Callcredit accelerates international expansion with acquisition of leading Spanish fraud and anti-money laundering software solutions business
Callcredit Information Group, backed by private equity firm, GTCR, has acquired the Spanish Confirma group of companies, comprising Confirma Sistemas and Soluciones Confirma, which specialise in fraud prevention and anti-money laundering (AML) software solutions.
The strategic acquisition, sees Callcredit take a majority shareholding in the Madrid-headquartered business which is a leader in Spain in what is an increasingly technology-led and rapidly growing market. Callcredit entered the Spanish market in 2015 and has been developing its business and expansion plans following this initial success.
The acquisition, which will form part of the Callcredit Spain operation, establishes a firm market presence and a platform for further expansion. It will accelerate international growth and the development of Callcredit’s fraud prevention and risk management business and will enable it to offer its additional industry-leading fraud solutions to a wider client base.
Callcredit Spain will be headed by Juan Antonio Villegas who is a veteran of the industry having served as a former Director General of Experian and Trans Union España.
Callcredit is looking to invest in and grow Confirma, which already boasts an impressive client roster which includes over 40 clients amongst which are both domestic and international banks, consumer lending institutions and insurance companies.
This is Callcredit’s third acquisition in less than 18 months, having bought customer experience specialist, Numero, in March 2016 and device fraud protection firm, Recipero, in September 2016.
Commenting on the announcement, Mike Gordon, CEO, Callcredit Information Group, said: “There is a real momentum within the business at the moment. As a Group we have a focused strategy and international expansion is a key component of this.
“Spain represents a significant opportunity for Callcredit and its future growth. The acquisition of Confirma and the appointment of Juan Antonio Villegas as an experienced country head gives us a firm presence in the market and brings a unique offering which complements our wider proposition. Confirma has an impressive roster of over 40 clients, including leading banks and consumer finance organisations.
“Callcredit Information Group is continuing to develop its fraud prevention and risk management capabilities and this acquisition complements our core proposition of delivering technology enabled data solutions.”
About the acquisition
Confirma group of companies (Confirma Sistemas de Información, S.L. and Soluciones Confirma ASNEF-SIGNE, S.L.) has two primary lines of business: market-leading fraud risk solutions to consumer finance organisations, retailers and banks to support their decisioning processes and detect fraud at the time of credit application; and global anti-money laundering (AML) software solutions to those entities regulated by the Spanish Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 10/2010. It operates in sectors which are complementary to Callcredit Information Group, including banking, insurance, consumer finance, retail, financial technology, telecommunications and utilities.
As part of the acquisition, the entire Confirma team is expected to stay in place, with the aim of growing the business as Callcredit continues to invest in its offering within the geography.
Callcredit engaged BDO Spain as financial advisors and Écija as legal advisors on this transaction.
