For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
https://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20250425:nRSY2805Ga&default-theme=true
RNS Number : 2805G IFX (UK) Ltd 25 April 2025
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE
A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
25 April 2025
Recommended Acquisition
of
Argentex Group plc
by
IFX (UK) Ltd (trading as IFX Payments)
to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the
Companies Act 2006
Summary
· Following the announcement from Argentex Group plc ("Argentex") on
24 April 2025 and the commencement of an Offer Period with respect to Argentex
on 23 April 2025, the boards of IFX (UK Ltd) (trading as IFX Payments) ("IFX
Payments") and Argentex are pleased to announce that they have reached
agreement on the terms and conditions of a recommended cash offer by IFX
Payments for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of
Argentex (the "Acquisition").
· Under the terms of the Acquisition, Argentex Shareholders will be
entitled to receive:
for each Argentex Share: 2.49 pence in cash (the "Consideration")
The Consideration values the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share
capital of Argentex at approximately £3 million.
· In connection with the Acquisition, IFX Payments has provided a
secured bridging loan of £6.5 million (the "Bridge Loan Facility Agreement").
In addition, in order for Argentex to continue to service its existing
customers, Argentex and IFX Payments are in discussions regarding the
provision of further liquidity support to Argentex in the near term prior to
the Acquisition becoming Effective (the "Liquidity Support"). The Liquidity
Support will be provided by IFX Payments on an arm's-length basis.
· The Argentex Directors unanimously intend to recommend the
Acquisition.
· Irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the Scheme have been
received in respect of an aggregate of 70,161,376 Argentex Shares representing
58.26 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Argentex as
at 24 April 2025 (being the last Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement) ("Latest Practicable Date").
Pre-completion dividends
· If, on or after the date of this announcement and before the
Effective Date, any dividend and/or other distribution and/or other return of
capital is declared, made or paid or becomes payable in respect of Argentex
Shares, IFX Payments reserves the right to reduce the Consideration by an
amount up to the amount of such dividend and/or distribution and/or return of
capital, in which case any reference in this announcement to the Consideration
will be deemed to be a reference to the consideration as so reduced. Any
exercise by IFX Payments of its rights referred to in this paragraph shall be
the subject of an announcement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be
regarded as constituting any revision or variation of the terms of the Scheme.
In such circumstances, Argentex Shareholders would be entitled to retain any
such dividend, distribution or other return of capital declared, made or paid
or which becomes payable.
Intended implementation
· It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by way of a
Scheme (although IFX Payments reserves the right to effect the Acquisition by
way of an Offer, subject to the consent of the Panel and the terms of the
Co-operation Agreement). The Conditions to the Acquisition are set out in full
in Appendix 1 to the full announcement.
Recommendation
· The Argentex Directors, who have been so advised by Singer Capital
Markets Advisory LLP ("Singer Capital Markets") as to the financial terms of
the Acquisition, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and
reasonable. In providing its advice to the Argentex Directors, Singer Capital
Markets has taken into account the commercial assessments of the Argentex
Directors. Singer Capital Markets is providing independent financial advice to
the Argentex Directors for the purposes of Rule 3 of the Takeover Code.
· Accordingly, the Argentex Directors intend to recommend unanimously
that Argentex's Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting
and the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting as the Argentex
Directors who hold Argentex Shares have irrevocably undertaken to do in
respect of their own beneficial holdings (and the beneficial holdings of their
close relatives and related trusts), being, in aggregate, 10,113,677 Argentex
Shares (representing approximately 8.40 per cent. of the existing issued
ordinary share capital of Argentex) as at the Latest Practicable Date.
Background to and reasons for the Recommendation
· Following Argentex's recently published FY24 Annual Results on 2
April 2025 and subsequent associated results investor roadshow, Argentex has
been exposed to significant volatility in foreign exchange rates, particularly
in relation to the rapid devaluing of the US Dollar against other major
benchmark currencies which has been precipitated by the various recent
announcements from President Trump regarding tariff policies and US government
spending cuts.
· In light of these challenging market conditions, in recent days the
Argentex Board began exploring potential options to secure additional funding
and entered into discussions with a number of parties regarding expression of
interest in Argentex. The Board also engaged with certain of Argentex's
leading institutional shareholders to explore the possibility for an urgent
fundraising but concluded that this option was not viable in the
circumstances.
· On 22 April 2025, Argentex announced that it had experienced a
rapid and significant impact on its near term liquidity position, driven by,
inter alia, margin calls linked to its FX forward and options books. Argentex
stated that it had taken a number of steps to preserve cash and increase the
collateral received from its counterparties, but that if material volatility
in currency markets persisted then Argentex's financial liquidity position, if
not strengthened in the near term, would be significantly stretched.
· In light of these developments and the current material
uncertainty, Argentex requested a suspension of trading in Argentex's Shares
on AIM with effect from 7.30 a.m. on 22 April 2025.
· Argentex also announced a further deterioration in its liquidity
position on 23 April 2025 and that it needed to secure immediate financing for
Argentex to provide it with immediate working capital flexibility to assist
with its near-term liquidity needs.
· On 24 April 2025, the Board announced that it had reached agreement
on the terms of the Bridge Loan Facility Agreement with IFX Payments.
· The Board and IFX Payments have reached agreement today on the
terms and conditions of the Acquisition.
· The Board believes the principal benefit of the Acquisition, the
Bridge Loan Facility Agreement and any provision of further liquidity support
to Argentex by IFX Payments is to provide Argentex with sufficient working
capital to ensure the business remains solvent in light of the challenging
trading conditions and market volatility outlined above.
· In considering the financial terms of the Acquisition and
determining whether they reflect an appropriate valuation of Argentex, the
Argentex Directors have taken into account a number of factors including:
o the Acquisition will provide an opportunity for Argentex Shareholders to
realise immediate value for their current investment upfront in cash as
compared the likelihood of very limited or nil returns in the event that
Argentex entered into insolvency proceedings;
o the certain cash value of the Acquisition should be weighed against the
inherent uncertainty of Argentex's current financial position;
o prior to agreeing the terms of the Acquisition, Argentex evaluated other
expressions of interest in Argentex in order to ensure that the position of
Argentex Shareholders was optimised based on the options available to it and
concluded that the Acquisition was the most attractive for Argentex
Shareholders. Argentex confirms it is no longer in discussions with any other
party; and
o the views offered by certain Argentex Shareholders on the Acquisition
terms and the fact that IFX Payments has received irrevocable undertakings in
respect of 70,161,376 Argentex Shares representing, in aggregate,
approximately 58.26 per cent. of Argentex's total issued share capital as at
24 April 2025.
· In addition to the financial terms, the Argentex Directors have
also taken into account IFX Payments' intentions concerning Argentex's
business, management team, employees and other stakeholders (detailed in
paragraph 14). The Argentex Directors note the importance IFX Payments
attaches to the skill and experience of Argentex's employees who will continue
to be key to delivering high quality services to customers and IFX Payments'
vision for growth.
· Accordingly, following careful consideration of the above factors
the Argentex Directors intend to unanimously recommend that Argentex
Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the
resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting.
Background to and reasons for the Acquisition
· Notwithstanding the liquidity challenges Argentex is experiencing,
IFX Payments is an admirer of Argentex's achievements since formation in 2012,
where it has established itself as a highly regarded foreign exchange operator
and alternative banking platform, boasting a diverse client base having been
trusted by over 5,000 corporate and institutional clients.
· IFX Payments believes its strategic acquisition of the
complementary Argentex business represents a compelling proposition and will
facilitate a significant step forward in its mission to become the number one
service led alternative banking partner in EMEA for corporates and financial
institutions. The Acquisition, if completed, will allow IFX Payments to expand
its regulated capabilities, strengthen its product suite, particularly in FX
risk management and fund flows, and enhance its institutional client reach and
geographical presence. The IFX Payments Directors believe that Combined Group
will benefit from operational synergies and provide its customers with an
enhanced product offering.
· Furthermore, IFX Payments believes that the Argentex business will
benefit from access to IFX Payments' strong balance sheet and enhanced access
to capital, positioning the Combined Group to capitalise on the significant,
addressable market opportunity.
Irrevocable undertakings
· The Argentex Directors who hold Argentex Shares ("Director
Shareholders"), Heather Beckwith, John Beckwith, Mark Johnson, Nicola Bearman,
Pacific Investments Management Limited, Piers Beckwith, Gresham House Asset
Management Limited ("Gresham House"), Harwood Capital LLP ("Harwood Capital"),
Andrew Egan, Jim Ormonde and Harry Adams have irrevocably undertaken to vote
(or, where applicable, procure voting) in favour of the Scheme at the Court
Meeting and the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting (or in the
event that the Acquisition is implemented by an Offer, to accept or procure
acceptance of such Offer) in respect of their own beneficial holdings (and, in
the case of Director Shareholders, have undertaken to procure that their
connected parties, including close relatives and related trusts do so in
respect of their respective beneficial holdings) of, in aggregate, 70,161,376
Argentex Shares, representing approximately 58.26 per cent. of the existing
issued ordinary share capital of Argentex as at the Latest Practicable Date.
The irrevocable undertakings remain binding in the event of a competing offer.
Information on IFX Payments
IFX Payments is a global fintech company headquartered in London, offering
innovative digital payment and foreign exchange solutions for businesses. Its
flagship platform, ibanq, provides corporate and institutional clients with a
multi-currency virtual IBAN account, allowing seamless management of up to 46
currencies from a single interface. IFX Payments has seen substantial growth,
reporting £41 million in revenue and a 56 per cent. profit before tax
increase of £6.0 million to £9.4 million for the 2023/24 financial year. IFX
Payments continues to expand internationally, recently acquiring a Foreign
Money Services Business licence in Canada and authorisation to provide money
services in Dubai under a DFSA authorisation.
Information on Argentex
· Argentex is a provider of currency risk management and alternative
banking, with a history in providing a range of services to its clients since
inception in 2012. Argentex is headquartered in London and admitted to trading
on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market in mid-2019. Argentex has since
added operations in Amsterdam, Dubai and Australia whilst expanding its
product offering.
· Argentex provides an alternative to traditional banks, offering
bespoke global payment and currency risk management services. Argentex
executes FX spot, forward and structured solutions on behalf of clients,
providing value through flexibility, competitive pricing and its experienced
employees.
Suspension of trading on AIM
Notwithstanding the provision of the £6.5 million bridging loan by IFX
Payments and discussions between Argentex and IFX Payments regarding further
Liquidity Support, in light of the requirement for Argentex to secure
significant further immediate ongoing liquidity support within the next week,
trading in Argentex Shares will remain suspended. In the absence of the Bridge
Loan Facility Agreement the Board would have taken immediate steps to protect
value in the business for Argentex's creditors and other stakeholders. Further
announcements will be made in due course.
Timetable and conditions
· It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by way of
the Scheme (although IFX Payments reserves the right to effect the Acquisition
by way of an Offer, subject to the consent of the Panel and the terms of the
Co-operation Agreement). The terms of the Acquisition will be put to Argentex
Shareholders at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting (which is expected
to take place immediately following the Court Meeting). The Meetings are
required to enable Argentex Shareholders to consider and, if thought fit, vote
in favour of resolutions to approve the Scheme and its implementation. In
order to become Effective, the Scheme must be approved at the Court Meeting by
a majority in number of Scheme Shareholders, present and voting (and entitled
to vote), whether in person or by proxy, representing 75 per cent. or more in
nominal value of the Scheme Shares held by those Scheme Shareholders. The
Scheme also requires the passing at the General Meeting of the Resolutions.
Following the Court Meeting and the General Meeting, the Scheme must also be
sanctioned by the Court. The Scheme is expected to become Effective during the
second half of the calendar year 2025.
· The Acquisition will be on the terms and subject to the Conditions
set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement and to be set out in the Scheme
Document. The Conditions include, amongst others:
o receipt of regulatory approval from the FCA, DFSA and Dutch Central Bank,
in each case, either unconditionally or subject to terms and conditions
satisfactory to IFX Payments (acting reasonably); and
o No member of the Argentex Group taking steps or having steps taken against
them for their winding-up or the commencement of any other insolvency related
process.
· Full details of the Acquisition will be provided in the Scheme
Document. It is expected that the Scheme Document, containing further
information about the Acquisition and notices of the Meetings, together with
the associated forms of proxy, will be posted to Argentex Shareholders within
28 days of this announcement (or such later time as Argentex and IFX Payments
may agree, with the consent of the Panel). An expected timetable of key events
relating to the Acquisition will be provided in the Scheme Document.
· Commenting on the Acquisition, Nigel Railton, Chairman of Argentex,
said:
"This has been an extremely challenging last few days for Argentex but
following swift action by the Board and its advisers, we believe that through
the Acquisition we have secured the best outcome in very difficult
circumstances for Argentex Shareholders.
· Commenting on the Acquisition, Will Marwick, Chief Executive
Officer of IFX Payments, said:
"We are very pleased to announce the proposed acquisition of Argentex, which
represents a significant step forward in our mission to become the leading,
service led, alternative banking partner in EMEA for both corporate and
financial institutions. Through the acquisition of Argentex, we enhance our
regulated capabilities, diversify our product portfolio, particularly in FX
risk management and institutional offering, and further expand our
geographical reach and network. We look forward to the Argentex team joining
us and working together towards our shared ambitions in the rapidly growing
global payments and currency risk management solutions sectors"
This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject to, the
following full announcement and its Appendices. The Acquisition will be
subject to the Conditions and other terms set out in the full announcement,
including Appendix 1 to the full announcement, and to the full terms and
conditions which will be set out in the Scheme Document. The Conditions to,
and certain further terms of, the Acquisition are set out in Appendix 1 to the
full announcement. The sources and bases of calculation of certain information
contained in this announcement are set out in Appendix 2 to the full
announcement. Details of irrevocable undertakings received by IFX Payments are
set out in Appendix 3 to the full announcement. Certain terms used in this
announcement are defined in Appendix 4 to the full announcement.
Enquiries:
IFX Payments c/o Strand Hanson
Strand Hanson Limited (Financial Adviser to IFX Payments) +44 (0) 20 7409 3494
James Dance
Rob Patrick
Imogen Ellis
Harry Marshall
Argentex Group plc c/o Teneo Financial Advisory Limited
Tim Rudman - Interim Chief Executive Officer
Guy Rudolph - Chief Financial Officer
Singer Capital Markets Advisory LLP (Nominated Adviser and Financial Adviser +44 (0) 20 7496 3000
to Argentex)
James Maxwell
Tom Salvesen
Phil Davies
Asha Chotai
James Todd
Teneo Financial Advisory Limited (Capital Market Communications Ltd) +44 (0) 20 7260 2700
(Financial PR Adviser to Argentex)
James Macey-White
Victoria Boxall
Riann Cato
Bird & Bird LLP is acting as legal adviser to IFX Payments. Gowling WLG is
acting as legal adviser to Argentex.
Inside Information
This announcement contains inside information as defined in the Market Abuse
Regulation. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory
Information Service, such inside information will be considered to be in the
public domain.
Important notices relating to financial advisers and nominated adviser
Strand Hanson Limited ("Strand Hanson"), which is authorised and regulated by
the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively
for IFX Payments and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and
will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the Acquisition
and will not be responsible to anyone other than IFX Payments for providing
the protections afforded to clients of Strand Hanson, nor for providing advice
in relation to any matter referred to in this announcement.
Singer Capital Markets Advisory LLP ("Singer Capital Markets"), which is
authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct
Authority, is acting as nominated adviser to Argentex for the purposes of the
AIM Rules and no-one else in connection with the matters set out in this
announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to
the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to
anyone other than Argentex for providing the protections afforded to clients
of Singer Capital Markets, nor for providing advice in relation to the
contents of this announcement or any other matter referred to in this
announcement. Singer Capital Markets' responsibilities as Argentex's nominated
adviser under the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers are owed solely to the
London Stock Exchange and are not owed to Argentex or to any Argentex Director
or to any other person.
Further information
This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and
does not, constitute or form part of any offer or inducement to sell or an
invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise
dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities, any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the
Acquisition or otherwise. The Acquisition will be made and implemented solely
pursuant to the terms of the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is
implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer Document), which will contain the
full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of what action
is required from Argentex Shareholders in respect of the Acquisition. Any
decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition should be made
only on the basis of the information in the Scheme Document (or, if the
Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer Document).
