Links and Weil advise on £2bn sale of RBS's credit card arm

The consortium of private equity houses has taken an 80.1 per cent stake in the business, which includes the UK bank’s WorldPay and Streamline card operation systems. RBS will retain the remaining 19.1 per cent in the business.

The consortium was advised by a Weil team led by London private equity partner Marco Compagnoni in one of the largest private equity transactions of the year so far.

Linklaters acted for longstanding client RBS on the sale side, led by corporate partner Matthew Middleditch.

For the buyers, Norton Rose advised on regulatory aspects, with partner Jonathan Hebst leading. Kirkland & Ellis partner Stephen Gillespie advised the consortium on financing arrangements.

The Advent/Bain team saw off competition from a number of private equity bidders, including Warburg Pincus, advised by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and a Permira consortium, advised by Clifford Chance.