Aktia Bank plc acquires the first mobile payment service in Europe, Elisa Rahoitus Oy

HELSINKI, 14-Jul-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — Aktia Bank plc acquires Elisa Rahoitus Oy, a subsidiary of Elisa Corporation; the ownership of the company is transferred to Aktia 1 July 2016. Simultaneously, the company’s name is changed to Aktia Finance Ltd. The acquisition is a part of Aktia’s growth strategy. It strengthens Aktia’s know-how in mobile payments and increases the level of development of technical solutions.

Aktia gives the popular service Elisa Lompakko a new home. Elisa Lompakko, launched in 2012, was the first mobile payment service in Europe, transmitting payment messages instantly from one user to another. The service will remain unchanged after the acquisition. Elisa Lompakko can be used both to pay quickly in shops and safely on the web. The service is used with smart phones, and its free to download for registered users. Elisa Lompakko has been downloaded by some 120,000 users.

In accordance with the company’s growth strategy, Aktia has focused on finding new partnerships and distribution channels in the last year. The cooperation between Aktia and R-kioski, launched in December, is a good example of new partnerships. The product range and services are continuously developed according to the needs and wishes of our customers. For Aktia, Elisa Lompakko will enable smoother development of digital services. The new service will provide even better services for Aktia’s customers.

The net purchase sum of EUR 1 million will be paid in cash. The acquisition has no significant effect on Aktia Bank plc’s profit or financial position.

SOURCE: Aktia Bank plc

For more information, please contact:
Carl Pettersson, Deputy Managing Director, Aktia Bank plc, tel. +358 10 247 6243

Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Central media
www.aktia.com

Aktia provides a broad range of products within banking, insurance and real estate agency. Aktia operates mainly in coastal areas and inland growth areas. Aktia has about 350,000 customers who are served by nearly 1,000 employees at 50 branch offices and via web and telephone services. Aktia’s shares are listed on the list of Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. For more information about Aktia see www.aktia.com.