Global investment firm Centerbridge Partners has completed the acquisition of MeridianLink, a leading provider of software platforms for financial institutions and consumer reporting agencies. The deal includes a minority investment from Silversmith Capital Partners and it transitions MeridianLink from a publicly traded company to a privately held enterprise.
As part of the completed deal, MeridianLink shareholders will receive $20 in cash for each share of common stock they own. Following the transaction, the company’s common stock has ceased trading and will be officially delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.
The move comes as MeridianLink continues its evolution from a digital lending pioneer to a comprehensive technology partner for credit unions, community banks, and consumer reporting agencies.
With the backing of Centerbridge and Silversmith, the company plans to accelerate its innovation roadmap, with a particular emphasis on expanding automation capabilities, advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, and enhancing overall customer experience.
Founded with a mission to empower financial institutions through modern software solutions, MeridianLink’s platform is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive in the market, supporting key aspects of digital lending and account origination. The company’s next phase of growth will focus on deepening its relationships with community-focused financial organizations and driving innovation that strengthens the digital banking ecosystem.
Centerbridge Partners, known for its long-term investments in financial services and technology companies, will work closely with MeridianLink’s management team to expand the company’s footprint and scale its technology to serve a broader range of customers.
The partnership is expected to fuel continued modernization across the financial services landscape, as MeridianLink seeks to empower lenders of all sizes with tools that streamline workflows, improve consumer engagement, and promote financial inclusion.
Silversmith Capital Partners’ participation as a minority investor reinforces strong institutional confidence in MeridianLink’s potential. The firm, which has a track record of supporting technology providers in the banking and credit union sectors, sees the collaboration as an opportunity to help accelerate product development and strategic expansion within the industry.
With the transaction complete, MeridianLink enters a new chapter of growth and innovation, positioned to strengthen its role as a leading technology provider shaping the future of digital banking and lending.
Advisors: The Company’s lead financial advisor is Centerview Partners, and its legal advisor is Goodwin Procter. J.P. Morgan Securities also served as a financial advisor to MeridianLink. Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher is serving as strategic communications advisor to MeridianLink. Goldman Sachs is serving as financial advisor to Centerbridge, and Kirkland & Ellis is serving as its legal counsel. Kekst CNC is serving as strategic communications advisor to Centerbridge.
KEY QUOTES:
“MeridianLink has grown from a pioneer in digital lending to a market leader helping credit unions and community banks build and foster lasting relationships with consumers. We are excited to accelerate our digital lending trajectory with Centerbridge and Silversmith. Together we will unlock the potential of our trusted, mission-critical, and scalable platform by accelerating automation, harnessing the power of AI and data, and improving customer experiences.”
Larry Katz, President and Chief Executive Officer, MeridianLink
“MeridianLink is uniquely positioned to meet the digital lending needs of financial institutions of all sizes through its leading end-to-end platform of innovative and trusted technology solutions. We look forward to working with Larry and the MeridianLink team to support the Company’s next phase of innovation and growth as it continues to enhance the capabilities of its powerful platform, delivers even greater value to new and existing customers, and contributes to shaping a vibrant modern banking system.”
Jared Hendricks, Senior Managing Director, Centerbridge, and Ben Jaffe, Managing Director, Centerbridge
“At Silversmith, we’ve invested in technology providers to banks and credit unions for years, and we see significant opportunity in the space. What excites us most about MeridianLink is the opportunity to partner with Centerbridge in backing Larry and his team as they capitalize on their market leadership and push forward to expand the platform and drive continued innovation.”
Todd MacLean, Managing Partner, Silversmith Capital Partners
