Cboe Global Markets : Intercontinental Exchange To Acquire Simplifile For $335M

Intercontinental Exchange To Acquire Simplifile For $335M

Benzinga Newsdesk      5/1/2019 4:40:10 PM

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE), a leading operator of global exchanges and clearing houses and provider of data and listings services, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Simplifile, LC. Simplifile operates one of the largest networks connecting the agents and jurisdictions that underpin residential mortgage records, serving as an electronic liaison between lenders, settlement agents, and county recording offices, streamlining the local recording of residential mortgage transactions. 

As a pioneer in helping its customers submit electronic documents into the public record, the acquisition of Simplifile expands the ICE Mortgage Services portfolio, which includes MERS. Simplifile and MERS support the residential lending industry's shift to digitization and will, together, help to make the mortgage closing process simpler, faster, and more transparent for a range of industry stakeholders. 

ICE will pay $335 million to acquire Simplifile, which is based in Provo, Utah and has no debt. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year, subject to the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. ICE does not expect the transaction to have any impact on its previously announced capital return plans. Upon closing, Simplifile, which has approximately 200 employees, will continue to be based in Provo and operate under the Simplifile name.