PE Firm GTCR Is in Talks to Acquire Prepaid Card Company Blackhawk

GTCR is in talks to acquire prepaid gift-card provider Blackhawk Network, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Chicago-based private equity firm is discussing the terms of a transaction that would value Blackhawk at $4 billion to $5 billion including debt, said the people, who asked to not be identified because the information is private. Blackhawk owners Silver Lake Management and P2 Capital Partners had been seeking more than $5 billion for the company, and were also considering an initial public offering, Bloomberg News reported in April.