MeridianLink, a US-based provider of cloud-based software solutions for financial institutions, is set to be acquired by Centerbridge Partners in a transaction valued at approximately $2bn.
The all-cash deal will result in MeridianLink’s transition to a private company upon completion.
Shareholders of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)-listed MeridianLink will receive $20 per share, reflecting a 26% premium over the company’s closing share price on 8 August 2025.
MeridianLink, headquartered in Irvine, California, caters to financial institutions and consumer reporting agencies through its platform MeridianLink One. Its solutions facilitate digital lending, account opening, background screening, and data verification.
The deal with Centerbridge Partners has received unanimous approval from MeridianLink’s board of directors and is anticipated to finalise in the latter half of 2025.
Completion depends on shareholder approval, regulatory consents, and standard closing conditions. Approximately 55% of common stock shareholders have committed to voting in favour of this acquisition.
Centerbridge senior managing director Jared Hendricks and Centerbridge managing director Ben Jaffe said: “As the pace of change across the finance and tech sectors continues to accelerate, MeridianLink is uniquely positioned to help financial institutions enhance their digital lending and credit reporting capabilities to expand and deepen client relationships, unlock the potential of data and artificial intelligence (AI), and drive their growth.
“At Centerbridge, we have a proven track record of partnering with exceptional companies at the intersection of finance and technology to create value for customers and opportunities for employees.”
Following the acquisition, MeridianLink’s shares will be delisted from public stock exchanges.
MeridianLink president and CEO-designate Larry Katz said: “We are excited for the next chapter of innovation and growth with our partners at Centerbridge. Today’s announcement is a strong endorsement of our leading digital lending platform that serves nearly 2,000 community financial institutions and reporting agencies.
“Together with Centerbridge, we will unlock the potential of this company by accelerating product innovation, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and data, and enhancing the delivery of exceptional customer experiences.”
Advising MeridianLink in this transaction are Centerview Partners as the lead financial adviser and Goodwin Procter as legal adviser. J.P. Morgan Securities provided additional financial advice while Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher served as strategic communications adviser.
Centerbridge Partners is receiving financial advice from Goldman Sachs & Co and legal counsel from Kirkland & Ellis. Kekst CNC is acting as its strategic communications advisor.
Seperately, MeridianLink reported its second-quarter financial results for the period ending 30 June 2025. The company recorded revenue of $84.6m, marking an 8% increase from the previous year.
Revenue from lending software solutions rose by 12% to $68.7m. While operating income stood at $5.2m, or 6% of revenue, non-GAAP operating income reached $23m, representing 27% of revenue.
The quarter also revealed a net loss of $3m with adjusted EBITDA at $38.4m.
