Marex secures Hamilton Court purchase: An inside look at the FX payment transaction
In a significant move that signals the evolving landscape of B2B services, particularly in the cross-border payments sector, financial services platform Marex has announced the acquisition of FX provider Hamilton Court Group. The deal, which was closed this week, marks a significant move for non-bank providers in the FX services market.
Founded in 2005, Marex provides liquidity, market access, and infrastructure services to blue-chip clients, including corporates, banks, and trading houses. Established in 2011, Hamilton Court Group offers FX services to mid-sized UK and Europe-based corporates.
The acquisition discussions involved Marex Chief Strategist Paolo Tonucci and Hamilton Court Group CEO Tony Keterman. The key benefits and strategic rationale behind the deal focus on expanding Marex’s foreign exchange (FX) capabilities and geographic footprint, while diversifying its revenue streams in the growing B2B cross-border payments market.
One of the primary advantages of the acquisition is the expansion of FX services. Hamilton Court's expertise in FX for mid-sized UK and European corporates complements Marex’s existing offerings to blue-chip clients, enhancing the overall platform FX capabilities and product range.
Another benefit is geographic diversification. The acquisition brings about 170 employees in critical financial centers including London, Milan, Madrid, and Toronto, broadening Marex’s global presence and operational reach across major B2B cross-border payment corridors.
Moreover, integrating Hamilton Court enables Marex to reduce reliance on traditional income streams by augmenting FX-related revenues, aligned with Marex’s strategic objective to diversify earnings sources across its financial services platform.
The deal also provides Marex with access to Hamilton Court’s established mid-market corporate clients in Europe, creating opportunities to cross-sell and attract new customers onto the broader Marex platform.
The acquisition is part of a broader trend of M&A strategies in the cross-border payments market, aimed at expanding services and gaining market share. It is also an example of banks and non-bank financial services providers evolving their cross-border services to meet a growing opportunity.
However, the deal's impact on the overall FX and cross-border payments market will depend on factors such as regulatory response, client reaction, and market conditions. The success of this acquisition could set a precedent for further acquisitions in the FX and cross-border payments market.
The acquisition represents an opportunity for Marex to strengthen its position in the FX and cross-border payments market. By positioning itself as an agile, non-bank alternative to traditional banking institutions, Marex aims to leverage technology and tailored services to meet evolving market demands in cross-border FX payments.
This strategic move supports Marex’s broader ambition of building a leading integrated financial services platform serving corporates and institutional clients worldwide. The acquisition is part of a shifting picture of B2B services in 2025, reflecting an adaptation to macroeconomic factors and industry shifts toward seamless, cost-efficient cross-border payment solutions, capturing growth potential in this expanding market segment.
Investing in Hamilton Court Group will allow Marex to diversify its revenue streams in the growing B2B cross-border payments market, particularly through expanding its foreign exchange (FX) capabilities and geographic footprint. The acquisition also provides Marex with access to Hamilton Court's established mid-market corporate clients in Europe, creating opportunities to cross-sell and attract new customers onto the broader Marex platform.
