Global Payments vs Smile

Global Fintech Investments Surpass $100 Billion in H1 2026

According to KPMG's 'Pulse of Fintech H1'26' study, global fintech investments reached $103.1 billion in the first half of 2026, a 43% increase from the previous six months. This growth was driven by a few large deals, with the top ten transactions accounting for $64 billion (62% of total). The United States dominated with $80.8 billion (78% of global capital). In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), investments fell 37% to $11.3 billion, with Germany ranking second in the region at $1.6 billion, behind the UK's $2.5 billion. The payments segment attracted the most capital at $44.2 billion, largely due to Global Payments' $24.3 billion acquisition of Worldpay. AI-related fintech investments surged to $21.4 billion across 800 deals, nearly matching the full-year 2025 total of $23.6 billion. KPMG expects continued consolidation and a focus on scalable technologies and AI.

• Global fintech investments reached $103.1 billion in H1 2026, up 43% from H2 2025.
• The top 10 transactions totaled $64 billion, representing 62% of global investment volume.
• The US attracted $80.8 billion, accounting for 78% of global fintech investments.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for Global Payments (2026-08-05)

Global Payments reported its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2026, reflecting the major strategic transformation completed on January 9, 2026, which included the acquisition of 100% of Worldpay Holdco, LLC for approximately $17.0 billion and the divestiture of the Issuer Solutions business to FIS for $7.5 billion in cash plus FIS's equity stake in Worldpay. Consolidated Q2 2026 revenues grew 68.6% year-over-year to $3.32 billion, driven by the Worldpay consolidation across its new segment structure (Enterprise, Platforms, and SMB). Operating income fell 14.3% YoY in Q2 to $337.1 million due to elevated intangible amortization ($757.6 million) and integration expenses. A large tax expense of $1.70 billion recognized on the derecognition of non-deductible goodwill in the Issuer Solutions divestiture led to a net loss attributable to the company of $1.79 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2026.

• Q2 2026 consolidated revenue rose 68.6% YoY to $3.32 billion, while six-month revenue reached $6.29 billion, driven by Worldpay contributing $1.4 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively.
• The transformational Worldpay acquisition closed on January 9, 2026, for $16.98 billion in total purchase consideration, funded by cash, debt, and the simultaneous disposition of Issuer Solutions to FIS.
• For the six months ended June 30, 2026, the company recorded a net loss attributable to Global Payments of $1.79 billion (diluted loss per share of $6.58), impacted by $1.69 billion in discontinued operations net losses from divestiture tax expense.

Retail shifts to lean teams, AI and physical community

At a Brand Leaders Dinner hosted by Glossy and Modern Retail with Global Payments, founders and C-suite retail executives discussed how AI, hiring shifts, and the rising cost of awareness are reshaping retail operating models. Executives described moving AI from experimental marketing use cases to core business infrastructure — including building internal intelligence platforms that connect fulfillment, paid media and customer signals — and said that automation is changing hiring needs. Participants emphasized the continuing value of physical stores, events and community for discovery and retention, and debated strategies around creator marketing, affiliate programs and discounting on commerce channels. Concerns about employee resistance, data security and trusting AI outputs were raised, and several brands reported selectively avoiding consumer-facing AI creative because of negative consumer perceptions.

• The Brand Leaders Dinner was hosted by Glossy and Modern Retail in partnership with Global Payments and gathered founders and C-suite executives from fashion, beauty and retail.
• Multiple executives reported moving AI from experimental marketing to core business infrastructure, including one brand building an internal intelligence platform linking fulfillment, paid media, customer reviews and social conversations.
• AI adoption has affected hiring plans: executives said roles were removed after identifying automation and efficiency opportunities.

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Smile insurer targets older audience with new influencer campaign

Swiss online insurer Smile is shifting its marketing focus to an older audience while retaining younger customers. The company has added comedy couple Loredana and Kilian Bamert (known as “Saturday & Sunday”) and Basel content creator/moderator Pasquale Stramandino to its roster of advertising faces, while longtime partners Zeki and Naomi Lareine have departed. The summer-to-autumn campaign runs from 10 August to the end of October with TV spots across public and private broadcasters (SRF, RTS, 3+, RTL, Pro7, Sat.1, TF1), complemented by out-of-home posters (10–23 August), megaposters through 6 September, and digital activity including Instagram. Smile continues to sponsor the Smile Swiss Influence Award and its Newcomer Award, which gives emerging creators a role in national TV campaigns.

• Smile added the comedy pair Loredana and Kilian Bamert (Saturday & Sunday) and Pasquale Stramandino as new advertising faces.
• Longtime partners Zeki and Naomi Lareine have left Smile's influencer roster.
• The campaign runs from 10 August to end of October with TV spots on SRF, RTS, 3+, RTL, Pro7, Sat.1 and TF1.