Argentex and IFX Payments shall prepare the Scheme Document (or, if the
Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer Document) to be
distributed to Argentex Shareholders. Argentex and IFX Payments urge Argentex
Shareholders to read the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is
implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer Document) in its entirety when it
becomes available because it will contain important information relating to
the Acquisition.
This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent
document.
IFX Payments reserves the right to elect to implement the Acquisition by way
of an Offer as an alternative to the Scheme (subject to the Panel's consent
and the terms of the Co-operation Agreement). In such event, the Acquisition
will be implemented on substantially the same terms, so far as applicable, as
those which will apply to the Scheme, subject to appropriate amendments to
reflect, among other things, the change in method of effecting the Acquisition
(including, without limitation: (i) the inclusion of an acceptance condition
set at 90 per cent. of the Argentex Shares to which such Offer relates (or
such other percentage as IFX Payments may, subject to the rules of the
Takeover Code and the terms of the Co-operation Agreement and with the consent
of the Panel, decide); and (ii) those required by, or deemed appropriate by,
IFX Payments under applicable law, including US securities law). Further, if
sufficient acceptances of such Offer are received and/or sufficient Argentex
Shares are otherwise acquired, it is the intention of IFX Payments to apply
the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 to acquire compulsorily any
outstanding Argentex Shares to which such offer relates.
Overseas Shareholders
This announcement has been prepared in accordance with and for the purpose of
complying with the laws of England and Wales, the Takeover Code, the Market
Abuse Regulation, the AIM Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency
Rules and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have
been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the
laws of jurisdictions outside England.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into
jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and
therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other
than the United Kingdom should inform themselves of, and observe, any
applicable requirements of their jurisdictions.
The availability of the Acquisition to Argentex Shareholders who are not
resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of
the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are
citizens. Persons who are not resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom
should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory
requirements of their jurisdictions. In particular, the ability of persons who
are not resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom to vote their Argentex
Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Court Meeting, or to execute and
deliver forms of proxy appointing another person to vote at the Court Meeting
on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in
which they are located. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions
may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons
involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the
violation of such restrictions by any person.
Unless otherwise determined by IFX Payments or required by the Takeover Code,
and permitted by applicable law and regulation, participation in the
Acquisition will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or
from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that
jurisdiction and no person may vote in favour of the Acquisition by any such
use, means, instrumentality or from within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any
other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of
that jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any formal
documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be,
directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in,
into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving this
announcement and all such documents relating to the Acquisition (including
custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward,
distribute or send them in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so
may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of the Acquisition.
If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless otherwise
permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer may not be made
directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or
instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other
electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce
of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of
any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer shall not be capable of acceptance
by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities.
Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the
Scheme Document.
Notice to US investors in Argentex
Argentex Shareholders in the United States should note that the Acquisition
relates to the shares of an English company with a quotation on AIM and is
proposed to be made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under,
and governed by, the laws of England and Wales.
Neither the proxy solicitation nor the tender offer rules under the US
Exchange Act will apply to the Scheme. Moreover, the Scheme will be subject to
the disclosure and procedural requirements and practices applicable in the
United Kingdom to schemes of arrangement, which differ from the disclosure
requirements of US tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. If, in the
future, IFX Payments exercises the right to implement the Acquisition by way
of an Offer and determines to extend the offer into the United States, the
Acquisition will be made in compliance with applicable United States laws and
regulations, including any applicable exemptions under the US Exchange Act.
Such an Offer would be made in the United States by IFX Payments and no one
else. In accordance with normal United Kingdom practice and consistent with
Rule 14e-5 under the US Exchange Act, IFX Payments, certain affiliated
companies and the nominees or brokers (acting as agents) may make certain
purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, shares in Argentex outside such
Offer during the period in which such Offer would remain open for acceptance.
If such purchases or arrangements to purchase were to be made they would be
made outside the US either in the open market at prevailing prices or in
private transactions at negotiated prices and would comply with applicable
law, including, to the extent applicable, the US Exchange Act. Any information
about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the United Kingdom, will
be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the
London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com
(http://www.londonstockexchange.com/) .
The financial information included in this announcement and the Scheme
Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer
Document) has been or will have been prepared in accordance with accounting
standards applicable in the United Kingdom and thus may not be comparable to
the financial information of US companies or companies whose financial
statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States.
The receipt of consideration by a US holder for the transfer of its Argentex
Shares pursuant to the Acquisition may be a taxable transaction for US federal
income tax purposes and under applicable US state and local, as well as non-US
and other, tax laws. Each Argentex Shareholder is urged to consult their
independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of
the Acquisition applicable to them, including under applicable US federal,
state and local, as well as non-US and other, tax laws.
It may be difficult for US holders of Argentex Shares to enforce their rights
and any claim arising out of the US federal laws or to enforce against them a
judgment of a US court predicated upon the securities laws of the United
Kingdom, since IFX Payments and Argentex are incorporated in a non-US
jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents
of countries other than the United States. US holders of Argentex Shares may
not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US
court for violations of the US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult
to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US
court's jurisdiction or judgement.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this
announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other
information published by IFX Payments and Argentex contain certain statements
which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements".
Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on
historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the
management of IFX Payments and/or Argentex (as the case may be) about future
events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause
actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or
implied by the forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do
not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements
often use words such as "anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate",
"intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "hope", "aims", "continue", "will",
"may", "should", "would", "could", or other words of similar meaning or
derivatives thereof. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments
made by Argentex and/or IFX Payments in light of their experience and their
perception of historical trends, current conditions, future developments and
other factors they believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risk and uncertainty, because they relate
to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and the
factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this
announcement could cause actual results, performance or developments to differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those described in the forward-looking statements, include, but are not
limited to: the ability to complete the
Acquisition, the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder
approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on the proposed terms,
changes in the global, political, economic, business or competitive
environments and in market and regulatory forces, changes in financial
regulatory matters, changes in future exchange and interest rates, changes in
tax rates and future business combinations or dispositions.
Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such
expectations will prove to have been correct and you are therefore cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak
only as at the date of this announcement. Neither Argentex nor IFX Payments
assumes any obligation to update or correct the information contained in this
announcement (whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise), except as required by applicable law.
Dealing and opening position disclosure requirements
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in 1 per
cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of
any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in
respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be,
solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the
commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in
which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position
Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions
in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the
offeree company; and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening
Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no
later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10(th) business day following the
commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30
p.m. (London time) on the 10(th) business day following the announcement in
which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons
who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities
exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position
Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the
offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing
Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must
contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and
short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of
each of (i) the offeree company; and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s),
save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under
Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be
made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the business day following
the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding,
whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant
securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will
be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by
any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company,
by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see
Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant
securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made
can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel's website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk (http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk/) , including
details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period
commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the
Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any
doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or
a Dealing Disclosure.
Publication on a website
In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this announcement
and other documents required to be published under Rule 26 of the Takeover
Code will be made available, subject to certain restrictions relating to
persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Argentex's website at
www.argentex.com and IFX Payments' website at www.ifxpayments.com/argentex.com
by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the first Business Day following the
date of this announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the contents of
these websites nor any website accessible from hyperlinks is incorporated into
or forms part of this announcement.
No profit forecasts, profit estimates or quantified benefits statements
No statement in this announcement is intended to constitute a profit forecast,
profit estimate or quantified benefits statement for any period and no
statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that the earnings
or future earnings per share of, or dividends or future dividends per share
of, Argentex for the current or future financial years will necessarily match
or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share or dividends
per share of Argentex.
Requesting hard copy documents
In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Takeover Code, Argentex Shareholders and
persons with information rights and participants in Argentex Share Plans may
request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting Argentex's registrars,
Computershare Investor Services PLC, by writing to them at The Pavilions,
Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZZ or by calling them on +44 (0)370 703 6003
during business hours (9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday
excluding public holidays in England and Wales). Calls are charged at the
standard geographical rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United
Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Please note that
Computershare cannot provide any financial, legal or tax advice and calls may
be recorded and monitored for security and training purposes. For persons who
receive a copy of this announcement in electronic form or via a website
notification, a hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so
requested. Such persons may also request that all future documents,
announcements and information to be sent to them in relation to the
Acquisition should be in hard copy form.
Electronic communications
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other
information provided by Argentex Shareholders, persons with information rights
and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Argentex may
be provided to IFX Payments during the Offer Period as required under Section
4 of Appendix 4 of the Takeover Code to comply with Rule 2.11(c).
Rounding
Certain figures included in this announcement have been subjected to rounding
adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in
different tables may vary slightly and figures shown as totals in certain
tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.
General
If the Acquisition is effected by way of an Offer, and such an Offer becomes
or is declared unconditional in all respects and sufficient acceptances are
received, IFX Payments intends to exercise its rights to apply the provisions
of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act 2006 so as to acquire
compulsorily the remaining Argentex Shares in respect of which the Offer has
not been accepted.
Investors should be aware that IFX Payments may purchase Argentex Shares
otherwise than under any Offer or the Scheme, including pursuant to privately
negotiated purchases.
If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action
you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial
advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor or
independent financial adviser duly authorised under FSMA if you are resident
in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriate authorised
independent financial adviser.
Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code
For the purposes of Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code, Argentex confirms that, as
at 24 April 2025 (being the last Business Day prior to this announcement), it
had in issue 120,429,055 ordinary shares of £0.0001 each and 23,589,212
Management Shares (excluding shares held in treasury). The ISIN for the
ordinary shares is GB00BJLPH056.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE
A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATION OF SUCH JURISDICTION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
25 April 2025
Recommended Acquisition
of
Argentex Group plc
by
IFX (UK) Ltd (trading as IFX Payments)
to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the
Companies Act 2006
1. Introduction
Following the announcements on 23 April 2025 and 24 April 2025 and the
commencement of the Offer Period with respect to Argentex Group plc
("Argentex") on 23 April 2025, the boards of IFX (UK) Ltd (trading as IFX
Payments) ("IFX Payments") and Argentex are pleased to announce that they have
reached agreement on the terms and conditions of a recommended cash offer by
IFX Payments for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of
Argentex (the "Acquisition").
2. The Acquisition
Under the terms of the Acquisition, which will be subject to the Conditions
and further terms set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement and the full
terms and conditions to be set out in the Scheme Document, Argentex
Shareholders will be entitled to receive a total consideration of:
for each Argentex Share: 2.49 pence in cash (the "Consideration")
The Consideration values the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share
capital of Argentex at approximately £3 million.
· In connection with the Acquisition, IFX Payments provided on 24
April 2025 a secured bridging loan of £6.5 million (the "Bridge Loan Facility
Agreement"). In addition, in order for Argentex to continue to service its
existing customers, Argentex and IFX Payments are in discussions regarding the
provision of further liquidity support to Argentex in the near term prior to
the Acquisition becoming Effective (the "Liquidity Support"). The Liquidity
Support will be provided by IFX Payments on an arm's-length basis.
· The Argentex Directors unanimously intend to recommend the
Acquisition.
· Irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the Scheme have been
received in respect of an aggregate of 70,161,376 Argentex Shares representing
58.26 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Argentex as
at 24 April 2025 (being the last Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement) (the "Latest Practicable Date").
Intended implementation
It is intended that the Acquisition will be implemented by way of a Scheme
(although IFX Payments reserves the right to effect the Acquisition by way of
an Offer, subject to the consent of the Panel and the terms of the
Co-operation Agreement). The Conditions to the Acquisition are set out in full
in Appendix 1 to this announcement.
The Argentex Shares will be acquired pursuant to the Acquisition fully paid
and free from all liens, charges, equities, encumbrances, rights of
pre-emption and any other interest of any nature whatsoever and together with
all rights attaching thereto, including without limitation voting rights and
the rights to receive and retain in full all dividends and distributions (if
any) announced, declared, made or paid with a record date on or after the
Scheme Record Time.
3. Recommendation
The Argentex Directors, who have been so advised by Singer Capital Markets
Advisory LLP ("Singer Capital Markets") as to the financial terms of the
Acquisition, consider the terms of the Acquisition to be fair and reasonable.
In providing its advice to the Argentex Directors, Singer Capital Markets has
taken into account the commercial assessments of the Argentex Directors.
Singer Capital Markets is providing independent financial advice to the
Argentex Directors for the purposes of Rule 3 of the Takeover Code.
Accordingly, the Argentex Directors intend to recommend unanimously that
Argentex's Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and
the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting as the Argentex
Directors who hold Argentex Shares have irrevocably undertaken to do in
respect of their own beneficial holdings (and the beneficial holdings of their
close relatives and related trusts), being, in aggregate, 10,113,677 Argentex
Shares (representing approximately 8.40 per cent. of the existing issued
ordinary share capital of Argentex) as at the Latest Practicable Date.
4. Background to and reasons for the Recommendation
Following Argentex's recently published FY24 Annual Results on 2 April 2025
and subsequent associated results investor roadshow, Argentex has been exposed
to significant volatility in foreign exchange rates, particularly in relation
to the rapid devaluing of the US Dollar against other major benchmark
currencies which has been precipitated by the various recent announcements
from President Trump regarding tariff policies and US government spending
cuts.
In light of these challenging market conditions, in recent days the Argentex
Board began exploring potential options to secure additional funding and
entered into discussions with a number of parties regarding expression of
interest in Argentex. The Board also engaged with certain of Argentex's
leading institutional shareholders to explore the possibility for an urgent
fundraising but concluded that this option was not viable in the
circumstances.
On 22 April 2025 Argentex announced that it had experienced a rapid and
significant impact on its near term liquidity position, driven by, inter alia,
margin calls linked to its FX forward and options books. Argentex stated that
it had taken a number of steps to preserve cash and increase the collateral
received from its counterparties, but that if material volatility in currency
markets persisted then Argentex's financial liquidity position, if not
strengthened in the near term, would be significantly stretched.
In light of these developments and the current material uncertainty, Argentex
requested a suspension of trading in Argentex's Shares on AIM with effect from
07.30 a.m. on 22 April 2025.
Argentex also announced a further deterioration in its liquidity position on
23 April 2025 and that it needed to secure immediate financing for Argentex to
provide it with immediate working capital flexibility to assist with its
near-term liquidity needs.
On 24 April 2025 the Board reached agreement on the terms of the Bridge Loan
Facility Agreement with IFX Payments.
The Board and IFX Payments have reached agreement today on the terms and
conditions of the Acquisition.
The Board believes the principal benefit of the Acquisition, the Bridge Loan
Facility Agreement and any provision of further liquidity support to Argentex
by IFX Payments is to ensure that Argentex has sufficient working capital to
ensure the business remains solvent in light of the challenging trading
conditions and market volatility outlined above.
In considering the financial terms of the Acquisition and determining whether
they reflect an appropriate valuation of Argentex, the Argentex Directors have
taken into account a number of factors including:
· the Acquisition will provide an opportunity for Argentex
Shareholders to realise immediate value for their current investment upfront
in cash as compared the likelihood of very limited or nil returns in the event
that Argentex entered into insolvency proceedings;
· the certain cash value of the Acquisition should be weighed against
the inherent uncertainty of Argentex's current financial position;
· prior to agreeing the terms of the Acquisition, Argentex evaluated
other expressions of interest in Argentex in order to ensure that the position
of Argentex Shareholders was optimised based on the options available to it
and concluded that the Acquisition was the most attractive for Argentex
Shareholders. Argentex confirms it is no longer in discussions with any other
party; and
· the views offered by certain Argentex Shareholders on the
Acquisition terms and the fact that IFX Payments has received irrevocable
undertakings in respect of 70,161,376 Argentex Shares representing, in
aggregate, approximately 58.2 per cent. of Argentex's total issued share
capital as at 24 April 2025.
In addition to the financial terms, the Argentex Directors have also taken
into account IFX Payments' intentions concerning Argentex's business,
management team, employees and other stakeholders (detailed in paragraph 14).
The Argentex Directors note the importance IFX Payments attaches to the skill
and experience of Argentex's employees who will continue to be key to
delivering high quality services to customers and IFX Payments' vision for
growth.
Accordingly, following careful consideration of the above factors the Argentex
Directors intend to unanimously recommend that Argentex Shareholders vote in
favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the resolutions to be proposed
at the General Meeting.
