ICE has agreed to buy the mortgage software provider for $85 per share in a mix of cash (80%) and stock (20%). The $10.5 billion in cash is expected to be funded with newly issued debt and cash on hand at the time of close. The agreement has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.
Jacksonville, FL-based Black Knight has about 6,500 employees.
ICE says the addition of Black Knight’s technology solutions, real estate and mortgage-related data assets, analytics, and its team of mortgage and technology professionals complements and strengthens ICE’s mortgage technology business.
"Black Knight has been on a successful journey to transform the mortgage industry by providing our clients with powerful, interconnected solutions that help them achieve greater efficiency and better serve their customers,” said Anthony M. Jabbour, Chairman and CEO of Black Knight. “We believe this combination is the right next step in that journey… By combining our expertise (with ICE), we can deliver significant benefits to our clients and consumers by improving and streamlining the process of finding a home, as well as obtaining and managing a mortgage.”
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2023, following the receipt of regulatory approvals, Black Knight stockholder approval, and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
