LPA adds RegTech market leader Acarda to group

+++ Acarda, the specialist for integrated, regulatory and automated data management and reporting solutions will in future be operating under the umbrella of the LPA Group   

+++ This acquisition takes LPA into the growth segment of asset management and marks another milestone on its journey of international expansion

+++ The acquisition broadens the LPA proposition combining innovative CapTech and RegTech automation solutions for financial sector organizations worldwide

Frankfurt/Main, (08.09.2020) – The LPA Group (https://www.l-p-a.com), the European market leader in capital market technology (CapTech) and technology-centric transformation services for the financial world, today announces the acquisition of the Acarda Group. As one of the leading international solution providers for asset managers, fund administrators, insurance companies and banks, RegTech specialist, Acarda focuses primarily in the automation of regulatory reporting and in automated data management. One of the company’s USPs is the proprietary cloud-based SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) platform, arep. This automates the entire reporting process irrespective of the IT systems on which asset managers, service providers or insurance companies operate their business. In addition to European reports and data templates such as AIFMD, Solvency II, PRIIPS/MiFID II and CRR, arep covers country-specific reports, for example for BaFin, CSSF, FCA and BVI.  

The addition of Acarda will enable the LPA Group to enter the attractive digitalization and transformation business in asset management and increase its expertise and technical know-how in the field of automation. Founded in 2006, Acarda solutions are actively used by over 40 leading international organizations and employs around 50 people at locations in Frankfurt/Main and Luxembourg. As a result of the extensive expertise gained in asset management, the LPA Group can partner with more asset managers, insurers and fund administrators in addition to banks and financial services companies. In adding leading asset management companies in Germany, Luxembourg, France, Austria, UK and Ireland among others to its list of customers, LPA is once again underlining its ambitious international growth objectives. For the company, which also includes the CapTech Modelity, startup AAAccell, which has received many awards for its innovations, and EffCom. The acquisition of Acarda represents a further step toward becoming the global CapTech market leader.    

The accretive, add-on acquisition has already been preceded by a successful collaboration and test phase lasting several months. Since April 2020, the two companies have been working closely together, successfully exploiting sales synergies and setting up initial technology and interface projects. With a view to the future, LPA and Acarda plan to work closely on joint products and to develop further ancillary segments. The two managing directors of Acarda, Gerhard Jovy and Ali Karaca, will remain on board after the takeover by the LPA Group.         

Peter Schurau, CEO of the LPA Group: “Our aim is not only to help shape the global market for CapTech and technology-centric transformation services, but to lead it. Innovative IT transformation that can be implemented immediately is in high demand in the financial industry. That is why we want to grow not only organically, but also through acquisitions. I am therefore delighted about the transaction with Acarda because the company perfectly complements the LPA Group. From our very fruitful cooperation with Gerhard Jovy, Ali Karaca and their team in the past, we can expect further product innovations for the global financial world.” 

Stefan Lucht, co-founder and managing partner at LPA: “There is enormous potential for process automation not only in the capital market sector but also in the entire financial industry, both for users and for providers. With the acquisition of Acarda, we are proud to now be a highly competent solution provider for asset managers and insurers. Acarda’s automated reporting solutions provide real value for our customers worldwide and increase our footprint in the digitalization of time-consuming processes.”  

Gerhard Jovy, Managing Director Acarda: “In asset management in particular, there is increasing demand for a central software platform that covers regulatory requirements. And a succession of new requirements promises further growth potential. Combined with the technology and consulting expertise of the LPA Group, we will be able to serve customer needs in this segment even better in the future. We look forward to a successful collaboration and to developing new products and solutions together.   

About the LPA Group: The LPA Group is one of the world’s leading developers and consultants for technology-based capital market solutions (CapTech) for banks, insurance companies and fund providers. The core business of the multi-award-winning group is the CapTech suite, a portfolio of leading technology solutions for automated consultancy, sales and documentation for financial instruments, structured products and OTC derivatives. The products and services of the LPA Group help financial services companies in their capital market activities to automate their necessary advisory and regulatory documentation processes, thereby increasing their efficiency and achieving full compliance. One of the main LPA solutions, Capmatix, speeds up digital transformation within leading organisations by providing powerful and highly configurable modules that are used as building blocks that fit seamlessly into an existing digital infrastructure. The LPA Group also advises its customers on the strategic planning and implementation of CapTech solutions. At its headquarters in Frankfurt and at ten other international locations including Tel Aviv, London, Zürich, New York, Paris, Barcelona and Singapore, almost 400 technology and capital market experts are now working for a portfolio of international clients.