commerce, and merchant solutions globally.

Global Payments' corporate culture emphasizes integrity, kindness, compassion, inclusion, empathy, and a deep commitment to service. The company's mission to celebrate and respect each other's unique backgrounds creates an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and can do their best work. With 27,000 employees worldwide and revenue per employee of $372,823, Global Payments invests heavily in employee training, development, and well-being. The company has been recognized with numerous awards including VETS Indexes Employer Awards for supporting veterans (2024, 2025), Human Rights Campaign's Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek (2024), and certification as one of the Best Places to Work in the Philippines for 2024. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care, employee assistance programs, parental and family-friendly policies, and Quarterly Team Appreciation Days celebrated at offices worldwide. Under the leadership of CEO Cameron Bready since 2023, Global Payments continues to innovate in payment technology while maintaining its reputation as a trusted partner for businesses seeking seamless, secure, and scalable payment solutions in an increasingly digital commerce landscape.