5. Background to and reasons for the Acquisition
Notwithstanding the liquidity challenges Argentex is experiencing, IFX Payments is an admirer of Argentex's achievements since formation in 2012, where it has established itself as a highly regarded foreign exchange operator and alternative banking platform, boasting a diverse client base having been trusted by over 5,000 corporate and institutional clients.
IFX Payments believes its strategic acquisition of the complementary Argentex business represents a compelling proposition and will facilitate a significant step forward in its mission to become the number one service led alternative banking partner in EMEA for corporates and financial institutions. The Acquisition, if completed, will allow IFX Payments to expand its regulated capabilities, strengthen its product suite, particularly in FX risk management and fund flows, and enhance its institutional client reach and geographical presence. The IFX Payments Directors believe that Combined Group will benefit from operational synergies and provide its customers with an enhanced product offering.
Furthermore, IFX Payments believes that the Argentex business will benefit
from access to IFX Payments' strong balance sheet and enhanced access to
capital, positioning the Combined Group to capitalise on the significant,
addressable market opportunity.
6. Suspension of trading on AIM
Notwithstanding the provision of the £6.5 million bridging loan by IFX Payments and discussions between Argentex and IFX Payments regarding further Liquidity Support, in light of the requirement for Argentex to secure significant further immediate ongoing liquidity support within the next week, trading in Argentex Shares will remain suspended. In the absence of the Bridge Loan Facility Agreement the Board would have taken immediate steps to protect value in the business for Argentex's creditors and other stakeholders. Further announcements will be made in due course.
7. Conditions to the Acquisition
The Acquisition will be on the terms and subject to the Conditions set out in
Appendix 1 to this announcement and to be set out in the Scheme Document. The
Conditions include, amongst others:
(a) the approval by a majority in number representing not less
than 75 per cent. in value of the Scheme Shareholders who are on the register
of members of Argentex (or the relevant class or classes thereof, if
applicable) at the Scheme Voting Record Time, present and voting (and entitled
to vote);
(b) the passing of all resolutions required to approval and
implement the Scheme by the requisite majority or majorities of Argentex
Shareholders at the General Meeting;
(c) the sanction of the Scheme by the Court with or without
modification (but subject to any such modification being acceptable to IFX
Payments and Argentex);
(d) the delivery of a copy of the Scheme Court Order to the
Registrar of Companies for registration;
(e) regulatory approval from the FCA, DFSA and Dutch Central Bank
(Conditions 3(a), 3(f), and 3(g)), in each case, either unconditionally or
subject to terms and conditions satisfactory to IFX Payments (acting
reasonably); and
(f) no member of the Argentex Group taking steps or having steps
taken against them for their winding-up or the commencement of any other
insolvency related process (Conditions 3(l)(xii) and 3(l)(xiii) or in either
case there being no agreement or other arrangement in respect of the same as
per Condition 3(l)(xx) (together, the "Insolvency Condition")).
Regulatory and Solvency Conditions
The Acquisition is conditional on regulatory approval from the FCA, DFSA and
Dutch Central Bank (Conditions 3(a), 3(f), and 3(g)). Failure to obtain the
FCA's or the Dutch Central Bank's prior approval would be a criminal as well
as a civil offence. In such an event, the FCA has the power to impose
restrictions on the controller's shareholding in Argentex or to apply to the
court for an order for the sale of shares or the disposition of voting power.
Failure to obtain the DFSA's prior approval could result in the Acquisition
being rendered invalid, in regulatory sanction and/or in senior executives or
directors becoming personally liability for a regulatory breach.
IFX Payments does not intend to implement the transaction without each of the
FCA, DFSA and Dutch Central Bank having provided their prior consent, such
consent being provided either unconditionally or subject to conditions as are
satisfactory to IFX Payments (acting reasonably). Accordingly, such conditions
could be invoked by IFX Payments with the consent of the Panel if the FCA,
DFSA or the Dutch Central Bank either does not provide its consent to the
Acquisition or in the event that it attaches conditions to such consent which
are not satisfactory to IFX Payments (acting reasonably).
Furthermore, IFX Payments does not intend to implement the transaction if any
member of the Argentex Group has taken steps or has steps taken against them
for their winding-up or the commencement of any other insolvency related
process, and accordingly, the Insolvency Condition could be invoked by IFX
Payments with the consent of the Panel if any such circumstances arise.
Each of the Conditions described above have been included following specific
negotiation between the parties and IFX Payments' intentions in this regard
have been discussed with Argentex.
A decision by the Panel whether to permit IFX Payments to invoke a condition
to the offer would be judged by the Panel by reference to the facts at the
time that the relevant circumstances arise, including the views of the board
of Argentex at that time.
8. Information relating to IFX Payments
IFX Payments is a global fintech company headquartered in London, offering
innovative digital payment and foreign exchange solutions for businesses. Its
flagship platform, ibanq, provides corporate and institutional clients with a
multi-currency virtual IBAN account, allowing seamless management of up to 46
currencies from a single interface. IFX Payments has seen substantial growth,
reporting £41 million in revenue. IFX Payments continues to expand
internationally, recently acquiring a Foreign Money Services Business license
in Canada and authorisation to provide money services in Dubai under a DFSA
authorisation.
9. Information relating to Argentex
Argentex is a provider of currency risk management and alternative banking, with a history in providing a range of services to its clients since inception in 2012. Argentex is headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market in mid-2019. Argentex has since added operations in Amsterdam, Dubai and Australia whilst expanding its product offering.
Argentex provides an alternative to traditional banks, offering bespoke global payment and currency risk management services. Argentex executes FX spot, forward and structured solutions on behalf of clients, providing value through flexibility, competitive pricing and its experienced employees.
10. Irrevocable undertakings
In total, IFX Payments has procured irrevocable undertakings to vote (or,
where applicable, procure voting) in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting
and the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting (or in the event
that the Acquisition is implemented by an Offer, to accept or procure
acceptance of such Offer) in respect of, in aggregate, 70,161,376 Argentex
Shares, representing approximately 58.26 per cent. of the existing issued
ordinary share capital of Argentex as at 24 April 2025 (being the last
Business Day prior to this announcement).
The irrevocable undertakings will cease to be binding only if:
(a) IFX Payments announces, with the consent of the Panel, that
it does not intend to proceed with the Acquisition;
(b) the Scheme Document (or the Offer Document as the case may be)
is not posted to shareholders of Argentex within 28 days after the release of
this announcement (or within such longer period as IFX Payments and Argentex
may agree with the consent of the Panel); and
(c) the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn.
Director Shareholders
Moreover, Director Shareholders have irrevocably undertaken to vote (or, where
applicable, procure voting) in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and
the Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting (or in the event that
the Acquisition is implemented by an Offer, to accept or procure acceptance of
such Offer) in respect of their own beneficial holdings (and have undertaken
to procure that their connected parties, including close relatives and related
trusts do so in respect of their respective beneficial holdings) totalling
10,113,677 Argentex Shares in aggregate, representing approximately 8.40 per
cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Argentex as at the
Latest Practicable Date.
Other Shareholders
Heather Beckwith, John Beckwith, Mark Johnson, Nicola Bearman, Pacific
Investments Management Limited, Piers Beckwith, Gresham House, Harwood
Capital, Andrew Egan, Harry Adams and Jim Ormonde have also irrevocably
undertaken to vote (or, where applicable, procure voting) in favour of the
Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolutions to be proposed at the General
Meeting (or in the event that the Acquisition is implemented by an Offer, to
accept or procure acceptance of such Offer) in respect of their own beneficial
holdings (and, in the case of Director Shareholders, have undertaken to
procure that their connected parties, including close relatives, affiliates
and related trusts do so in respect of their respective beneficial holdings)
of, in aggregate, 60,047,699 Argentex Shares, representing approximately 49.86
per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Argentex as at the
Latest Practicable Date.
The irrevocable undertakings remain binding in the event of a competing offer.
Further details of these irrevocable undertakings (including the circumstances
in which they cease to be binding) are set out in Appendix 3 to this
announcement.
11. Financing of the Acquisition
The consideration necessary to satisfy the Acquisition in full will be funded
from IFX Payments' existing cash resources. IFX Payments' cash position is
being supported on an ongoing basis by its ultimate beneficial owner via
injections of capital.
Strand Hanson, in its capacity as financial adviser to IFX Payments, is
satisfied that sufficient resources are available to IFX Payments to satisfy
in full the Consideration payable to Argentex Shareholders pursuant to the
terms of the Acquisition.
Further information on the financing of the Acquisition will be set out in the
Scheme Document.
12. Offer-related Arrangements
12.1 Confidentiality Agreement
IFX Payments and Argentex have entered into a confidentiality agreement dated
20 April 2025 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), pursuant to which each party
has undertaken, amongst other things, to: (i) keep confidential certain
information relating to the proposed Acquisition and not to disclose it to
third parties (other than certain permitted parties) unless required, amongst
other things, by law or regulation; and (ii) use the confidential information
only for certain permitted purposes, including the evaluation, negotiation,
implementation of the Acquisition. These confidentiality obligations will
remain in force until the earlier of: (i) 24 months from the date of the
Confidentiality Agreement; and (ii) completion of the Acquisition.
12.2 Co-operation Agreement
IFX Payments and Argentex have entered into a co-operation agreement dated 25
April 2025 (the "Co-operation Agreement"), pursuant to which IFX Payments and
Argentex have, amongst other things, agreed to cooperate in relation to
obtaining any approvals, consents, clearances, permissions, confirmations,
comfort letters and waivers as may be necessary, and the making of all filings
as may be necessary, from or under the law, regulations or practices applied
by any applicable regulatory authority in connection with the Acquisition
(including the FCA, the Dutch Central Bank, and DFSA). In addition, IFX
Payments has agreed to provide Argentex with certain information for the
purposes of the Scheme Document and to otherwise provide assistance which may
reasonably be required with the preparation of the Scheme Document. The
Co-operation Agreement also includes provisions relating to the right of IFX
Payments to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer and provisions that
will apply in respect of the Argentex Share Plans.
The Co-operation Agreement will be terminated in certain circumstances
including, amongst other things: (i) upon written notice served by IFX
Payments if: (a) the Argentex Directors recommend a competing proposal; (b) if
the Argentex Directors' recommendation in relation to the Acquisition is
withdrawn, qualified or modified; (c) a competing offer completes, becomes
effective or becomes, or is declared, unconditional in all respects; (d)
certain milestones in connection with the Scheme are not achieved in
accordance with agreed timeframes; and/or (e) the Scheme and/or the
Resolutions are not approved at the Meetings and/or the Court refuses to
sanction the Scheme or grant the Scheme Court Order at the Court Sanction
Hearing; (ii) upon written notice served by either party where, prior to or on
the Long Stop Date: (a) any Condition which has not been waived is (or has
become) incapable of satisfaction by the Long Stop Date and, notwithstanding
that it has the right to waive such Condition, IFX Payments has confirmed in
writing that it will not do so, and/or (b) any Condition which is incapable of
waiver has become incapable of satisfaction by the Long Stop Date, in each
case in circumstances where the invocation of the relevant Condition (or
confirmation that the Condition is incapable of satisfaction, as appropriate)
is permitted by the Panel; (iii) if the Acquisition (whether implemented by
way of the Scheme or the Offer) is withdrawn, terminates or lapses in
accordance with its terms and (where required) with the permission of the
Panel save in certain situations relating to the announcement of a revised
offer or where IFX Payments has elected to exercise its right to implement the
Acquisition by way of an Offer; (iv) if IFX Payments and Argentex agree in
writing; (v) on the Effective Date; or (vii) if the Effective Date has not
occurred by the Long Stop Date.
12.3 Bridge Loan Facility Agreement
On 24 April 2025 (the "Signing Date"), IFX Payments, as original lender, agent
and security agent ("Lender"), Argentex (as the borrower and guarantor) and
Argentex LLP and Argentex Technologies Limited (as guarantors) entered into
the Bridge Loan Facility Agreement. Pursuant to the Bridge Loan Facility
Agreement, the Lender has made available to Argentex a total loan facility of
up to £6,500,000 (the "Bridge Finance Facility"). The Bridge Finance Facility
is been made available to fund working capital and general corporate purposes
including the entry into options and/or other derivatives contracts that hedge
potential exposure that the Argentex Group has across currencies, and to be
retained as cash to enable Argentex to meet its regulatory obligations and to
pay operating costs projected to fall due following the date of the Bridge
Loan Facility Agreement, strictly in accordance with an operating cashflow to
be agreed between the parties therein. The Bridge Loan Facility Agreement will
terminate on the date falling 3 months after the Signing Date (which can be
extended to 6 months at the discretion of the Lender). Interest will accrue at
the rate of 15 per cent. per annum on the loan (with an additional 5 per cent.
per annum on any overdue amounts).
. The Bridge Loan Facility Agreement includes customary representations and
undertakings and financial information rights. In particular, Argentex is
required to provide 13 week cashflow forecasts on a weekly basis.
In connection with the Bridge Loan Facility Agreement, Argentex, Argentex LLP,
and Argentex Technologies Limited (as chargors) have granted security over
their assets and undertakings including but not limited to shares, movable
assets, intellectual property, real property, accounts and receivables.
13. Disclosure of Interests in Argentex
As at close of business on the Latest Practicable Date neither IFX Payments,
nor any of its directors, nor, so far as IFX Payments is aware, any person
acting in concert (within the meaning of the Takeover Code) with IFX Payments
has:
(a) any interest in, or right to subscribe for, any relevant
securities of Argentex;
(b) any short positions in respect of relevant securities of
Argentex (whether conditional or absolute and whether in the money or
otherwise), including any short position under a derivative, any agreement to
sell or any delivery obligation or right to require another person to purchase
or take delivery;
(c) any dealing arrangement of the kind referred to in Note 11
on the definition of acting in concert in the Takeover Code in relation to
Argentex Shares or in relation to any securities convertible or exchangeable
into Argentex Shares; nor
(d) borrowed or lent any relevant securities of Argentex or
entered into any financial collateral arrangements relating to such
securities.
'Interests in securities' for these purposes arise, in summary, when a person
has long economic exposure, whether absolute or conditional, to changes in the
price of securities (and a person who only has a short position in securities
is not treated as interested in those securities). In particular, a person
will be treated as having an 'interest' by virtue of the ownership, voting
rights or control of securities, or by virtue of any agreement to purchase,
option in respect of, or derivative referenced to securities.
14. IFX Payments' intentions with regard to Argentex's directors, employees, management, pensions, research and development, assets and locations
14.1 Strategic plans for Argentex
As set out in paragraph 5 of this announcement, the IFX Payments Directors are
confident in Argentex's business potential and see a compelling opportunity to
enhance its value through the integration of Argentex into IFX Payments'
existing operations. The Combined Group will form a significantly enlarged
entity with a strong presence across UK, Europe, the Middle East and
Australia, focused on serving corporate and institutional clients. The IFX
Payments Directors believe that the Combined Group's offering comprising of
its advanced technology platform, increased geographical reach, robust banking
relationships, comprehensive product suite, and experienced management team
will be well positioned to capitalise on the market opportunity within the
global payments and currency risk management solutions sectors.
The integration of IFX Payments and Argentex, supported by the Combined
Group's stronger financial position, will provide a platform for growth across
each business's performance, whilst also delivering synergies through the
amalgamation of the businesses into the Combined Group.
Following completion of the Acquisition, IFX Payments intends to assess the
longer term utilisation of both the IFX Payments and Argentex brands and may
seek to commence implementing a consolidation across the brands. IFX Payments
intends to maintain all of the Combined Group's regulatory licences to ensure
full coverage of both businesses' operating geographies, with consolidation
explored where there is duplication or overlap.
IFX Payments sees potential in combining the technology platforms of Argentex
and the Company to streamline the Combined Group's offering to customers and
support the growth ambitions of the Combined Group.
The IFX Payments Directors intend that the Company will, following the
Effective Date, carry out a review (the "Post Completion Review") of the
operations of Argentex, which is expected to be completed within six months
following completion of the Acquisition. The Post Completion Review will focus
on (i) gaining a more detailed understanding of Argentex's overall operations,
including an evaluation of the skillsets of Argentex's employees across all
regions; (ii) assessing the scope of Argentex's operations to determine the
potential for integration within the Combined Group; and (iii) identifying any
duplicative roles across IFX Payments' and Argentex's respective businesses
with regard to corporate and head office roles, in particular those related to
Argentex's status as an AIM-quoted company, as well as administrative and
sales functions.
