Costa Mesa, Calif., 23 August 2004 – Experian®, a global information solutions provider, today announced that it has acquired Americas Software Corporation (ASC), a developer and marketer of regulatory compliance software systems which provides anti-money laundering solutions for banks and other financial institutions worldwide. The two companies will combine their existing products to create the full range of global solutions companies need for identity verification, fraud and money laundering detection and compliance with government regulations.
Federal regulations imposed by Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act require companies to develop and implement a customer identification program to protect US financial system from money laundering, terrorist financing, identity theft and other forms of fraud. In addition, financial institutions must screen customers opening new accounts to ensure they are not listed with the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Similar government regulations exist in many countries around the world.
Experian’s strength in customer identification programs will bolster ASC’s monitoring, screening and compliance technology to automate the detection, investigation and reporting of suspicious financial activity. Clients will benefit from reduced administrative burdens and costs associated with manual compliance.
“Americas Software is a leading provider of anti-money laundering software solutions and we’re proud to have it become a part of Experian,” said Rick Gallagher, president of Experian’s Fraud Solutions unit. “With an excellent management team, a strong international presence and formidable list of blue-chip clients, this acquisition furthers Experian’s and Americas Software’s position as a comprehensive global fraud and compliance solutions provider across a number of industries.”
ASC’s operations will continue to be located in Miami, FL, and current management and employees will be retained. The company will be a part of Experian’s Fraud Solutions business unit.
Experian and the Americas Software Corporation also will work together to market services to companies regulated by the USA Patriot Act, including those in the banking, automotive, real estate, brokerage and investment industries. Together, the two companies will have a stronger presence and customer base in several key markets in North America, Europe, Central America, Asia and the Middle East.
“Our reputation is built on flexibility, ability to work with multiple legacy systems, ease of implementation and ease of use by non-technical compliance personnel,” said John Daly, president, CEO and founder of Americas Software. “Combined with Experian’s global fraud prevention capabilities, internal sales resources and excellent management, we’ll be competing with industry players at the highest level.”
The acquisition is consistent with Experian’s global strategy of acquiring complementary businesses that provide new products, new data or entry into new vertical or regional markets, while leveraging the core assets of Experian.
Americas Software, headquartered in Miami, FL, helps financial institutions worldwide comply with international anti-money laundering regulations, including the USA Patriot Act. Founded in 1985, the company applies statistical analysis to account profiling and transaction trend monitoring software that helps banks, brokerage firms, insurance firms and other businesses detect, investigate, and report money-laundering activities.
Experian® is a global leader in providing information solutions to organizations and consumers. It helps organizations find, develop and manage profitable customer relationships by providing information, decision-making solutions and processing services. It empowers consumers to understand, manage and protect their personal information and assets. Experian works with more than 40,000 clients across diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail and catalogue, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, property, e-commerce and government. Experian is a subsidiary of GUS plc and has headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, Calif. Its 13,000 people support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales exceed $2.3 billion.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.experian.com.