By Michael Dabaie 



  NICE Actimize said it agreed to acquire Guardian Analytics, an AI cloud-based financial crime risk management solution provider. 


  NICE said the combination will extend its offering across the entire financial services sector. 


  "Today, NICE Actimize is taking a significant step forward in advancing the future of managing financial crime risk," Craig Costigan, NICE Actimize chief executive, said. "With criminals seeking to exploit the current environment, we need to make sure financial institutions and consumers are protected in a way that's cost-effective and intuitive." 


  The acquisition is expected to close in the latter part of the fourth quarter. 


  Write to Michael Dabaie at michael.dabaie@wsj.com