ACI Worldwide, Inc. - ACIW STOCK NEWS

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) has announced an agreement with Starboard Value LP, which owns approximately 7.7% of ACI's common stock, to appoint two new independent directors to its Board. This addition will temporarily increase the Board's size to 12 members, with 11 being independent. ACI leadership emphasized that these appointments align with their commitment to Board refreshment and advancing profitability. The CEO of Starboard expressed confidence in ACI's potential for enhanced shareholder value through these changes.

Mastercard and ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) announced a partnership with Cámara de Compensación Electrónica (CCE) to enhance financial institutions' access to real-time payments in Peru. The collaboration aims to modernize the country's digital payment infrastructure, leveraging ACI's Enterprise Payments Platform and Mastercard's Instant Payment Service. Following a significant increase in transfer volumes—from 580,000 in January 2020 to over 2.8 million in January 2021—this initiative is set to support ongoing demand for real-time payments, with industry testing starting later this year.

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) has partnered with Auriga, a leader in omni-channel banking, to launch an advanced ATM and self-service banking platform. This collaboration aims to enhance the global banking experience by integrating ACI's Enterprise Payments Platform with Auriga's WinWebServer. The new solution seeks to improve customer service through the seamless connection of physical and digital banking channels. Both companies recognize the growing need for innovative banking solutions accelerated by the pandemic, with a focus on delivering 24/7 access to various banking services.

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a leader in real-time electronic payment software, is set to report its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2020 on February 25, 2021. Management will conduct a conference call at 8:30 am EST to discuss the results and future guidance. Interested participants can access the call via a real-time audio broadcast or through designated dial-in numbers. A replay of the call will be available for two weeks.

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) and Gilbarco Veeder-Root have announced a collaboration to jointly certify ACI's point-to-point encryption (P2PE) data security solution, aimed at enhancing protection for consumers using debit and credit cards at fuel pumps. This partnership seeks to exceed existing EMV security requirements and mitigate losses from data breaches and fraud, providing a comprehensive security solution for fuel retailers globally. ACI's P2PE capabilities will help in desensitizing payments infrastructure, reducing risks associated with sensitive cardholder data.

A recent study by ACI Worldwide reveals that 85% of merchants using a multi-acquiring strategy have improved conversion rates. The report highlights that 57% of merchants and 70% of payment service providers (PSPs) are currently adopting this approach.

Key benefits include enhanced resilience, reduced operational costs, and better access to alternative payment methods. 40% of single acquirer users plan to switch to multiple acquirers within a year, seeking flexibility and cost reduction. The findings underscore the growing trend of multi-acquiring in global payment strategies.

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) has appointed Amanda Mickleburgh, the product director for Merchant Fraud, to the European Advisory Board of the Merchant Risk Council. With over 15 years in fintech, Amanda will leverage her expertise in eCommerce fraud prevention and data intelligence to enhance the Board's initiatives. The Merchant Risk Council focuses on connecting eCommerce fraud and payments professionals and helps members navigate trends and risks in the digital landscape. Amanda's addition is seen as a strategic move to drive value for MRC members.

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) announced the successful implementation of its real-time payments solution by Thailand’s National ITMX to enhance the country's bulk payments processing system. This upgrade aims to facilitate continued growth in real-time payments, projected to rise from 13.3% in 2020 to 30.1% by 2025. The new system processed over 96 million transactions valued at approximately 143 billion USD in 2020, highlighting a 60% increase in transaction volume. The collaboration positions Thailand’s payment infrastructure for significant modernization and increased efficiency.

ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW) reported preliminary unaudited financial results for the year ending December 31, 2020, anticipating revenues between $1.280 billion and $1.295 billion with adjusted EBITDA of $350 million to $360 million. Despite COVID-19 challenges, the company achieved year-over-year growth and margin improvements. ACI reaffirms a long-term outlook for mid-single-digit organic revenue growth and expects 2021 to achieve the 'Rule of 40' for the first time. A conference call to discuss results is scheduled for January 28, 2021.