Subject to the Post Completion Review, IFX Payments envisages that
efficiencies gained from Argentex transitioning to a private company and
enhanced alignment of corporate costs are expected to result in annual cost
savings. Such synergies are expected to maximise the Combined Group's
resources available to deliver on its growth strategy and enhance its ability
to execute on further consolidation opportunities within the sector.
14.2 Directors, management and employees
IFX Payments attaches great importance to the skills and experience of
Argentex's employees and management team, and intends to retain the majority
of such employees. It is intended that, with effect from completion of the
Acquisition, each of Argentex's non-executive directors, including its
Chairman, will resign from the Argentex Board, as is customary for a
transaction of this nature, and receive compensation in line with the
termination provisions of their respective service contracts and letters of
appointment. IFX Payments intends to retain Argentex's executive directors and
other members of the senior management team, and their performance will be
considered as part of the Post Completion Review.
IFX Payments looks forward to Argentex's employees contributing to the
Combined Group whilst benefiting from enhanced opportunities and resources,
and it is anticipated that the management teams of both IFX Payments and
Argentex will work closely together to ensure the smooth integration of the
two businesses and to identify the most appropriate senior management
functions for the Combined Group, as appropriate.
However, it is expected that the functions related to Argentex's status as a
publicly quoted company would be materially reduced, which will be assessed as
part of the Post Completion Review. This is expected to impact a limited
number of roles in specific administrative areas. IFX Payments does not intend
to make material changes to Argentex's total headcount.
Save as indicated above, IFX Payments has no intention to make any material
change to the conditions of employment of Argentex employees or in the balance
of the skills and functions of the employees and management of Argentex.
IFX Payments will fully safeguard the existing contractual and statutory
employment rights, including pension rights, of Argentex's employees in
accordance with applicable law upon completion of the Acquisition.
14.3 Management incentivisation arrangements
Following completion of the Acquisition, IFX Payments intends to review
Argentex's remuneration and incentivisation arrangements, with a view to
achieving an appropriate alignment for rewarding management and employee
performance across the Combined Group.
IFX Payments has not entered into any form of incentivisation arrangement with
any member of Argentex's management or with any Argentex employee, nor has it
had discussions on the terms of any such incentivisation arrangement. IFX
Payments does not intend to enter into such discussions prior to the
completion of the Acquisition.
14.4 Pension schemes
Following completion of the Acquisition, IFX Payments intends to review
Argentex's pension arrangements and may seek to integrate such arrangements
with the Company's existing pension policies; however, the existing
contractual and statutory rights of members of Argentex's defined contribution
pension schemes will be fully safeguarded in accordance with applicable law.
14.5 Locations, headquarters, fixed assets and research and development
Following completion of the Acquisition, IFX Payments intends to retain
offices in all of the locations where Argentex operates, including its
existing head office in London, UK, however, it may seek to integrate offices
with IFX Payments' existing offices, or new offices as appropriate, where the
Combined Group has two offices in the same location.
Argentex does not have a dedicated research and development function and IFX
Payments has no intentions to make any changes in this regard.
IFX Payments does not anticipate that there will be any material redeployment
of Argentex's fixed asset base.
14.6 Cancellation of trading and re-registration
Argentex Shares are currently admitted to trading on AIM, and, as set out in
paragraph 18 below, it is intended that application will be made to the London
Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the admission to trading of the
Argentex Shares on AIM to become effective as soon as practicable after the
Effective Date.
It is expected that the last day of dealings in Argentex Shares on AIM will be
the last Business Day prior to the Effective Date and no transfers will be
registered after 6.00 p.m. (London time) on that date.
It is also intended that, following the Effective Date and Cancellation,
Argentex will be re-registered as a private company.
On the Effective Date, all of the Argentex Shares will become owned by IFX
Payments and any share certificates in respect of such Argentex Shares will
cease to be valid and of any value and should therefore be destroyed. In
addition, entitlements to Argentex Shares held within the CREST system will be
cancelled.
14.7 Post-offer undertakings
None of the statements in this paragraph 14 are "post-offer undertakings" for
the purposes of Rule 19.5 of the Takeover Code.
15. Comparable Offer Management Shares
Argentex has 23,589,212 management shares with a nominal value of £0.0025
each ("Management Shares"), which are non-voting and are of negligible value.
The Panel has agreed that these are not equity securities under the Takeover
Code and therefore a comparable offer does not need to be made for the
management shares under Rule 14 of the Takeover Code.
16. Argentex Share Plans
Participants in the Argentex Share Plans will be contacted regarding the
effect of the Acquisition on their rights under the Argentex Share Plans and,
where required, appropriate proposals will be made to such participants in
accordance with Rule 15 of the Takeover Code in due course. Details of the
treatment of rights under the Argentex Share Plans and any proposals that are
required to be made under Rule 15 of the Takeover Code will be set out in the
Scheme Document and in separate letters to be sent to participants in the
Argentex Share Plans.
17. The Scheme
It is intended that the Acquisition will be effected by means of the Scheme
between Argentex and the Scheme Shareholders (although IFX Payments reserves
the right to implement the Acquisition by way of the Offer, with the consent
of the Panel and subject to the terms of the Co-operation Agreement).
The purpose of the Scheme is to provide for IFX Payments to become the owner
of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Argentex. This is to be
achieved by the transfer of the Scheme Shares to IFX Payments, in
consideration for which the Scheme Shareholders shall receive the
consideration pursuant to the Consideration due on the basis set out in
paragraph 2 of this announcement, to be effected pursuant to the Scheme.
To become Effective, the Scheme must be approved at the Court Meeting by a
majority in number of the Scheme Shareholders present and voting (and entitled
to vote) at such Court Meeting (or the relevant class or classes thereof, if
applicable) who are on the register of members of Argentex at the Scheme
Voting Record Time, whether in person or by proxy, representing at least 75
per cent. of the votes attached to the Scheme Shares cast by those Scheme
Shareholders (or the relevant class or classes thereof, if applicable). The
Scheme also requires the passing at the General Meeting of the Resolutions.
The General Meeting is expected to be held immediately after the Court
Meeting. Following the Meetings and the satisfaction or waiver of the
Conditions, the Scheme must be sanctioned by the Court. Finally, a copy of the
Scheme Court Order must be delivered to the Registrar of Companies for
registration, upon which the Scheme will become Effective.
The Scheme will also be subject to the other Conditions and further terms set
out in Appendix 1 to this announcement and to the full terms and conditions to
be set out in the Scheme Document.
IFX Payments considers Conditions 3(a), 3(f), 3(g) and the Insolvency
Condition (the "Invocable Conditions") to be of material significance to it in
the context of the Acquisition. If Invocable Conditions are not satisfied, IFX
Payments would be in breach of applicable law and regulations of the UK, DIFC
and the Netherlands (respectively), which carry potential regulatory and
criminal law consequences. Accordingly, Argentex Shareholders should be aware
that IFX Payments may seek to invoke one or more of the Invocable Conditions
if such Invocable Condition is not satisfied in accordance with its terms as
at the relevant date. IFX Payments has agreed to use all reasonable endeavours
to implement the Acquisition. Argentex has further agreed with IFX Payments
under the terms of the Co-operation Agreement to provide all assistance as may
reasonably be necessary or required to obtain each Clearance (as defined in
the Co-operation Agreement), including in connection with the Invocable
Conditions.
The Scheme Document will include full details of the Scheme, together with the
notices convening the Court Meeting and the General Meeting. The Scheme
Document will also contain the expected timetable for the Acquisition, and
will specify the necessary actions to be taken by Argentex Shareholders.
Subject to restrictions in respect of Restricted Jurisdictions, the Scheme
Document will be sent to Argentex Shareholders and, for information only, to
persons with information rights and participants in the Argentex Share Plans,
as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event (save with the consent of
the Panel), within 28 days of this announcement.
The Scheme is expected to become Effective during the second half of the
calendar year 2025, subject to the satisfaction or (where applicable) waiver
of the Conditions. If the Scheme does not become Effective on or before the
Long Stop Date, it will lapse and the Acquisition will not proceed (unless IFX
Payments and Argentex otherwise agree and the Panel otherwise consents).
As set out in further detail in the Condition in paragraph 2 of Appendix 1,
the Scheme will also lapse if, amongst other things, any of the Court Meeting,
the General Meeting and/or the Court Sanction Hearing is not held on or before
the 22nd day after the expected date of such meetings to be set out in the
Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be: (A) agreed
between IFX Payments and Argentex; or (B) (in a competitive situation)
specified by IFX Payments with the consent of the Panel, and in either case
(if required) as the Court may allow).
Upon the Scheme becoming Effective: (i) it will be binding on all Argentex
Shareholders, irrespective of whether or not they attended or voted at the
Meetings (and if they attended and voted, whether or not they voted in
favour); and (ii) share certificates in respect of Argentex Shares will cease
to be valid and entitlements to Argentex Shares held within the CREST system
will be cancelled. The consideration for the Acquisition pursuant to the
Consideration will be despatched to Argentex Shareholders no later than 14
days after the Effective Date.
Any Argentex Shares issued before the Scheme Record Time which remain in issue
at the Scheme Record Time will be subject to the terms of the Scheme. The
Resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting will, amongst other things,
provide that Argentex's articles of association be amended to incorporate
provisions requiring, among other things and subject to the Scheme becoming
Effective, any Argentex Shares issued or transferred after the Scheme Record
Time (other than to IFX Payments and/or its nominees) to be automatically
transferred to IFX Payments (or as IFX Payments may direct) on the same terms
as the Acquisition (other than terms as to timings and formalities). The
provisions of Argentex's articles of association (as amended) will avoid any
person (other than IFX Payments, its nominees and any person to whom IFX
Payments may direct the transfer of Argentex Shares after the Effective Date)
holding and retaining Argentex Shares after the Effective Date.
IFX Payments reserves the right to elect to implement the Acquisition by way
of an Offer as an alternative to the Scheme (subject to the Panel's consent
and the terms of the Co-operation Agreement). In such event, the Acquisition
will be implemented on substantially the same terms, so far as applicable, as
those which would apply to the Scheme, subject to appropriate amendments to
reflect, among other things, the change in method of effecting the Acquisition
(including, without limitation: (i) the inclusion of an acceptance condition
set at 90 per cent. of the Argentex Shares to which such Offer relates (or
such other percentage as IFX Payments may, subject to the rules of the
Takeover Code and the terms of the Co-operation Agreement and with the consent
of the Panel, decide); and (ii) those required by, or deemed appropriate by,
IFX Payments under applicable law, including US securities law). Further, if
sufficient acceptances of such Offer are received and/or sufficient Argentex
Shares are otherwise acquired, it is the intention of IFX Payments to apply
the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 to acquire compulsorily any
outstanding Argentex Shares to which such offer relates.
The Scheme will be governed by English law and will be subject to the
jurisdiction of the Court. The Scheme will be subject to the applicable
requirements of the Takeover Code, the Panel, the London Stock Exchange, the
FCA, AIM Rules and the Registrar of Companies.
18. Cancellation of trading and re-registration
Argentex Shares are currently admitted to trading on AIM. It is intended that
a request will be made to the London Stock Exchange to cancel trading in
Argentex Shares on AIM, and to re-register it as a private limited company, to
take effect shortly after the Effective Date.
It is expected that the last day of dealings in Argentex Shares on AIM will be
the date of the Court Sanction Hearing and that no transfers will be
registered after 6.00 p.m. (London time) on that date.
On the Effective Date, any share certificates held by Argentex Shareholders in
respect of Argentex Shares shall cease to be valid and should be destroyed.
19. Consents
Each of Strand Hanson and Singer Capital Markets have given and not withdrawn
its consent to the publication of this announcement with the inclusion herein
of the references to its name in the form and context in which such references
appear.
20. Documents available for inspection
Copies of the following documents will by no later than 12 noon on 28 April
2025 be published on IFX Payments' website at www.
ifxpayments.com/argentex.com and Argentex's website at www.argentex.com until
the end of the offer:
(a) this announcement;
(b) the Confidentiality Agreement;
(c) the Co-operation Agreement;
(d) the documents relating to the debt financing of the
Acquisition referred to in paragraph 11 above, including the Bridge Loan
Facility Agreement;
(e) the irrevocable undertakings listed in Appendix 3 to this
announcement; and
(f) the consent letters from each of the financial advisers
referred to in paragraph 19 above.
The contents of the websites referred to in this announcement are not
incorporated into and do not form part of this announcement.
21. General
The Acquisition will be made on the terms and subject to the Conditions set
out in Appendix 1 to this announcement, and to the full terms and conditions
to be set out in the Scheme Document. The formal Scheme Document comprising
the Consideration will be sent to Argentex Shareholders within 28 days of this
announcement (or on such later date as may be agreed between IFX Payments and
Argentex with the consent of the Panel). The sources and bases of calculation
of certain information contained in this announcement are set out in Appendix
2 to this announcement. Details of irrevocable undertakings received by IFX
Payments are set out in Appendix 3 to this announcement. Certain terms used in
this announcement are defined in Appendix 4 to this announcement.
Enquiries:
IFX Payments c/o Strand Hanson
Strand Hanson Limited (Financial Adviser to IFX Payments) +44 (0) 20 7409 3494
James Dance
Rob Patrick
Imogen Ellis
Harry Marshall
Argentex Group plc c/o Teneo Financial Advisory Limited
Tim Rudman - Interim Chief Executive Officer
Guy Rudolph - Chief Financial Officer
Singer Capital Markets Advisory LLP (Financial Adviser to Argentex) +44 (0) 20 7496 3000
James Maxwell
Tom Salvesen
Phil Davies
Asha Chotai
James Todd
Teneo Financial Advisory Limited (Capital Market Communications Ltd) +44 (0) 20 7260 2700
(Financial PR Adviser to Argentex)
James Macey-White
Victoria Boxall
Riann Cato
Bird & Bird LLP is acting as legal adviser to IFX Payments. Gowling WLG is
acting as legal adviser to Argentex.
Inside Information
This announcement contains inside information as defined in the Market Abuse
Regulation. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory
Information Service, such inside information will be considered to be in the
public domain.
Important notices relating to financial advisers and nominated adviser
Strand Hanson Limited ("Strand Hanson"), which is authorised and regulated by
the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively
for IFX Payments and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and
will not regard any other person as its client in relation to the Acquisition
and will not be responsible to anyone other than IFX Payments for providing
the protections afforded to clients of Strand Hanson, nor for providing advice
in relation to any matter referred to in this announcement.
Singer Capital Markets Advisory LLP ("Singer Capital Markets"), which is
authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct
Authority, is acting as nominated adviser to Argentex for the purposes of the
AIM Rules and no-one else in connection with the matters set out in this
announcement and will not regard any other person as its client in relation to
the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to
anyone other than Argentex for providing the protections afforded to clients
of Singer Capital Markets, nor for providing advice in relation to the
contents of this announcement or any other matter referred to in this
announcement. Singer Capital Markets' responsibilities as Argentex's nominated
adviser under the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers are owed solely to the
London Stock Exchange and are not owed to Argentex or to any Argentex Director
or to any other person.
Further information
This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to, and
does not, constitute or form part of any offer or inducement to sell or an
invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise
dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities, any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the
Acquisition or otherwise. The Acquisition will be made and implemented solely
pursuant to the terms of the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is
implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer Document), which will contain the
full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of what action
is required from Argentex Shareholders in respect of the Acquisition. Any
decision in respect of, or other response to, the Acquisition should be made
only on the basis of the information in the Scheme Document (or, if the
Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer Document).
Argentex and IFX Payments shall prepare the Scheme Document (or, if the
Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer Document) to be
distributed to Argentex Shareholders. Argentex and IFX Payments urge Argentex
Shareholders to read the Scheme Document (or, if the Acquisition is
implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer Document) in its entirety when it
becomes available because it will contain important information relating to
the Acquisition.
This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent
document.
IFX Payments reserves the right to elect to implement the Acquisition by way
of an Offer as an alternative to the Scheme (subject to the Panel's consent
and the terms of the Co-operation Agreement). In such event, the Acquisition
will be implemented on substantially the same terms, so far as applicable, as
those which will apply to the Scheme, subject to appropriate amendments to
reflect, among other things, the change in method of effecting the Acquisition
(including, without limitation: (i) the inclusion of an acceptance condition
set at 90 per cent. of the Argentex Shares to which such Offer relates (or
such other percentage as IFX Payments may, subject to the rules of the
Takeover Code and the terms of the Co-operation Agreement and with the consent
of the Panel, decide); and (ii) those required by, or deemed appropriate by,
IFX Payments under applicable law, including US securities law). Further, if
sufficient acceptances of such Offer are received and/or sufficient Argentex
Shares are otherwise acquired, it is the intention of IFX Payments to apply
the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 to acquire compulsorily any
outstanding Argentex Shares to which such offer relates.
