(LONDON) Katten Muchin Rosenman UK LLP announced today that it represented certain selling shareholders of Ekata, Inc., a leading provider of identity verification services that help businesses make more informed decisions during online account opening, payments and a variety of other digital interactions, in connection with Mastercard's acquisition of Ekata. The US$850 million deal closed 9 June.
Ekata's identity verification data, machine learning technology and global experience adds to Mastercard's fraud prevention and digital identity programs. The combined services will help businesses confidently know who their customers are and, in turn, help those customers safely interact online, while continuing to ensure trust and the responsible use of data.
The strategic acquisition will advance identity verification efforts to help merchants combat fraud while seamlessly ensuring privacy, control and security for customers who are making online transactions in today's digital commerce space. The integrated capabilities of Ekata and Mastercard will also deliver a more comprehensive identity service that can power real-time decision-making needs, from new account openings to helping merchants assess potential fraud before a payment transaction is authorised.
"We were delighted to assist with a transaction that brings the Ekata and Mastercard teams together so that they can further advance Ekata's solutions to help businesses prevent cyber fraud," said Katten partner Edward A. Tran, who led the firm's deal team. "It was a pleasure to help deliver a successful exit for the shareholders of Ekata."
The Katten team was led by London partner Edward A. Tran and also involved Chicago Financial Markets and Funds associate Timothy D. Kertland and London Corporate associates David Wood and Alex Taylor.
About Katten's Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity Practice
Katten's Corporate M&A/Private Equity team handles billions of dollars in business combinations each year, offering practical counsel and market insights to private equity funds, mezzanine funds, portfolio companies, family offices and independent sponsors, whether advising them on novel leveraged buyouts (LBOs), equity financings, add-on acquisitions, leveraged dividends, divestitures or other middle-market transactions. The practice has deep sector knowledge in health care, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, sports, financial services, investment funds, education, manufacturing, parking and transportation, publishing and media, and technology.
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Katten's Financial Markets and Funds practice spans the full breadth of the financial markets and funds industry — from global investment banks and other financial service providers to a wide range of investment managers, hedge funds, and private equity and other alternative funds to proprietary trading firms, global exchanges and trading platforms.
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About Katten
Katten Muchin Rosenman UK LLP is the London affiliate of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, a full-service law firm with nearly 650 attorneys in locations across the United States and in Asia. The London team has a wide range of experience covering real estate, mergers and acquisitions, general corporate and commercial, joint ventures, financial services and regulatory, employment, tax, construction, finance, litigation, and asset management.
