Vocalink will allow a competitor to use the Link cash machine network Gareth Fulle/PAMastercard’s £750 million takeover of Vocalink, which provides the infrastructure behind three of Britain’s leading payment platforms, has been cleared by the competition regulator. The Competiton and Markets Authority said that a package of measures offered by the companies to address its concerns about the Link cash machine network had removed the need for an in-depth investigation. The regulator had feared that the deal would give the credit card provider Mastercard too strong a hold over part of Britain’s payment systems and damage the negotiating position of the Link cash machine network. Andrea Coscelli, acting chief executive of the CMA, said in January: “The Link ATM network provides an essential service for millions of customers. It’s important that Link has a good choice of providers…

Source: The Times April 11, 2017 07:52 UTC