Deluxe a leading cash and data-driven business solutions provider, has agreed acquisition of Celero Commerce, a major fintech company best known for its payment processing solutions to small and midsize businesses, for $625 million, subject to customary adjustments and seller-related expenses.
This acquisition is a key step in Deluxe’s business transformation strategy that helps it position itself stronger in the fast-growing payment and data sectors besides expanding its merchant services capabilities.
Celero Commerce is renowned as a tech-developer payment processor delivering omnichannel payment solutions integrated with excellent customer service at every touchpoint. Its platform offers tools for businesses to easily carry out transactions, boost operational efficiency and increase profitability for a diverse range of industries.
Strategic Move to Expand Payments and Data Business
Besides, the deal is in line with company’s plans to update payments infrastructure while also promote market visibility by many financial institutions, software providers, independent sales organizations, strategic partners, and direct sales channels.
Once closed the deal, the merged company will provide a more diversified range of payment solutions that can serve the changing needs of small and medium-sized businesses in different parts of the country.
Also Read: EnableComp Launches AI Transformation Series for Revenue Cycle Leaders
“Adding Celero immediately accelerates our transformation and shifts our revenue mix decisively towards our growing Payments and Data segments. Celero has loyal customers, partners, and employees, as well as strong financials and corporate culture, all of which are a natural fit with Deluxe,” said Barry McCarthy, President and CEO of Deluxe. “Combined, the two companies will broaden our distribution reach and deepen our presence across key verticals including financial institutions, independent software vendors, and independent sales organization partner channels. At Deluxe, we have a proprietary, fully-scaled processing platform that will compliment and seamlessly integrate with Celero and their technology to deliver a compelling value proposition for customers.”
Creating New Growth Opportunities
Celero sees its acquisition as a leap forward in a journey of growth and innovation. The merger will give the company the chance to benefit from the scale, resources, and technology of Deluxe, and at the same time maintain the service to customers through the established partner ecosystem and the customer-centric approach.
“This is a very thrilling new stage for Celero, our employees, partners, and customers, ” mentioned Kevin Jones, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Celero Commerce. “We’ve always been focused on helping businesses successfully operate through cutting-edge technology, excellent customer service, and strategic partnerships at Celero. Deluxe has those values too, and this merger enables us to carry out our mission even faster than if we were independent. By combining Deluxe’s scale, resources, and payments capabilities with Celero’s technology, channel expertise, and customer-first culture, we think that we are building an even stronger platform for our customers and partners while at the same time we will have new opportunities for growth.”
Key Strategic and Financial Benefits
Broader Market Reach
The acquisition amplifies Deluxe’s multi-channel approach to the market by integrating its deeply rooted relationships with financial institutions and direct sales teams with Celero’s budding network of independent sales organizations and software partners. This larger distribution network will allow the combined company to access a broader customer base across different industries.
Stronger Sales and Partner Ecosystem
Celero offers a skilled sales team and a thriving partner network that augments Deluxe’s current capabilities. In 2025 the company recruited about 60 new partners and at present it works with an active network of 375 partners, which leads to more chances for making money and widening the market.
Increased Scale and Operational Efficiency
Together, Deluxe and Celero processed approximately $70 billion in gross transaction volume during 2025. Based on industry reporting from Nilson, the combined entity is expected to rank among the ten largest non-bank merchant acquirers in the United States.
This increased scale is expected to enhance processing efficiencies, create stronger operating leverage, and improve long-term profitability by distributing fixed costs across a larger transaction base.
Attractive Financial Performance
Celero generated more than $200 million in revenue during 2025 while maintaining an adjusted EBITDA margin of 28% and an impressive 90% unlevered free cash flow conversion rate.
The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Deluxe’s adjusted earnings per share during the first year after closing. Additionally, the transaction is projected to contribute to higher revenue growth rates, stronger EBITDA margins, and increased cash flow generation.
Deluxe anticipates achieving more than $15 million in annual cost synergies within 24 months of closing, with additional opportunities for revenue-related synergies over time.
Disciplined Capital Structure Management
Upon completion of the transaction, Deluxe expects its combined net leverage ratio to be approximately 3.9x. Leveraging its established track record of debt reduction, the company plans to lower net leverage to below 3.0x within two years following the close of the acquisition.
The acquisition underscores Deluxe’s commitment to expanding its position in the digital payments ecosystem while delivering long-term value for customers, partners, and shareholders through enhanced scale, technology innovation, and operational efficiency.
