A Columbus-based company payment company is making a $1.4 billion acquisition.

TSYS, a payment-acceptance company, is purchasing the reloadable pre-paid debit card company NetSpend. It is an all-cash deal.

The Austin, Texas company provides financial services to about 2.4 million people who don’t have bank accounts, and provides corporate payroll debit cards to those without banks. The deal will mean NetSpend shareholders get $16 a share.

In a statement, TSYS chairman and CEO Philip Tomlinson said the acquisition is a transformative event that would help diversify TSYS’ business. It will allow the company to be a “more innovative payment solutions provide,” he said. The business is expected to grow sharply in the next several years.

The purchase, which is subject to regulatory approval, is scheduled to close in the middle of the year.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Postcard depicting the predecessor to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Candler Field, c. 1927. The city signed a lease with Asa Candler to open the airfield in 1925. (Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center)

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez