MasterCard (NYSE:MA) today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Payment Gateway Services business of Transaction Network Services (TNS). The business will join DataCash in expanding MasterCard’s global payment gateway solutions.

This transaction is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter of 2014.

With the addition of TNS Payment Gateway Services, DataCash will be able to drive additional growth of the eCommerce category – and use of MasterCard-branded products – in North America and Latin America. The combined offering will also expand the support for the next generation of online and mobile payments solutions through a quick integration with existing merchant and acquirer platforms, while enhancing DataCash and MasterCard’s fraud monitoring and mitigation capabilities.

“Digital commerce continues to be a key focus for MasterCard and the industry as a whole,” said Andrea Scerch, president, DataCash. “The acquisition of TNS Payment Gateway Services reflects a continued enhancement of our capabilities to support our partners as they establish and solidify their presence in both the digital and physical worlds today and into the future.”

TNS has been a trusted provider to the payments industry for more than 20 years. Its Payments Gateway Services is comprised of two core businesses – an eCommerce gateway and a card-present gateway.

“At TNS, we have created a feature-rich, flexible payment gateway business with best in class infrastructure and availability,” said Mike Keegan, co-chief executive officer at TNS. “Combining this business with DataCash’s offering will create a truly differentiated global digital commerce solution with increased development and distribution capabilities. TNS looks forward to continuing to work with MasterCard and DataCash to help their customers grow and expand their business.”

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA), http://www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

About DataCash

Founded in 1996, DataCash Group Ltd (part of MasterCard Incorporated) provides multi-channel global payment processing services and advanced fraud prevention and risk management solutions to merchants and banks. As a global partner to some of the world's most recognisable brands in the gaming, travel, retail and finance sectors, DataCash combines smart thinking and an end-to-end solution to help its customers transcend the complexities and expense associated with payment processing. Advanced technology from DataCash enables customers to accept and process payments in over 177 currencies, from over 45 brands across e-commerce, m-commerce channels and cardholder present channels – with the security and confidence of tools tailored to meet exacting and expanding business needs. DataCash customers protect their brand and reputation, enhance end-user experience and capitalise on new global market opportunities.

About Transaction Network Services

Transaction Network Services (TNS) is a leading global provider of data communications and interoperability solutions. TNS offers a broad range of networks and innovative value-added services which enable transactions and the exchange of information in diverse industries such as retail, banking, payment processing, telecommunications and the financial markets.

Founded in 1990 in the United States, TNS has grown steadily and now provides services in over 60 countries across the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region, with our reach extending to many more. TNS has designed and implemented multiple data networks which support a variety of widely accepted communications protocols and are designed to be scalable and accessible by multiple methods.

Transaction Network Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of affiliates of Siris Capital Group.

For further information about TNS, visit www.tnsi.com.

Forward Looking Statements:

Statements in this press release which are not historical facts, including statements about MasterCard’s plans, strategies, beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking and subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Accordingly, except for the company’s ongoing obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws, the company does not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking information to reflect actual results of operations, changes in financial condition, changes in estimates, expectations or assumptions, changes in general economic or industry conditions or other circumstances arising and/or existing since the preparation of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to the Company’s ability to close the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2014 and strengthen its eCommerce processing and switching capabilities through the acquisition of TNS Payment Gateway Services.

Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including those set forth in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that have been filed with the SEC during 2014, as well as reasons including difficulties, delays or the inability of the company to achieve its strategic initiatives set forth above. Factors other than those listed above could also cause the company’s results to differ materially from expected results.