Visa to Acquire Argentine Payments Firms Prisma and Newpay from Advent International

Visa has reached an agreement to acquire Prisma Medios de Pago and Newpay, two leading Argentine payments companies, from Advent International. The deal, announced on February 20, 2026, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Baker McKenzie is representing Advent International in the transaction.

Strategic Importance of the Acquisition

The acquisition highlights the strategic value of Prisma and Newpay as critical payments infrastructure in Argentina. These companies facilitate everyday payment flows and connect financial institutions, merchants and consumers throughout the country.

Companies Involved

Prisma Medios de Pago and Newpay are leading players in the Argentine payments landscape. Prisma, originally majority-owned by a consortium of Argentine banks and Visa, is a key licensee of the Visa brand and owns Banelco, Todo Pago, LaPos and Pago mis Cuentas.

Advent International is a leading global private equity investor.

Visa is a global payments technology company.

Legal Counsel

Baker McKenzie is providing legal counsel to Advent International, with the team led by M&A Partners Vanina Caniza and Francisco Fernández Rostello. Other partners involved include Geraldine Mirelman (M&A), Esteban Rópolo (Antitrust), and Matías Herrero (Employment).

Previous Ownership and Transactions

In February 2019, Advent International initially acquired a 51% stake in Prisma Medios de Pago for approximately US$724 million. The sellers at that time included Visa International and fourteen major Argentine banks. Beccar Varela and Covington & Burling LLP advised Prisma Medios de Pago and the sellers, whereas Baker McKenzie advised Advent International during that transaction.