M&A transactions may be stalling due to GDPR compliance concerns

From helpnetsecurity.com

An increasing number of M&A transactions may be stalling because of concerns over GDPR compliance, according to a survey of EMEA M&A professionals conducted by Merrill Corporation.

GDPR compliance concerns

Overall, the survey highlights the significant role due diligence plays in determining M&A success, while providing insight into the challenges faced by M&A professionals today. The implementation of the GDPR stood out as a major hurdle for mergers and acquisitions, with more than half of respondents (55 percent) citing the compliance and data protection employed by the target company as a primary reason a transaction did not progress.

Additionally, 66 percent of those surveyed believe that GDPR will increase acquirers’ scrutiny of the data protection policies and processes of target companies, further complicating the deal-making process.

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