Michel Akkermans, CEO of C2P, said in a statement: “"In the current climate, banks more than ever view payments as a vital line of business. They realise that a close look at their payments operations is called for in order to have a broad business overview and to cut out inefficiencies. We are committed to offering financial institutions and other payment providers a single platform that handles all payment transactions”.

C2P operates the Open Payment Framework, which has led it from modest beginnings in Mechelen to a position as number three in the world in its field, with a strong position in the European Economic Area, in the US and in China. But the company recognised some gaps in its strategy, Akkermans said, particularly regarding payments by card – an area where Jware was far advanced. C2P had the choice of developing its own platform, he said, or buying one. The acquisition will allow C2P to go forward in the development of ATM systems and mobile payments, an area where the company is already cooperating with Alcatel-Lucent.