Overseas Shareholders
This announcement has been prepared in accordance with and for the purpose of
complying with the laws of England and Wales, the Takeover Code, the Market
Abuse Regulation, the AIM Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency
Rules and information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have
been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the
laws of jurisdictions outside England.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into
jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and
therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other
than the United Kingdom should inform themselves of, and observe, any
applicable requirements of their jurisdictions.
The availability of the Acquisition to Argentex Shareholders who are not
resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of
the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of which they are
citizens. Persons who are not resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom
should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory
requirements of their jurisdictions. In particular, the ability of persons who
are not resident in and citizens of the United Kingdom to vote their Argentex
Shares with respect to the Scheme at the Court Meeting, or to execute and
deliver forms of proxy appointing another person to vote at the Court Meeting
on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in
which they are located. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions
may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons
involved in the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the
violation of such restrictions by any person.
Unless otherwise determined by IFX Payments or required by the Takeover Code,
and permitted by applicable law and regulation, participation in the
Acquisition will not be made available, directly or indirectly, in, into or
from a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in that
jurisdiction and no person may vote in favour of the Acquisition by any such
use, means, instrumentality or from within a Restricted Jurisdiction or any
other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of
that jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and any formal
documentation relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be,
directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in,
into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction and persons receiving this
announcement and all such documents relating to the Acquisition (including
custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward,
distribute or send them in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so
may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of the Acquisition.
If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer (unless otherwise
permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Offer may not be made
directly or indirectly, in or into, or by the use of mails or any means or
instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other
electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce
of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of
any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer shall not be capable of acceptance
by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities.
Further details in relation to Overseas Shareholders will be contained in the
Scheme Document.
Notice to US investors in Argentex
Argentex Shareholders in the United States should note that the Acquisition
relates to the shares of an English company with a quotation on AIM and is
proposed to be made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under,
and governed by, the laws of England and Wales.
Neither the proxy solicitation nor the tender offer rules under the US
Exchange Act will apply to the Scheme. Moreover, the Scheme will be subject to
the disclosure and procedural requirements and practices applicable in the
United Kingdom to schemes of arrangement, which differ from the disclosure
requirements of US tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. If, in the
future, IFX Payments exercises the right to implement the Acquisition by way
of an Offer and determines to extend the offer into the United States, the
Acquisition will be made in compliance with applicable United States laws and
regulations, including any applicable exemptions under the US Exchange Act.
Such an Offer would be made in the United States by IFX Payments and no one
else. In accordance with normal United Kingdom practice and consistent with
Rule 14e-5 under the US Exchange Act, IFX Payments, certain affiliated
companies and the nominees or brokers (acting as agents) may make certain
purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, shares in Argentex outside such
Offer during the period in which such Offer would remain open for acceptance.
If such purchases or arrangements to purchase were to be made they would be
made outside the US either in the open market at prevailing prices or in
private transactions at negotiated prices and would comply with applicable
law, including, to the extent applicable, the US Exchange Act. Any information
about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the United Kingdom, will
be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the
London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com
(http://www.londonstockexchange.com/) .
The financial information included in this announcement and the Scheme
Document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer
Document) has been or will have been prepared in accordance with accounting
standards applicable in the United Kingdom and thus may not be comparable to
the financial information of US companies or companies whose financial
statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States.
The receipt of consideration by a US holder for the transfer of its Argentex
Shares pursuant to the Acquisition may be a taxable transaction for US federal
income tax purposes and under applicable US state and local, as well as non-US
and other, tax laws. Each Argentex Shareholder is urged to consult their
independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of
the Acquisition applicable to them, including under applicable US federal,
state and local, as well as non-US and other, tax laws.
It may be difficult for US holders of Argentex Shares to enforce their rights
and any claim arising out of the US federal laws or to enforce against them a
judgment of a US court predicated upon the securities laws of the United
Kingdom, since IFX Payments and Argentex are incorporated in a non-US
jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents
of countries other than the United States. US holders of Argentex Shares may
not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or directors in a non-US
court for violations of the US securities laws. Further, it may be difficult
to compel a non-US company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a US
court's jurisdiction or judgement.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
This announcement (including information incorporated by reference in this
announcement), oral statements made regarding the Acquisition, and other
information published by IFX Payments and Argentex contain certain statements
which are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements".
Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on
historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the
management of IFX Payments and/or Argentex (as the case may be) about future
events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause
actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or
implied by the forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do
not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements
often use words such as "anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate",
"intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "hope", "aims", "continue", "will",
"may", "should", "would", "could", or other words of similar meaning or
derivatives thereof. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments
made by Argentex and/or IFX Payments in light of their experience and their
perception of historical trends, current conditions, future developments and
other factors they believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risk and uncertainty, because they relate
to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and the
factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this
announcement could cause actual results, performance or developments to differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those described in the forward-looking statements, include, but are not
limited to: the ability to complete the Acquisition, the ability to obtain
requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other
Conditions on the proposed terms, changes in the global, political, economic,
business or competitive environments and in market and regulatory forces,
changes in financial regulatory matters, changes in future exchange and
interest rates, changes in tax rates and future business combinations or
dispositions.
Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such
expectations will prove to have been correct and you are therefore cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak
only as at the date of this announcement. Neither Argentex nor IFX Payments
assumes any obligation to update or correct the information contained in this
announcement (whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise), except as required by applicable law.
Dealing and opening position disclosure requirements
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Takeover Code, any person who is interested in 1 per
cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of
any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in
respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be,
solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the
commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in
which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position
Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests and short positions
in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the
offeree company; and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening
Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no
later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the
commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30
p.m. (London time) on the 10th business day following the announcement in
which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons
who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities
exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position
Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Takeover Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the
offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing
Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must
contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person's interests and
short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of
each of (i) the offeree company; and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s),
save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under
Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be
made by no later than 3.30 p.m. (London time) on the business day following
the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding,
whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant
securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will
be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by
any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company,
by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see
Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant
securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made
can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel's website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk (http://www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk/) , including
details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period
commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the
Panel's Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any
doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or
a Dealing Disclosure.
Publication on a website
In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this announcement
and other documents required to be published under Rule 26 of the Takeover
Code will be made available, subject to certain restrictions relating to
persons resident in Restricted Jurisdictions, on Argentex's website at
www.argentex.com and IFX Payments' website at www.ifxpayments.com/argentex.com
no later than 12 noon (London time) on the first Business Day following the
date of this announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the contents of
these websites nor any website accessible from hyperlinks is incorporated into
or forms part of this announcement.
No profit forecasts, profit estimates or quantified benefits statements
No statement in this announcement is intended to constitute a profit forecast,
profit estimate or quantified benefits statement for any period and no
statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that the earnings
or future earnings per share of, or dividends or future dividends per share
of, Argentex for the current or future financial years will necessarily match
or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share or dividends
per share of Argentex.
Requesting hard copy documents
In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Takeover Code, Argentex Shareholders and
persons with information rights and participants in Argentex Share Plans may
request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting Argentex's registrars,
Computershare Investor Services PLC, by writing to them at The Pavilions,
Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZZ or by calling them on +44 (0)370 703 6003
during business hours (9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday
excluding public holidays in England and Wales). Calls are charged at the
standard geographical rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United
Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Please note that
Computershare cannot provide any financial, legal or tax advice and calls may
be recorded and monitored for security and training purposes. For persons who
receive a copy of this announcement in electronic form or via a website
notification, a hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so
requested. Such persons may also request that all future documents,
announcements and information to be sent to them in relation to the
Acquisition should be in hard copy form.
Electronic communications
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other
information provided by Argentex Shareholders, persons with information rights
and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Argentex may
be provided to IFX Payments during the Offer Period as required under Section
4 of Appendix 4 of the Takeover Code to comply with Rule 2.11(c).
Rounding
Certain figures included in this announcement have been subjected to rounding
adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for the same category presented in
different tables may vary slightly and figures shown as totals in certain
tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.
General
If the Acquisition is effected by way of an Offer, and such an Offer becomes
or is declared unconditional in all respects and sufficient acceptances are
received, IFX Payments intends to exercise its rights to apply the provisions
of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act 2006 so as to acquire
compulsorily the remaining Argentex Shares in respect of which the Offer has
not been accepted.
Investors should be aware that IFX Payments may purchase Argentex Shares
otherwise than under any Offer or the Scheme, including pursuant to privately
negotiated purchases.
If you are in any doubt about the contents of this announcement or the action
you should take, you are recommended to seek your own independent financial
advice immediately from your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor or
independent financial adviser duly authorised under FSMA if you are resident
in the United Kingdom or, if not, from another appropriate authorised
independent financial adviser.
Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code
For the purposes of Rule 2.9 of the Takeover Code, Argentex confirms that, as
at 24 April 2025 (being the last Business Day prior to this announcement), it
had in issue and admitted to trading on AIM 120,429,055 ordinary shares of
£0.0001 each and 23,589,212 Management Shares (excluding shares held in
treasury). The ISIN for the ordinary shares is GB00BJLPH056.
Appendix 1
Conditions to and Certain Further Terms of the
Acquisition
Part A
Conditions to the Scheme and Acquisition
Long Stop Date
The Acquisition is conditional upon the Scheme becoming
unconditional and becoming Effective, subject to the provisions of the
Takeover Code, by no later than 11.59 p.m. on the Long Stop Date or such later
date (if any) as IFX Payments and Argentex may, with the consent of the Panel,
agree and (if required) the Court may allow.
Scheme approval
The Scheme will be conditional upon:
(a) (i) its approval by a majority in number representing not
less than 75 per cent. in value of the Scheme Shareholders who are on the
register of members of Argentex (or the relevant class or classes thereof, if
applicable) at the Scheme Voting Record Time, present and voting (and entitled
to vote), either in person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting and at any
separate class meeting(s) which may be required by the Court or at any
adjournment of any such meeting; and (ii) such Court Meeting and any separate
class meeting(s) which may be required by the Court being held on or before
the 22nd day after the expected date of the Court Meeting to be set out in the
Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be: (A) agreed
between IFX Payments and Argentex; or (B) (in a competitive situation)
specified by IFX Payments with the consent of the Panel, and in either case
(if required) as the Court may allow);
(b) (i) the Resolutions being duly passed by the requisite
majority or majorities of Argentex Shareholders at the General Meeting (or any
adjournment thereof); and (ii) such General Meeting being held on or before
the 22nd day after the expected date of the General Meeting to be set out in
the Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be: (A) agreed
between IFX Payments and Argentex; or (B) (in a competitive situation)
specified by IFX Payments with the consent of the Panel, and in either case
(if required) as the Court may allow); and
(c) (i) the sanction of the Scheme by the Court with or without
modification (but subject to any such modification being acceptable to IFX
Payments and Argentex); and (ii) the Court Sanction Hearing being held on or
before the 22nd day after the expected date of the Court Sanction Hearing to
be set out in the Scheme Document in due course (or such later date as may be:
(A) agreed between IFX Payments and Argentex; or (B) (in a competitive
situation) specified by IFX Payments with the consent of the Panel, and in
either case (if required) as the Court may allow); and (iii) the delivery of a
copy of the Scheme Court Order to the Registrar of Companies for registration.
General Conditions
In addition, subject as stated in Part B of this
Appendix 1, IFX Payments and Argentex have agreed that the Acquisition will be
conditional upon the following Conditions and, accordingly, the necessary
actions to make the Scheme Effective will not be taken unless such Conditions
(as amended if appropriate) have been satisfied or, where relevant, waived:
FCA Condition
(a) in respect of IFX Payments and each person who will acquire
control or (if applicable) increase control (as defined in sections 181 and
182 of FSMA) over any member of the Argentex Group which is a UK authorised
person (as defined in section 191G(1) of FSMA) (a "UK Authorised Person") or
any UK Authorised Person which is controlled (as defined in sections 181 and
182 of FSMA) by any member of the Argentex Group, as a result of the
Acquisition, the FCA:
(i) having given notice for the purpose of section 189(4)(a)
of FSMA that it has determined to approve the acquisition of, or increase in
control over, each such UK Authorised Person;
(ii) having given notice for the purpose of section 189(7) of
FSMA that it has determined to approve such acquisition of or increase in
control subject to conditions, with such conditions being on terms
satisfactory to IFX Payments (acting reasonably); or
(iii) being treated, by virtue of section 189(6) of FSMA, as
having approved such acquisition of or increase in control,
where references to FSMA are read, where applicable, together with the
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Controllers) (Exemptions) Order 2009;
UK CMA
(b) one of the following having occurred:
(i) as at the date of which all other Conditions are satisfied
or waived in relation to the Acquisition, the CMA not having:
(1) requested submission of a merger notice;
(2) notified either party that it intends, or is considering
whether, to commence a Phase I investigation;
(3) indicated that the statutory review period in which the CMA
has to decide whether to make a reference under section 34ZA Enterprise Act
2002 has begun; nor
(4) requested documents, information or attendance by witnesses
(including under section 109 of the Enterprise Act 2002) which may indicate
that it intends to commence the aforementioned statutory review period in
respect of the Acquisition; or
(ii) where the CMA has commenced an investigation, the CMA;
(1) announcing that it has decided not to refer the Acquisition or
any matter arising therefrom or related thereto or any part of it to a
reference under Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (a "Referral"); or
(2) in accordance with section 73(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002,
formally accepting undertakings in lieu of a Referral;
(c)
(i) if and to the extent that any or all of Condition 3(a) is
waived or is not invoked by IFX Payments, clearance in connection with any
Referral having been obtained; and
(ii) any other authorisation, order, grant, recognition,
determination, confirmation, consent, licence, clearance, permission,
exemption or approval deemed necessary or advisable by IFX Payments (acting
reasonably and in good faith and on the advice of legal counsel and following
consultation between IFX Payments and Argentex) for or in respect of the Offer
(including, without limitation, its implementation and financing or the
proposed direct or indirect acquisition of any shares or other securities in,
or control of, Argentex or any member of the Argentex Group by IFX Payments)
having been obtained,
in each case in terms and in a form and subject to conditions that are
satisfactory to IFX Payments (acting reasonably) and all such clearances
remaining in full force and effect and all filings necessary for such purpose
having been made and there being no notice of any intention to revoke or not
to renew any of the same at the Scheme becoming Effective (or, if the
Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, the Offer becoming
unconditional as to acceptances);
National security
(d) if a notification is required to be made or deemed advisable
by IFX Payments (acting reasonably and in good faith and on the advice of
legal counsel and following consultation between IFX Payments and Argentex)
and is accepted under the NS&I Act, one of the following having occurred:
(i) the Secretary of State confirming before the end of the
review period that no further action will be taken in relation to the
Acquisition;
(ii) if the Secretary of State issues a call-in notice in
relation to the Acquisition, the parties receiving a final notification
pursuant to section 26(1)(b) of the NS&I Act containing confirmation that
the Secretary of State will take no further action in relation to the call-in
notice and the Acquisition under the NS&I Act; or
(iii) the Secretary of State making a final order pursuant to
section 26(1)(a) of the NS&I Act in relation to the Acquisition, save to
the extent that such an order prohibits the Acquisition;
Australia
(e) the Commonwealth Treasurer (or his delegate):
(i) providing written notice under the Foreign Acquisitions
and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) ("FATA") stating that, or to the effect that, the
Commonwealth Government has no objection to the Acquisition, either on an
unconditional basis or subject only to:
(1) tax-related conditions which are in the form, or substantially
in the form, of those set out in 1 to 6 of Part D of the Australian Foreign
Investment Review Board's Guidance Note 12 on 'Tax Conditions' (in the form
released on 9 July 2021); and
(2) any other conditions which are offered and/or accepted by IFX
Payments; or
(ii) becomes precluded by passage of time from making any order
or decision under Division 2 of Part 3 of the FATA in respect of the
Acquisition and the 10 day period referred to in section 82(2)(a) of the FATA
has ended or the period referred to in section 82(2)(b) of the FATA has ended
(whichever is applicable); or
(iii) where an interim order is made under section 68 of the FATA
in respect of the Acquisition, the subsequent period for making an order or
decision under Part 3 of the FATA elapses without the Commonwealth Treasurer
making such an order or decision; or
(iv) the Commonwealth Treasurer (or the Commonwealth Treasurer's
delegate) has provided written confirmation to IFX Payments that the
Acquisition is exempt from the requirements of the FATA,
whichever occurs first.
