Provider of banking and payments technology, Fidelity National Information Services Inc. (FIS) has agreed to buy SunGard Data Systems in a deal valued at $9.1 billion, including $4 billion of debt. In bobsguide FIS and SunGard commented on the deal:

• Gary Norcross, president and chief executive officer, FIS. “This is a significant milestone for FIS. By bringing together two innovative companies with common business models, similar cultures, strong leadership and complementary solutions, we are enhancing our ability to empower our clients and deepen client relationships through an expanded full-service offering. Our focus has always been on championing the needs of our clients and we are excited about the opportunities this combination provides to further deliver on that commitment.”
• Russ Fradin, SunGard president and chief executive officer said in bobsguide, “Our focus has always been on delivering more value to our clients and making decisions that achieve our growth and performance objectives. We are proud to become part of one of the financial services industry’s most respected and solidly performing companies. We embrace this transaction and believe it is the best outcome for our employees and the clients we are dedicated to serving.” (He would say that, but he must be looking forward to new owners who really understand the markets SunGard operate in.)

It will take 2-3 years and probably longer to see how this deal will impact SunGard’s corporate treasury customers, but early clues for treasurers will be:

• are user groups closed down or expanded?
• does customer service - the glue that makes systems and services really work - improve?
• is investment in integrated cloud based corporate treasury services expanded significantly with much fuller integration of the many TMS services SunGard bought over the last decade?
• new initiatives in integrating bank and corporate treasury systems and services?

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CTMfile take: Over the last decade SunGard have struggled with the private-equity firms who bought the firm not really understanding the needs of the rapidly evolving banking, payment and corporate treasury systems/services space which needs continual commitment and long-term investment. Hopefuly the SunGard corporate treasury systems & services team can look forward to the new owners feeding their great ideas on TMS, customer service and other corporate treasury services. But will a major provider of banking and payments technology understand corporate treasury any better? Watch this space.