Priority Technology Holdings, a payments and banking solutions provider, announced Monday it has agreed to be taken private in a $1.6 billion deal led by Chairman and CEO Thomas Priore, marking one of the largest fintech buyouts of 2026.

The transaction values Priority at approximately $1.6 billion on an enterprise-value basis, with the investor group offering $8.05 per share — a 65% premium to the company's closing price before the announcement. The deal represents a significant bet by Priore that the Alpharetta, Georgia-based company can unlock greater value away from the scrutiny of public markets.

Why Go Private?

Priority Technology's board unanimously approved the agreement, signaling confidence in Priore's vision for the company's future. Going private offers several strategic advantages: the ability to make long-term investments without quarterly earnings pressure, flexibility to restructure operations, and insulation from market volatility that has battered many fintech stocks over the past two years.

The fintech sector has faced headwinds as rising interest rates squeezed valuations and investors rotated away from growth stocks. Many public fintech companies have seen their share prices plummet from pandemic-era highs, creating opportunities for private equity and CEO-led buyouts to take companies private at attractive valuations.

A Proven Leader in Payments

Priority Technology specializes in streamlining payment collection and revenue processing for businesses, offering a suite of merchant services, consumer lending, and banking solutions. The company serves a diverse customer base across industries, from small businesses to large enterprises, positioning itself as a critical infrastructure player in the digital payments ecosystem.

Under Priore's leadership, Priority has expanded its product offerings and grown its merchant base, though profitability has remained elusive as the company invested heavily in technology and customer acquisition. The go-private transaction gives Priore the runway to execute a turnaround strategy without the pressure of public market expectations.

The Deal Structure

The investor group led by Priore includes undisclosed financial partners, likely a combination of private equity firms and debt financing. CEO-led buyouts, while less common than traditional private equity takeovers, have gained traction in recent years as executives with deep industry knowledge seek to capitalize on market dislocations.

For Priority's shareholders, the 65% premium represents a substantial return, particularly for those who bought shares during the company's post-pandemic decline. The deal is expected to close in the coming months, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Fintech's Private Equity Wave

Priority Technology's buyout reflects a broader trend in the fintech sector. As public market valuations have compressed, private equity firms and strategic buyers have swooped in to acquire undervalued assets. Companies that struggled to achieve profitability in the public spotlight are finding second chances under private ownership, where patient capital and operational expertise can drive long-term growth.

The question now is whether Priore can deliver on the promise. Taking a company private is the easy part; generating returns for investors while navigating a challenging macroeconomic environment is where the real work begins. For Priority Technology, the clock starts now.

If the deal succeeds, Priore will have validated his thesis that Priority's best days lie ahead — just out of the public eye. If it falters, it will serve as another cautionary tale about the risks of CEO-led buyouts in a sector still searching for its footing after the pandemic boom.