MONTREAL (October 24, 2014) - Optimal Payments' president and chief executive officer Joel Leonoff and chief operating officer Danny Chazonoff were co-named the EY Entrepreneur Of The YearTM 2014 Quebec winners at last night's regional awards gala.

The awards program recognizes high-growth entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. A panel of independent judges selected the Quebec finalists.

Optimal Payments has a long-standing track record in delivering innovative and customized solutions for its customers, bringing together the payments, fraud and risk management and technology solutions required for today's fast moving market. Under Leonoff's and Chazonoff's tenure, the company has outperformed many of its peers as well as the FTSE All-Share Index. The share price has more than doubled this year, creating a company with a market capitalization in excess of $1 billion as of September 2014.

"Optimal Payments is a part of a competitive market directed by an ever-changing technological landscape and we strive to stay on the cutting edge of technology," said Joel Leonoff. "Together with Danny, we've leveraged our entrepreneurial spirits and innovative visions to build and operate one of the most driven and successful companies in the industry." 

"We are honoured to receive this award which recognizes not only our own entrepreneurial spirit, but also the broader culture of innovation at Optimal Payments," said Danny Chazonoff. "From new business acquisitions to new technological developments we've used our extensive knowledge of international payments and information technology to bring the most advanced products and services to companies across multiple industries around the world. "

Leonoff and Chazonoff will join the top entrepreneurs from the Pacific, Prairies, Ontario and Atlantic regions to compete for the national honour of Canada's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2014. The national winners will be presented at a gala celebration on November 25, 2014 in Toronto.

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

The 2014 Québec judging panel consists of Chris Arsenault, Associé directeur, iNovia Capital; Isabelle Bettez, Présidente, Entrepreneur Of The Year Technology Solutions category finalist 2011, Québec, and Présidente, 8D Technologies Inc.; Jean-Françoys Brousseau, Entrepreneur Of The Year Technology and Communications category winner 2013, Québec, and Président et chef de la direction, Outbox Holding CRB Inc.; Michel Gendreau, Entrepreneur Of The Year regional winner 2012, Québec, and Président, Garaga inc.; Nathalie Marcoux, Vice-présidente aux finances, Capinabel inc.; and Sam Scalia, Entrepreneur Of The Year Real Estate/Construction category winner 2009, Québec, and Président, Samcon inc.

About Optimal Payments Plc 

Optimal Payments is a global provider of online payment solutions, trusted by businesses and consumers in over 200 countries and territories to move and manage billions of dollars each year.  Merchants use the NETBANX® platform and services to simplify how they accept credit and debit card, direct-from-bank, and alternative and local payments; and the NETELLER® service to increase revenue and capture new customers.  Consumers use the multilingual and multicurrency NETELLER and Net+® Card stored-value offering to make secure and convenient payments. Optimal Payments Plc is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM, with a ticker symbol of OPAY.  Subsidiary company Optimal Payments Ltd is authorised and regulated as an e-money issuer by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 900015).

For more information on Optimal Payments visit www.optimalpayments.com or subscribe at http://www.optimalpayments.com/media/email-alerts and on Twitter.

For further information, including photography, contact:

Head of Investor Relations
Jessica Stalley
Optimal Payments Plc
+ 44 207 182 1707
investorrelations@optimalpayments.com

Media Contacts - Canada:
Erin Cudmore
Zenergy Communications
+1 416-591-5461
opay@zenergycom.com

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