The DIFC
(f) in respect of IFX Payments becoming a Controller (as defined
in Rule 11.8.2 of the General Module of the Dubai Financial Services Authority
("DFSA") Rulebook) of Argentex (DIFC) Ltd, either:
(i) written approval of the DFSA approving the Acquisition or
the change in control; or
(ii) written approval of the DFSA approving the Acquisition or
the change of control subject to conditions, with such conditions being on
terms satisfactory to IFX Payments (acting reasonably).
The Netherlands
(g) any required filings having been made with and any required
approvals and/or declarations of no-objection having been obtained from the
Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank) prior to completion whose
respective approvals are required to lawfully complete the Acquisition having
issued, or being deemed to have issued, including a declaration of
no-objection (verklaring van geen bezwaar) pursuant to Section 3:95 of the
Dutch Financial Supervision Act ("Dutch FSA"), which must be obtained either
unconditionally or subject to terms and conditions satisfactory to IFX
Payments (acting reasonably), for each person who will acquire a direct or
indirect qualifying holding (gekwalificeerde deelneming) in Argentex B.V., a
Dutch regulated electronic money institution as referred to in Section 2:10a
Dutch FSA as a result of the Acquisition.
Certain matters arising as a result of any arrangement, agreement, etc.
(h) except as Disclosed, there being no provision of any
agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or other instrument to which any
member of the Argentex Group is a party or by or to which any such member or
any of its assets may be bound, entitled or subject (other than the Bridge
Loan Facility Agreement) or any event or circumstance, which in consequence of
the Acquisition or the proposed acquisition by IFX Payments of any shares or
other securities in Argentex or because of a change in the control or
management of any member of the Argentex Group or otherwise, could or might
reasonably be expected to result in, to an extent which is material and
adverse in the context of the Argentex Group as a whole or in the context of
the Acquisition:
(i) any monies borrowed by or any other indebtedness (actual
or contingent, including without limitation, guarantees, letters of credit and
hedging contracts) of, or grant available to any such member of the Argentex
Group, being or becoming repayable or capable of being declared repayable
immediately or prior to its or their stated maturity date or repayment date or
the ability of any such member to borrow monies or incur any indebtedness
being withdrawn or inhibited or being capable of becoming or being withdrawn
or inhibited;
(ii) any such agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or other
instrument or the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of any such
member of the Argentex Group thereunder being terminated or adversely modified
or adversely affected or any obligation or liability arising or any adverse
action being taken or arising thereunder;
(iii) any assets or interests of any member of the Argentex Group
being or falling to be disposed of or charged or any right arising under which
any such asset or interest could be required to be disposed of or charged;
(iv) the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge,
encumbrance or other security interest over the whole or any part of the
business, property or assets of any member of the Argentex Group;
(v) the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of any
member of the Argentex Group under any such arrangement, agreement, licence,
permit or instrument or the interests or business of any such member with any
other person or body or firm or company (or any arrangement or agreement
relating to any such interests or business) being terminated, adversely
modified or adversely affected;
(vi) the value of, or the financial or trading position, profits
or prospects of any member of the Argentex Group being prejudiced or adversely
affected;
(vii) any assets (or interests in assets) or any asset the use of
which is enjoyed by, any member of the Argentex Group being or failing to be
disposed of or charged or any right arising under which any such asset (or
interests in assets) could be required to be disposed of or charged or could
cease to be available to any such member otherwise than in the ordinary course
of business;
(viii) any member of the Argentex Group ceasing to be able to carry on
business under any name under which it currently does so; or
(ix) the creation or acceleration of any liability, actual or
contingent, by any member of the Argentex Group excluding trade creditors and
other liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business,
and, except as Disclosed, no event having occurred which, under any provision
of any such agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or other instrument to
which any member of the Argentex Group is a party or by or to which any such
member or any of its assets may be bound, entitled or subject, would result in
any of the events or circumstances as are referred to in Conditions 3(h)(i) to
3(h)(ix);
General regulatory
(i) except as Disclosed, other than in connection with the
Conditions set out in paragraphs 3(a) to 3(g) above, no Third Party having (1)
given notice of a decision or having decided to take, institute, implement or
threaten any action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference,
(2) required any action to be taken or otherwise having done anything, (3)
enacted, made or proposed any statute, regulation, decision, order or change
to published practice, or (4) taken any other steps which would reasonably be
expected to (and in each case, not having withdrawn the same) and there not
continuing to be any outstanding statute, regulation, decision or order which
would or might reasonably be expected to:
(i) require, prevent or delay the divestiture, or materially
alter the terms envisaged for any such divestiture by any member of the IFX
Payments Group or any member of the Argentex Group of all or any portion of
their respective businesses, assets or property or impose any limitation on
the ability of any of them to conduct their respective businesses (or any part
thereof) or to own, control or manage any of their respective assets or
properties (or any part thereof) which, in any such case, is material in the
context of the Argentex Group or the IFX Payments Group taken as a whole;
(ii) except pursuant to Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies
Act, require, prevent or materially delay the divestiture by any member of the
IFX Payments Group of any shares or other securities (or the equivalent) in
any member of the Argentex Group or the IFX Payments Group;
(iii) impose any material limitation on, or result in a material
delay in, the ability of any member of the IFX Payments Group directly or
indirectly to acquire or to hold or to exercise effectively all or any rights
of ownership in respect of shares or loans or securities convertible into
shares or any other securities (or the equivalent) in any member of the
Argentex Group or the IFX Payments Group or to exercise management control
over any such member;
(iv) otherwise adversely affect the business, assets, profits or
prospects of any member of the Argentex Group or the IFX Payments Group in a
manner which is adverse to and material in the context of the Argentex Group
or the IFX Payments Group taken as a whole;
(v) make the Scheme, the Acquisition, its implementation or the
acquisition or proposed acquisition by IFX Payments or any member of the IFX
Payments Group of any shares or other securities in, or control or management
of Argentex void, illegal, and/or unenforceable under the laws of any
jurisdiction, or otherwise, directly or indirectly, restrain, restrict,
prohibit, delay or otherwise materially interfere with the same, or impose
material additional conditions or obligations with respect thereto or
otherwise materially challenge, impede, interfere or require material
amendment of the Scheme, the Acquisition, or the acquisition or proposed
acquisition by IFX Payments of any shares or other securities in, or control
or management of, Argentex;
(vi) other than pursuant to the Acquisition, require any member of
the IFX Payments Group or the Argentex Group to offer to acquire any shares or
other securities (or the equivalent) or interest in any member of the Argentex
Group or the IFX Payments Group owned by any third party;
(vii) impose any limitation on the ability of any member of the
Argentex Group to conduct, integrate or co-ordinate all or any part of its
business with all or any part of the businesses of any other members of the
Argentex Group which is adverse to and material in the context of the Argentex
Group taken as a whole; or
(viii) result in any member of the Argentex Group ceasing to be able
to carry on business under any name under which it presently does so,
and all applicable waiting and other time periods (including any extensions
thereof) during which any such Third Party could institute, implement or
threaten any such action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or
reference or other step under the laws of any jurisdiction in respect of the
Scheme, the Acquisition or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any
Argentex Shares or otherwise intervene having expired, lapsed or been
terminated;
(j) other than in connection with the Conditions set out in
paragraphs 3(a) to 3(g) above, all necessary notifications, filings or
applications having been made in connection with the Acquisition and all
statutory or regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction having been complied
with in connection with the Scheme, the Acquisition, its implementation or the
acquisition by IFX Payments of any shares or other securities in, or control
or management of, Argentex and all authorisations, orders, recognitions,
grants, consents, licences, confirmations, clearances, permissions and
approvals reasonably deemed necessary or appropriate by IFX Payments for or in
respect of the Scheme, the Acquisition, its implementation or the proposed
acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control or management of,
Argentex by IFX Payments having been obtained in terms and in a form
satisfactory to IFX Payments (acting reasonably) from all appropriate Third
Parties or persons with whom any member of the Argentex Group has entered into
contractual arrangements and all such authorisations, orders, recognitions,
grants, consents, licences, confirmations, clearances, permissions and
approvals together with all authorisations orders, recognitions, grants,
licences, confirmations, clearances, permissions and approvals necessary or
appropriate to carry on the business of any member of the Argentex Group and,
in each case, which is material in the context of the Argentex Group as a
whole remaining in full force and effect and all filings necessary for such
purpose having been made and there being no notice or intimation of any
intention to revoke or not to renew any of the same immediately before (x)
where the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Scheme, immediately prior to
12 noon on the Business Day before the Court Sanction Hearing, and (y) where
the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer, at the time at which the
Offer becomes otherwise unconditional;
(k) the FCA not having cancelled or materially varied, and not
having notified any proposal or intention to cancel or materially vary, any
permission (within the meaning of FSMA) held as at the date of this
announcement by any UK-authorised person who is a member of the Argentex Group
in any such case to an extent which is material in the context of the Argentex
Group taken as a whole;
Certain events occurring since 31 December 2024
(l) except as Disclosed, no member of the Argentex Group
having, since 31 December 2024:
(i) (other than as specified in the Co-operation Agreement)
issued or agreed to issue or authorised or proposed the issue of, additional
shares of any class, or securities or securities convertible into, or
exchangeable for, or rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or acquire,
any such shares or securities or convertible securities or transferred, sold
or agreed to transfer or sell or authorise or propose the transfer or sale of
shares out of treasury (except, where relevant, intra-Group);
(ii) recommended, declared, paid or made or resolved to
recommend, declare, pay or make any dividend or other distribution (whether
payable in cash or otherwise) other than dividends (or other distributions
whether payable in cash or otherwise) lawfully paid or made intra-Group;
(iii) save for intra-Group transactions, implemented, effected,
authorised, proposed or announced its intention to implement, effect,
authorise or propose any merger, demerger, reconstruction, amalgamation,
sub-division, scheme, commitment or acquisitions or disposal of assets or
shares or loan capital (or the equivalent thereof) in any undertaking or
undertakings in any such case to an extent which is or could reasonably be
expected to be material in the context of the Argentex Group taken as a whole
or in the context of the Acquisition;
(iv) save for intra-Group transactions (and the Bridge Loan
Facility Agreement and supporting security and guarantees), disposed of, or
transferred, mortgaged or charged, or created any security interest over any
asset or any right, title or interest in any asset (including shares and trade
investments) or authorised, proposed or announced any intention to do so other
than in the ordinary course of business and to the extent that is, or could
reasonably be expected to be, material in the context of the Argentex Group
taken as a whole or in the context of the Acquisition;
(v) save for intra-Group transactions entered into the ordinary
course of business, entered into, implemented or authorised the entry into,
any joint venture, asset or profit-sharing arrangement, partnership or merger
of business or corporate entities, in each case, to an extent which is
material in the context of the Argentex Group taken as whole or in the context
of the Acquisition;
(vi) made any alteration to its memorandum or articles of
association or other incorporation documents (other than in connection with
the Scheme);
(vii) save for intra-Group transactions, made, authorised, proposed
or announced an intention to propose any material change in its loan capital;
(viii) save for intra-Group transactions (and the Bridge Loan Facility
Agreement and supporting security and guarantees), issued, authorised or
proposed or announced an intention to authorise or propose the issue of any
debentures, or any change in or to the terms of any debentures or incurred or
increased any indebtedness which is, or could reasonably be expected to be,
material in the context of the Argentex Group taken as a whole or in the
context of the Acquisition;
(ix) purchased, redeemed or repaid or announced any proposal to
purchase, redeem or repay any of its own shares or other securities or reduced
or, save in respect to the matters mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) above, made
any other change to any part of its share capital;
(x) entered into or varied or authorised, proposed or announced
its intention to enter into or vary any material contract, arrangement,
agreement, transaction or commitment (whether in respect of capital
expenditure or otherwise) except in the ordinary course of business which is
(a) of a long-term, onerous or unusual nature or magnitude, or (b) which is or
could reasonably be expected to be materially restrictive on the businesses of
any member of the Argentex Group (other than to a nature and extent which is
normal in the context of the business concerned) or the IFX Payments Group and
which, in either case, is material in the context of the Argentex Group taken
as a whole;
(xi) entered into, materially varied (or having offered to vary)
the terms of employment of any director or senior manager except for salary
increases or bonuses in the ordinary course for any senior manager of
Argentex, other than as agreed by the Panel and IFX Payments or specified in
the Co-operation Agreement;
(xii) (other than in respect of a member of the Argentex Group which
is dormant and was solvent at the relevant time) taken or proposed any steps,
corporate action or had any legal proceedings started or threatened against it
in relation to the suspension of payments, a moratorium of indebtedness, its
winding-up (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or reorganisation or for the
appointment of a receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, trustee or
similar officer of all or any of its assets or revenues or any analogous or
equivalent steps or proceedings in any jurisdiction or appointed any analogous
person in any jurisdiction or had any such person appointed, in each case to
the extent material in the context of the Argentex Group taken as a whole or
in the context of the Acquisition;
(xiii) been unable, or admitted in writing that it is unable, to pay
its debts when they fall due or commenced negotiations with one or more of its
creditors with a view to rescheduling or restructuring any of its
indebtedness, or having stopped or suspended (or threatened to stop or
suspend) payment of its debts generally or ceased or threatened to cease
carrying on all or a substantial part of its business;
(xiv) entered into any contract, transaction or arrangement which
would be restrictive on the business of any member of the Argentex Group other
than to a nature and extent which is normal in the context of the business
concerned;
(xv) terminated or varied the terms of any agreement or arrangement
between any member of the Argentex Group and any other person in a manner
which would or might reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the
Argentex Group taken as a whole or to be material in the context of the
Acquisition;
(xvi) waived, compromised or settled any claim or regulatory
proceeding (whether actual or threatened) by or against any member of the
Argentex Group otherwise than in the ordinary course of business;
(xvii) made or agreed or consented to or procured any change to, or the
custodian or trustee of any scheme having made a change to:
(1) the terms of the trust deeds constituting the pension
scheme(s) established by any member of the Argentex Group for its directors,
employees, former employees or their dependents;
(2) the contributions payable to any such scheme(s) or to the
benefits which accrue or to the pensions which are payable thereunder;
(3) the basis on which qualification for, or accrual or
entitlement to, such benefits or pensions are calculated or determined; or
(4) the basis upon which the liabilities (including pensions) of
such pension schemes are funded, valued or made, or
having carried out any act which would or could reasonably be expected to
create a material debt owed by an employer to any such plan which would or
could reasonably be expected to accelerate any obligation on any employer to
fund or pay additional contributions to any such plan in any material respect,
in each case, to the extent material in the context of the Argentex Group
taken as a whole;
(xviii) proposed, agreed to provide or modified the terms of either
Argentex Share Plan, any other share option scheme, incentive scheme,
retention scheme or other benefit (including compensation) constituting a
material change relating to the employment or termination of employment of a
senior manager of the Argentex Group other than in accordance with the terms
of the Co-operation Agreement or Acquisition or, if required by the Takeover
Code, as agreed by the Panel and/or IFX Payments;
(xix) other than with the consent of IFX Payments, taken (or agreed or
proposed to take) any action which requires, or would require, the consent of
the Panel or the approval of Argentex Shareholders in a general meeting in
accordance with, or as contemplated by, Rule 21.1 of the Takeover Code, save
in respect of the Bridge Finance Facility; or
(xx) entered into any agreement, commitment or arrangement or passed
any resolution or made any offer (which remains open for acceptance) or
proposed or announced any intention with respect to any of the transactions,
matters or events referred to in this Condition (l),
and, for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (i) to (iv) (inclusive), and (vii) of
this Condition, the term "Group" shall mean Argentex and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries;
No material adverse change, litigation, regulatory enquiry or similar
(m) except as Disclosed, since 31 December 2024:
(i) no adverse change or deterioration having occurred, and no
circumstance having arisen which would or might reasonably be expected to
result in any adverse change or deterioration, in the business, assets,
