TransUnion Readies For Its Biggest M&A Deal With $3.1B Neustar Buy

In what will be TransUnion’s biggest acquisition deal to date, the consumer credit scoring company is getting ready to close a $3.1 billion deal for several divisions of the internet data information and analytics firm Neustar.

Neustar, now a new portfolio firm with a private investment group led by Golden Gate Capital, with minority participation by GIC, has agreed to sell its marketing, risk and communications business units to TransUnion, per a company announcement on Monday (Sept. 13).

Chris Cartwright, president and CEO of TransUnion, said in a Monday press release that as eCommerce continues expanding worldwide, TransUnion’s “powerful digital identity assets” will be complemented by Neustar’s unique capabilities. Cartwright pointed to Neustar’s “distinctive data and digital resolution” proficiencies that can help bring about “safer and more personalized” digital user experiences for individuals and businesses.

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One goal of the acquisition is to help drive TransUnion’s diversification plan, which includes building out its core credit tools with online marketing and fraud reduction. Neustar’s OneID platform is expected to streamline the digital identification tools TransUnion already has in place, including its TLO data assets and fusion platform; its iovation device reputation network; its digital marketing platform, Tru Optik; and others, according to the release.

“TransUnion and Neustar share a similar strategic vision, culture and focus on building innovative, identity-based solutions that enable trusted connections between companies and people,” said Charlie Gottdiener, president and CEO of Neustar. “The two companies’ complementary businesses, products and relationships will offer benefits for our combined customers, employees and other stakeholders across a diverse set of markets.”

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Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Neustar is anticipated to bring in about $575 million of revenue and $115 million of Adjusted EBITDA in 2021, according to the release. With Neustar, TransUnion said it anticipates expanded growth “through both material revenue synergies and increased participation in the fast-growing digital marketing and identity fraud marketplaces.”