Latham & Watkins is advising Worldline, a global leader in payment services, on competition law matters in connection with its exclusive discussions with Crédit Agricole, one of the largest banking groups in Europe, regarding a strategic partnership to create a major player in the French payment market.

The partnership would be ensured by the set-up of a fully licensed joint-company between Crédit Agricole and Worldline. The joint venture would offer services to address all merchants’ payment services needs, both in-store and online, and would rely on Worldline’s technological expertise and innovation and Crédit Agricole’s large distribution networks and deep knowledge of the French market. The contemplated alliance is a unique opportunity for both companies to significantly expand their payment merchant services activities in the largest payment market in Continental Europe.

The Latham team was led by Paris antitrust partners Jacques-Philippe Gunther and Mathilde Saltiel, with Paris antitrust associates Jérôme de Ponsay, Anne-Claire Théry, and Marion Penloup.