financial or trading position, profits or prospects of any member of the
Argentex Group which is material in the context of the Argentex Group taken as
a whole;
(ii) no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or
other legal proceedings to which any member of the Argentex Group is or may
become a party (whether as a plaintiff, defendant or otherwise) and no
enquiry, review investigation or other regulatory proceedings by, or complaint
or reference to, any Third Party against or in respect of any member of the
Argentex Group having been instituted, announced, implemented or threatened by
or against or remaining outstanding in respect of any member of the Argentex
Group which in any such case might reasonably be expected to materially
adversely affect the Argentex Group taken as a whole or in the context of the
Acquisition;
(iii) no contingent or other liability having arisen or become
apparent or increased which affects, or which could reasonably be expected to
affect materially and adversely the business, assets, financial or trading
position or profits or prospects of any member of the Argentex Group (and
where such effect is or could reasonably be expected to be material in the
context of the Argentex Group as a whole);
(iv) no steps having been taken which would or might be reasonably
likely to result in the withdrawal, cancellation, termination or modification
of any licence held by any member of the Argentex Group which is necessary for
the proper carrying on of its business, in circumstances where the withdrawal,
cancellation, termination or modification of such licence has had, is having,
or could reasonably be expected to have an effect which is or could reasonably
be expected to be material in the context of the Argentex Group as a whole or
in the context of the Acquisition; and
(v) no member of the Argentex Group having conducted its
business in material breach of any applicable laws and regulations where such
breach might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
Argentex Group taken as a whole;
No discovery of certain matters regarding information, liabilities and
environmental issues
(n) except as Disclosed, IFX Payments not having discovered:
(i) that any financial, business or other information
concerning the Argentex Group as contained in the information publicly
disclosed at any time by or on behalf of any member of the Argentex Group is
misleading, contains a material misrepresentation of fact or omits to state a
fact necessary to make that information not misleading and which was not
subsequently corrected before the date of this announcement by public
disclosure, and which is, or was, or could reasonably be expected to be,
material in the context of the Argentex Group taken as a whole or in the
context of the Acquisition;
(ii) that any member of the Argentex Group is subject to any
liability (contingent or otherwise) which is not disclosed in the 2024
Argentex Annual Report and which is material in the context of the Argentex
Group taken as a whole;
(iii) that any past or present member of the Argentex Group has
failed to comply in any material respect with any applicable legislation,
regulations or other requirements of any jurisdiction or any Authorisations
relating to the use, treatment, storage, carriage, disposal, discharge,
spillage, release, leak or emission of any waste or hazardous substance or any
substance likely to impair the environment (including property) or harm human
health or otherwise relating to environmental matters or the health and safety
of humans, which non compliance would be likely to give rise to any liability
including any penalty for non-compliance (whether actual or contingent) on the
part of any member of the Argentex Group and which is material in the context
of the Argentex Group taken as a whole;
(iv) that there is or is reasonably expected to be any obligation
or liability (whether actual or contingent) or requirement to make good,
remediate, repair, reinstate or clean up any property, asset or any controlled
waters currently or previously owned, occupied, operated or made use of or
controlled by any past or present member of the Argentex Group (or on its
behalf), or in which any such member may have or previously have had or be
deemed to have had an interest, under any environmental legislation, common
law, regulation, notice, circular, Authorisation or order of any Third Party
or any other person or body in any jurisdiction or to contribute to the cost
thereof or associated therewith or indemnify any person in relation thereto
and which is material in the context of the Argentex Group taken as a whole;
or
(v) any information which affects the import of any information
disclosed at any time by or on behalf of any member of the Argentex Group and
which is material in the context of the Argentex Group as a whole;
Anti-corruption, sanctions, criminal property
(o) except as Disclosed, no past or present member, director,
officer, employee or agent of the Argentex Group or any person that performs
or has performed services (or otherwise acts or has acted) for or on behalf of
any such company being or at any time having been engaged in any activity,
practice or conduct which would constitute an offence under the Bribery Act
2010, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any other
anti-corruption or anti-bribery law, rule or regulation or legislation
applicable to the Argentex Group concerning improper payments or kick-backs;
(p) except as Disclosed, (i) no asset nor any member of the
Argentex Group constituting criminal property as defined by section 340(3) of
the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (but disregarding paragraph (b) of that
definition) or proceeds of crime under any other applicable law, rule or
regulation concerning money laundering or proceeds of crime; and (ii) no
member of the Argentex Group having engaged in any activity constituting money
laundering under any applicable law, rule or regulation concerning money
laundering;
(q) no past or present member, director, officer, employee or
agent of the Argentex Group or any person that performs or has performed
services for or on behalf of any such member, director, officer or employee
being or at any time having been engaged in any activity or business with,
made any investments in, made any funds or assets available to or received any
funds or assets from:
(i) any government, entity or individual in respect of which
US, United Kingdom or European Union persons, or persons operating in those
territories, are prohibited from engaging in activities or doing business, or
from receiving or making available funds or economic resources, by US, United
Kingdom or European Union laws or regulations, including the economic
sanctions administered by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control,
or HM Treasury & Customs; or
(ii) any government, entity or individual targeted or covered by
any of the economic sanctions administered or imposed by the United Nations,
the US (including, without limitation, the United States Office of Foreign
Assets Control), the United Kingdom, the European Union (or any of its
respective member states) or any other governments or supranational body or
authority in any jurisdiction, save that this shall not apply if and to the
extent that it is or would be unenforceable by reason of breach of any
applicable Blocking Law;
(r) no member of the Argentex Group being or at any time having
been engaged in a transaction which would cause any member of the IFX Payments
Group to be in breach of any applicable law or regulation on completion of the
Acquisition, including the economic sanctions administered by the United
States Office of Foreign Assets Control or HM Treasury & Customs or any
government, entity or individual targeted by any of the economic sanctions of
the United Nations, United States, the United Kingdom or the European Union or
any of its member states or any other governments or supranational body or
authority in any jurisdiction, save that this shall not apply if and to the
extent that it is or would be unenforceable by reason of breach of any
applicable Blocking Law; and
(s) no past or present member, director, officer or employee of
the Argentex Group, or any other person for whom any such person may be liable
or responsible: (i) having engaged in conduct which would violate any relevant
anti-terrorism laws, rules, or regulations, including but not limited to the
US Anti-Terrorism Act; (ii) having engaged in conduct which would violate any
relevant anti-boycott law, rule, or regulation or any applicable export
controls, including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations
administered and enforced by the U.S. Department of Commerce or the
International Traffic in Arms Regulations administered and enforced by the
U.S. Department of State; (iii) having engaged in conduct which would violate
any relevant laws, rules, or regulations concerning human rights, including
but not limited to any law, rule, or regulation concerning false imprisonment,
torture or other cruel and unusual punishment, or child labour; (iv) being
debarred or otherwise rendered ineligible to bid for or to perform contracts
for or with any government, governmental instrumentality, or international
organization or found to have violated any applicable law, rule, or regulation
concerning government contracting or public procurement.
Part B
Certain further terms
1. Subject to the requirements of the Panel and the Takeover
Code, IFX Payments reserves the right to waive:
(a) the deadline set out in Condition 1 in Part A of this
Appendix 1, and any of the deadlines set out in Condition 2 in Part A of this
Appendix 1 for the timing of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting. If any
such deadline is not met, IFX Payments will make an announcement by 8.00 a.m.
on the Business Day following such deadline confirming whether it has invoked
or waived the relevant Condition or extended the deadline in relation to the
relevant Condition in accordance with the terms on which such deadline may be
extended. In all other respects, Conditions 1 and 2 in Part A of this Appendix
1 cannot be waived; and
(b) in whole or in part, all or any of Conditions 3(a) to (s)
(inclusive) in Part A of this Appendix 1.
The Scheme will be subject to the fulfilment (or
waiver, if permitted) of the Conditions set out in Part A of this Appendix 1,
to the further terms set out in this Part B of Appendix 1, and to the full
terms and conditions which will be set out in the Scheme Document, and such
further terms as may be required to comply with the provisions of the Takeover
Code.
IFX Payments shall be under no obligation to waive (if
capable of waiver), to determine to be or remain satisfied or to treat as
satisfied or fulfilled any of the Conditions that it is entitled (with the
consent of the Panel and subject to the requirements of the Takeover Code) to
invoke by a date earlier than the latest date specified above for the
fulfilment or waiver thereof, notwithstanding that the other Conditions of the
Acquisition may at such earlier date have been waived or fulfilled and that
there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating that any of such
Conditions may not be capable of fulfilment.
If IFX Payments is required by the Panel to make an
offer for Argentex Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the Takeover Code,
IFX Payments may make such alterations to any of the above Conditions and
terms of the Acquisition as are necessary to comply with the provisions of
that Rule.
Under Rule 13.5(a) of the Takeover Code and subject to
the remaining provision of this paragraph 5, IFX Payments may only invoke a
Condition so as to cause the Acquisition not to proceed, to lapse or to be
withdrawn with the consent of Panel. The Panel will normally only give its
consent if the circumstances which give rise to the right to invoke the
Condition are of material significance to IFX Payments in the context of the
Acquisition. This will be judged by reference to the facts of each case at the
time that the relevant circumstances arise. Conditions 1 and 2 above and, if
applicable, any acceptance condition if the Acquisition is implemented by
means of an Offer, are not subject to this provision of the Takeover Code.
Any Condition that is subject to Rule 13.5(a) of the
Takeover Code may be waived by IFX Payments.
The Argentex Shares acquired under the Acquisition will
be acquired fully paid and free from all liens, equities, charges,
encumbrances, options, rights of pre-emption and any other third party rights
and interests of any nature and together with all rights now or hereafter
attaching or accruing to them, including, without limitation, voting rights
and the right to receive and retain in full all dividends and other
distributions (if any) announced, declared, made or paid, or any other return
of capital (whether by reduction of share capital or share premium account or
otherwise) made on or after the Effective Date.
If, on or after the date of this announcement but prior
to or on the Effective Date, any dividend and/or other form of capital return
or distribution is announced, authorised, declared, made or paid or becomes
payable in respect of Argentex Shares, and with a record date prior to or on
the Effective Date, IFX Payments reserves the right (without prejudice to any
right of IFX Payments, with the consent of the Panel, to invoke Condition
3(l)(ii) in this Appendix 1) to reduce the Consideration by an amount up to
the amount of such dividend and/or distribution and/or return of capital, in
which case any reference in this announcement to the Consideration will be
deemed to be a reference to the consideration as so reduced. Any exercise by
IFX Payments of its rights referred to in this paragraph shall be the subject
of an announcement and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be regarded as
constituting any revision or variation of the terms of the Scheme. In such
circumstances, Argentex Shareholders would be entitled to retain any such
dividend, distribution or other return of capital declared, made or paid which
becomes payable. If and to the extent that any such dividend, distribution or
other return of capital is announced, declared, made or paid or becomes
payable and is either: (i) transferred pursuant to the Acquisition on a basis
which entitles IFX Payments to receive the dividend, distribution or other
return of capital and to retain it; or (ii) cancelled before payment, the
Consideration shall not be subject to change in accordance with this paragraph
8. Any exercise by IFX Payments of its rights referred to in this paragraph 8
shall not be regarded as constituting any revision or variation of the
Acquisition.
IFX Payments reserves the right to elect to implement
the Acquisition by way of an Offer as an alternative to the Scheme (subject to
the Panel's consent and the terms of the Co-operation Agreement). In such
event, the Offer will be implemented on the same terms, so far as applicable,
and subject to the terms of the Co-operation Agreement, as those which would
apply to the Scheme, subject to appropriate amendments to reflect, among other
things, the change in the method of effecting the Acquisition (including,
without limitation: (i) the inclusion of an acceptance condition set at 90 per
cent. of the Argentex Shares to which such Offer relates (or such other
percentage as IFX Payments may, subject to the rules of the Takeover Code and
the terms of the Co-operation Agreement and with the consent of the Panel,
decide); and (ii) those required by, or deemed appropriate by, IFX Payments
under applicable law, including US securities law). Further, if sufficient
acceptances of such Offer are received and/or sufficient Argentex Shares are
otherwise acquired, it is the intention of IFX Payments to apply the
provisions of the Companies Act 2006 to acquire compulsorily any outstanding
Argentex Shares to which such offer relates.
The availability of the Acquisition to persons not
resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant
jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom should
inform themselves about and observe any applicable requirements.
The Acquisition is not being made, directly or
indirectly, in, into or from, or by use of the mails of, or by any means of
instrumentality (including, but not limited to, facsimile, e-mail or other
electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce
of, or of any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of,
any Restricted Jurisdiction.
This announcement and any rights or liabilities arising
hereunder, the Acquisition and the Scheme, and any proxies will be governed by
English law and be subject to the jurisdiction of the Court and to the
Conditions and further terms set out in this Appendix 1 to be set out in the
Scheme Document. The Co-operation Agreement and any dispute or claim arising
out of, or in connection with it, (whether contractual or non-contractual in
nature) is governed by English law (save to the extent expressly set out
therein) and is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and
Wales. The Acquisition will be subject to the applicable requirements of
English law, the Takeover Code, the Panel, the AIM Rules, the London Stock
Exchange and the FCA.
Each of the Conditions shall be regarded as a separate
Condition and shall not be limited by reference to any other Condition.
Appendix 2
Sources and Bases of Information
In this announcement:
Unless otherwise stated, historical financial
information relating to the Group has been extracted or derived (without any
adjustment) from the 2024 Argentex Annual Report.
Argentex's fully diluted equity value has been
calculated on the basis of a fully diluted ordinary share capital of
120,429,055 Argentex Shares, calculated as:
(a) 120,429,055 Argentex Shares in issue as at the Latest
Practicable Date (Argentex holds no shares held in treasury); and
(b) it is assumed that there are no Argentex Shares which will
be issued on or after the date of this announcement pursuant to the Argentex
Share Plans, given that the Argentex Capital Limited growth A shares issued
pursuant to the Argentex 2025 LTIP will only be exchanged or exchangeable for
Argentex Shares if the Consideration is higher than 65 pence per Argentex
Share and no options have been granted under the Argentex 2025 ESOP as at the
date of this announcement.
The value of approximately £3.0 million for the entire
issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Argentex is calculated on
the basis of:
(a) the Consideration of 2.49 pence per Argentex Share; and
(b) the fully diluted number of Argentex Shares as referred to
in paragraph 2 above.
Certain figures included in this announcement have been
subject to rounding adjustments.
Appendix 3
Details of Irrevocable Undertakings
Irrevocable undertakings from Director Shareholders
The following Director Shareholders have given
irrevocable undertakings to vote (or, where applicable, procure voting) in
favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolutions to be proposed
at the General Meeting (or in the event that the Acquisition is implemented by
an Offer, to accept or procure acceptance of such Offer) in respect of their
own beneficial holdings of Argentex Shares and those of their close relatives
and related trusts (or those Argentex Shares over which they, or their close
relatives and related trusts, have control):
Name Number of Argentex Shares in respect of which undertaking is given Percentage of existing issued share capital
Guy Rudolph 100,021 0.08
Henry Beckwith 7,698,130 6.39
Jonathan Gray 100,000 0.08
Timothy Haldenby 54,716 0.05
Lord Digby Marritt Jones 456,673 0.38
Nigel Railton 1,704,137 1.42
The obligations contained in the irrevocable
undertakings referred to in paragraph 1.1 above lapse and cease to have effect
if on the earlier of (i) where the Acquisition is implemented by way of a
Scheme, if the Scheme Document is not published within 28 days of the date of
issue of the announcement (or such later date as may be agreed between
Argentex, IFX Payments and the Panel) in circumstances where the same is
caused by a breach by IFX Payments of clause 4 of the Co--operation Agreement;
(ii) if IFX Payments announces that it does not intend to proceed with the
Acquisition and no new, revised or replacement Scheme or Offer is announced by
IFX Payments in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code at the same
time; or (iii) on the earlier of (I) the Long Stop Date; or (II) the date on
which the Acquisition (whether implemented by way of a Scheme or an Offer) is
withdrawn or lapses in accordance with its terms, provided that sub-limb (II)
shall not apply where the Acquisition is withdrawn or lapses as a result of
IFX Payments exercising its right to implement the Acquisition by way of an
Offer in accordance with the Takeover Code rather than by way of a Scheme or
vice versa.
