Business
Net1 cancels the exercise of its option to acquire a further 35% of Bank Frick
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: UEPS, JSE: NT1) (“Net1” or the “Company”) today
About this update from Lesaka Technologies, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: UEPS, JSE: NT1) (“Net1” or the “Company”) today announced that it has cancelled the exercise of its option to acquire an additional 35% interest in Bank Frick & Co. AG (“Bank Frick”) from the Kuno Frick Familienstiftung (“KFS”), in order to maintain liquidity in the current uncertain and volatile macroeconomic environment, and to sharpen its short-term focus on opportunities in South Africa and Africa. Net1 agreed to pay KFS an option termination fee of CHF 17 million (USD 17.5 million at prevailing exchange rates), and intends to retain its remaining 35% interest. \n Bank Frick will continue to focus on its strategy of providing fintech and blockchain banking services to financial intermediaries, and will opportunistically leverage Net1 and its International Payments Group, to introduce new payment and blockchain-related products. Despite the cancellation of the option, Net1 maintains a strong relationship with the management and shareholders of Bank Frick, and will continue working closely with them. The board would like to thank KFS and Bank Frick for their understanding and support during these unprecedented times. About Net1 (www.net1.com) Net1 is a multinational financial technology company with a presence in Africa, Asia and Europe. Net1 leverages its proprietary banking and payment technology to distribute low-cost financial and value-added services to underbanked consumers and small businesses. The Company also provides transaction processing services, including being a leading payment processor and bill payment platform in South Africa. Net1 leverages its strategic investments in banks, telecom and mobile payment technology companies to further expand its product offerings or to enter new markets. Net1 has a primary listing on NASDAQ (NasdaqGS: UEPS) and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE: NT1). Visit www.net1.com for additional information about Net1. About Bank Frick (www.bankfrick.li) Bank Frick specialises in banking for intermediaries. The Liechtenstein bank provides a fully integrated offering of classic banking and blockchain banking services. Its clients include in particular fintechs, asset managers, payment service providers, family offices, fund promoters, pension funds and fiduciari...