© Anutr Yossundara
MARKETWATCH: “Financial technology companies Fiserv Inc. and First Data Corp. plan to combine in a $22 billion all-stock deal, which analysts say may spur a wave of industry consolidation. The deal, announced Wednesday, could be “the largest in payments and financial technology history,” according to Fiserv FISV, -4.00% Chief Executive Jeffrey Yabuki. The combined company expects to be the market leader in global issuing and merchant processing, and it will give two entities that currently play in different areas of payments transactions the opportunity to touch the entire purchase experience.”