Irrevocable undertakings from Argentex Shareholders
The following Argentex Shareholders have given
irrevocable undertakings to vote (or, where applicable, procure voting) in
favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Resolutions to be proposed
at the General Meeting (or in the event that the Acquisition is implemented by
an Offer, to accept or procure acceptance of such Offer) in respect of their
own beneficial holdings of Argentex Shares and those of their close relatives
and related trusts (or those Argentex Shares over which they, or their close
relatives and related trusts, have control):
Name Number of Argentex Shares in respect of which undertaking is given Percentage of existing issued share capital
Heather Beckwith 913,724 0.76
John Beckwith 1,853,567 1.54
Mark Johnson 2,645,710 2.20
Nicola Bearman 256,800 0.21
Pacific Investments Management Ltd 20,623,759 17.13
Piers Beckwith 1,112,205 0.92
Harry Adams 4,586,116 3.81
Andrew Egan 5,800,000 4.82
Gresham House Asset Management Limited 15,709,434 13.04
Harwood Capital LLP 6,050,000 5.02
Jim Ormonde 496,384 0.41
The obligations contained in the irrevocable
undertakings referred to in paragraph 2.1 above lapse and cease to have effect
if on the earlier of (i) where the Acquisition is implemented by way of a
Scheme, if the Scheme Document is not published within 28 days of the date of
issue of the announcement (or such later date as may be agreed between
Argentex, IFX Payments and the Panel) in circumstances where the same is
caused by a breach by IFX Payments of clause 4 of the Co--operation Agreement;
(ii) if IFX Payments announces that it does not intend to proceed with the
Acquisition and no new, revised or replacement Scheme or Offer is announced by
IFX Payments in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Takeover Code at the same
time; or (iii) on the earlier of (I) the Long Stop Date; or (II) the date on
which the Acquisition (whether implemented by way of a Scheme or an Offer) is
withdrawn or lapses in accordance with its terms, provided that sub-limb (II)
shall not apply where the Acquisition is withdrawn or lapses as a result of
IFX Payments exercising its right to implement the Acquisition by way of an
Offer in accordance with the Takeover Code rather than by way of a Scheme or
vice versa.
Appendix 4
Definitions
"2024 Argentex Annual Report" means the annual report and audited accounts of
Argentex for the year ended 31 December 2024;
"Acquisition" mean the proposed acquisition of the entire issued and to be
issued ordinary share capital of Argentex by IFX Payments, to be effected by
the Scheme as described in this announcement (or by the Offer under certain
circumstances described in this announcement);
"AIM" means the market of that name operated by the London Stock Exchange;
"AIM Rules" means the AIM Rules for Companies published by the London Stock
Exchange from time to time;
"AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers" mean the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers
published by the London Stock Exchange from time to time;
"Argentex" means Argentex Group plc, a public company incorporated in England
and Wales with registered number 11965856;
"Argentex 2025 ESOP" means the Argentex Employee Share Option Plan which was
approved by a general meeting of Argentex on 2 April 2025, and which was, at
the date of such approval, intended to involve the grant of options over
Argentex Shares to certain employees of the Argentex Group with certain of
such options intended to be tax-advantageous options pursuant to schedule 4 to
the UK Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003; ;
"Argentex 2025 LTIP" means the Argentex Senior Executive Long Term Incentive
Plan which was approved by a general meeting of Argentex on 2 April 2025, and
which involves the acquisition by executive directors and other senior
executives of the Target Group of certain shares in the capital of Argentex
Capital Limited on terms providing for the exchange of such Argentex Capital
Limited shares into Argentex Shares or, in certain circumstances, the purchase
of such Argentex Capital Limited shares by Argentex;
"Argentex Board" means the board of directors of Argentex;
"Argentex Directors" means the directors of Argentex as at the date of this
announcement;
"Argentex Group" means Argentex and its subsidiaries, subsidiary undertakings,
associated undertakings and any other body corporate, partnership, joint
venture or person in which Argentex and/or such subsidiaries or undertakings
(aggregating their interests) have a significant interest.
"Argentex Shareholders" means the registered holders of Argentex Shares from
time to time;
"Argentex Share Plans" means each of the Argentex 2025 LTIP and the Argentex
2025 ESOP;
"Argentex Shares" means the existing unconditionally allotted or issued fully
paid ordinary shares of £0.0001 each in the capital of Argentex and any
further such ordinary shares which are unconditionally allotted or issued
before the Scheme becomes Effective;
"Authorisations" means regulatory authorisations, orders, recognitions,
grants, consents, clearances, confirmations, certificates, licences,
permissions or approvals;
"Blocking Law" means (i) any provision of Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/1996
of 22 November 1996 (or any law or regulation implementing such Regulation in
any member state of the European Union or the United Kingdom); or (ii) any
similar blocking or anti-boycott law;
"Bridge Finance Facility" has the meaning given to it in paragraph 12.3 of
this announcement;
"Bridge Loan Facility Agreement" the bridge finance facility provided to
Argentex by IFX Payments pursuant to the Bridge Loan Facility Agreement, as
described in paragraph 12.3 of this announcement;
"Business Day" mean a day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in
England) on which banks are generally open for business in London;
"close relative" has the meaning given in (or the definition applied by the
Panel in accordance with) the Takeover Code;
"Closing Price" means the closing middle market price of an Argentex Share on
a particular trading day as derived from Bloomberg;
"CMA" means the UK Competition and Markets Authority, the competent UK
authority responsible for competition;
"Combined Group" means the enlarged group following completion of the
Acquisition comprising the Argentex Group and the IFX Payments Group following
the Acquisition;
"Companies Act 2006" means the UK Companies Act 2006;
"Conditions" means the conditions to the implementation of the Acquisition, as
set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement and to be set out in the Scheme
Document;
"Confidentiality Agreement" has the meaning given to it in paragraph 12.1 of
this announcement;
"Consideration" has the meaning given to it in paragraph 1 of this
announcement;
"Co-operation Agreement" has the meaning given to it in paragraph 12.2 of this
announcement;
"Court" means the High Court of Justice in England and
Wales;
"Court Meeting" means the meeting or meetings of the Argentex Shareholders (or
any class or classes thereof) to be convened by order of the Court pursuant to
Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006 (notice of which will be set out in the
Scheme Document) for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, approving
the Scheme (with or without amendment) and any adjournment, postponement or
reconvention thereof;
"Court Sanction Hearing" means the hearing of the Court to sanction the Scheme
under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006;
"CREST" means the relevant system (as defined in the Uncertificated Securities
Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755)) in respect of which Euroclear UK &
International Limited is the Operator (as defined in those Regulations) in
accordance with which securities may be held and transferred in uncertificated
form;
"Dealing Disclosure" has the same meaning as in Rule 8 of the Takeover Code;
"DIFC" means the Dubai International Financial Centre Free Zone of the United
Arab Emirates;
"DFSA" has the meaning given to it in paragraph 3(f) of Appendix 1;
"Dutch FSA" has the meaning given to it in paragraph 3(g) of Appendix 1;
"Director Shareholders" means Henry Beckwith, Jonathan Gray, Timothy Haldenby,
Lord Digby Marritt Jones, Nigel Railton and Guy Rudolph, each of whom has
entered into an irrevocable undertaking with IFX Payments on the terms
described in Appendix 3;
"Disclosed" mean the information disclosed by or on behalf of Argentex: (i) in
the 2024 Argentex Annual Report; (ii) in this announcement; (iii) in any other
announcement to a Regulatory Information Service prior to the publication of
this announcement; or (iv) otherwise fairly disclosed in writing (including
via the virtual data room operated by or on behalf of Argentex in respect of
the Acquisition) or orally in Due Diligence Meetings (only to the extent the
content of those oral disclosures is reflected in any investment committee
paper or memorandum or written due diligence report prepared by or for IFX
Payments or their respective advisers, officers, employees or agents (in each
case, in their capacity as such) prior to the date of this announcement);
"Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules" mean the disclosure guidance and
transparency rules made by the FCA and forming part of the FCA's handbook of
rules and guidance, as amended from time to time;
"Due Diligence Meetings" means the due diligence meetings between Argentex and
IFX Payments (and/or their respective advisers, officers, employees or agents
(in each case, in their capacity as such)) held between 20 April 2025 and the
date of this announcement;
"Effective" means in the context of the Acquisition: (i) if the Acquisition is
implemented by way of the Scheme, the Scheme having become effective in
accordance with its terms; or (ii) if the Acquisition is implemented by way of
the Offer, the Offer having been declared or having become unconditional in
all respects in accordance with the requirements of the Takeover Code;
"Effective Date" means the date on which the Scheme (or Offer, as applicable)
becomes Effective in accordance with its terms;
"FCA" means the Financial Conduct Authority;
"FSMA" means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;
"General Meeting" means the general meeting of Argentex Shareholders to be
convened in connection with the Scheme for the purpose of considering and, if
thought fit, approving, inter alia, the Resolutions, and any adjournment,
postponement or reconvention thereof;
"Gresham House" means Gresham House Asset Management Ltd, a limited liability
company incorporated in England with its registered office address at 5 New
Street Square, London, United Kingdom, EC4A 3TW and with registration number
09447087;
"Group" means Argentex and its subsidiary undertakings and, where the context
permits, each of them;
"Harwood Capital LLP" is a limited liability partnership incorporated in
England, with its registered office address at 6 Stratton Street, Mayfair,
London, W1J 8LD and with registration number OC304213;
"IFX Payments" means IFX Payments (the trading name of IFX (UK) Limited), a
private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with registered
number05422718 ;
"IFX Payments Group" means IFX Payments and its subsidiaries, subsidiary
undertakings, associated undertakings and any other body corporate,
partnership, joint venture or person in which IFX Payments and/or such
subsidiaries or undertakings (aggregating their interests) have a significant
interest;
"Insolvency Condition" means Conditions 3(l)(xii) and 3(l)(xiii) (or in either
case there being no agreement or other arrangement in respect of the same (as
per Condition 3(l)(xx)), in each case as set out in Part A of Appendix 1 to
this announcement;
"Invocable Conditions" means Conditions 3(a), 3(f), and 3(g) and the
Insolvency Condition, in each case as set out in Part A of Appendix 1 to this
announcement;
"Latest Practicable Date" means at 24 April 2025 (being the last Business Day
prior to the date of this announcement);
"Liquidity Support" has the meaning given to it in paragraph 1;
"London Stock Exchange" means London Stock Exchange plc;
"Long Stop Date" means 31 January 2026 or such later date (if any) as IFX
Payments and Argentex may, with the consent of the Panel, agree and (if
required) the Court may allow;
"Management Shares" means the 23,589,212 preference shares of £0.0025 each in
the capital of Argentex;
"Market Abuse Regulation" mean the UK version of the Market Abuse Regulation
(EU) No 596/2014, which came into effect on 1 January 2021 when the EU Market
Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 was incorporated into United Kingdom
domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and related
legislation, with certain modifications;
"Meetings" mean the Court Meeting and the General Meeting and, where the
context permits, each of them;
"NS&I Act" means the National Security & Investment Act 2021;
"Offer" means if, subject to the consent of the Panel and the terms of the
Co-operation Agreement, the Acquisition is implemented by way of a takeover
offer as defined in Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act 2006, the offer
to be made by or on behalf of IFX Payments to acquire the entire issued and to
be issued ordinary share capital of Argentex and, where the context admits,
any subsequent revision, variation, extension or renewal of such offer;
"Offer Document" means should the Acquisition be implemented by means of the
Offer, the document to be published by or on behalf of IFX Payments in
connection with the Offer, containing, inter alia, the terms and conditions of
the Offer;
"Offer Period" means the Offer Period (as defined by the Takeover Code)
relating to Argentex commencing on the date of this announcement and ending on
the earlier of the date on which the Acquisition becomes Effective and/or the
date on which the Acquisition lapses or is withdrawn (or such other date as
the Panel may decide);
"Opening Position Disclosure" has the same meaning as in Rule 8 of the
Takeover Code;
"Overseas Shareholders" mean Argentex Shareholders who are resident in,
ordinarily resident in, or citizens of, jurisdictions outside the United
Kingdom;
"Panel" means the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers;
"Registrar of Companies" mean the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales;
"Regulatory Information Service" mean an information service authorised from
time to time by the FCA for the purpose of disseminating regulatory
announcements;
"related trust" has the meaning given in (or the definition applied by the
Panel in accordance with) the Takeover Code;
"Resolutions" such shareholder resolutions of Argentex as are necessary to
approve, implement and effect the Scheme and the Acquisition, including
(without limitation) a special resolution to amend the articles of association
of Argentex by the adoption and inclusion of a new article under which any
Argentex Shares issued or transferred after the General Meeting shall either
be subject to the Scheme or (after the Scheme Record Time) be immediately
transferred to IFX Payments (or as it may direct) in exchange for the same
Consideration as is due under the Scheme;
"Restricted Jurisdiction" means any jurisdiction where local laws or
regulations may result in a significant risk of civil, regulatory or criminal
exposure if information concerning the Acquisition is sent or made available
to Argentex Shareholders in that jurisdiction;
"Scheme" means the proposed scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the
Companies Act 2006 between Argentex and Argentex Shareholders to implement the
Acquisition, with or subject to any modification, addition or condition
approved or imposed by the Court and agreed to by Argentex and IFX Payments;
"Scheme Court Order" means the order of the Court sanctioning the Scheme under
section 899 of the Companies Act 2006;
"Scheme Document" means the circular relating to the Scheme to be despatched
to Argentex Shareholders and persons with information rights, setting out,
among other things, the details of the Acquisition, the full terms and
conditions of the Scheme and containing the notices convening the Court
Meeting and the General Meeting (including, as the context requires, any
supplementary scheme document);
"Scheme Record Time" means the time and date specified as such in the Scheme
Document, expected to be 6.00 p.m. on the Business Day immediately after the
Court Sanction Hearing, or such other time as Argentex and IFX Payments may
agree;
"Scheme Shareholder" mean a holder of Scheme Shares;
"Scheme Shares" mean:
(a) the Argentex Shares in issue at the date of the Scheme
Document;
(b) any Argentex Shares issued after the date of the Scheme
Document and prior to the Scheme Voting Record Time; and
(c) any Argentex Shares issued at or after the Scheme Voting
Record Time and prior to the Scheme Record Time in respect of which the
original or any subsequent holder thereof is bound by the Scheme, or shall by
such time have agreed in writing to be bound by the Scheme;
"Scheme Voting Record Time" means the date and time specified in the Scheme
Document by reference to which entitlement to vote at the Court Meeting will
be determined, expected to be 6.00 p.m. on the day which is two days before
the Court Meeting or, if the Court Meeting is adjourned to 6.00 p.m. on the
day which is two days before the date of such adjourned Court Meeting;
"Strand Hanson" means Strand Hanson Limited, a private limited company
incorporated in England, with its registered office address at 26 Mount Row,
London, England, W1K 3SQand registration number 02780169;
"Takeover Code" means the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers of the United
Kingdom issued by the Panel, as amended from time to time;
"Third Party" mean any government or governmental, quasi-governmental,
supranational, statutory, regulatory, environmental or investigative body,
court, trade agency, association, institution or self-regulatory authority, or
any other body or person whatsoever in any jurisdiction;
"UK" or "United Kingdom" means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland;
"UK Authorised Person" has the meaning given to it in clause 3(a) of Part A of
Appendix 1;
"US" or "United States" mean the United States of America, its territories and
possessions, any state of the United States of America and the District of
Columbia;
"US Exchange Act" means US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended), and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and
"US Securities Act" means US Securities Act of 1933 (as amended), and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
For the purposes of this announcement:
· "subsidiary", "subsidiary undertaking" and "undertaking" have the
respective meanings given by the Companies Act 2006 and "associated
undertaking" has the meaning given by paragraph 19 of Schedule 6 to the Large
and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008
(other than paragraph 19(1)(b) of Schedule 6 to those Regulations which shall
be excluded for this purpose);
· all references to a statutory provision or law or to any order or
regulation shall be construed as a reference to that provision, law, order or
regulation as extended, modified, amended, replaced or re-enacted from time to
time and all statutory instruments, regulations and orders from time to time
made thereunder or validly deriving therefrom;
· all references to time are to London time unless otherwise stated;
· all references to "£", "pence" and "penny" are to the lawful
currency of the United Kingdom; and
· references to the singular include the plural and vice versa.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.
RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
. END OUPIAMTTMTJTBIA