TransUnion to Acquire 68% of Buró de Crédito by Late 2025

TransUnion, a global credit reporting agency, has announced its acquisition of a 68% stake in Buró de Crédito, Mexico’s leading consumer credit bureau. Valued at MX$16.8 billion (US$818 million), the transaction increases TransUnion’s ownership in the entity from 26% to 94%. The deal excludes Buró de Crédito’s commercial credit business and is subject to regulatory approvals, including clearance from Mexico's Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) and the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV).

TransUnion, which has been a technology provider and held board seats at Buró de Crédito for over two decades, will fund the acquisition through a combination of debt and cash on hand. According to Chris Cartwright, President and CEO, TransUnion, the acquisition aligns with the company’s mission to foster financial inclusion and enhance consumer trust in global commerce.

“Credit bureaus are a catalyst for financial inclusion,” said Cartwright. “We are excited for the opportunity to bring our state-of-the-art technology, innovative solutions, and industry expertise to Mexican consumers and businesses.”

The acquisition is expected to generate approximately US$145 million in revenue and US$70 million in adjusted EBITDA for 2024. It is also projected to be accretive to adjusted diluted earnings per share in the first year of majority ownership. The deal will position TransUnion as the largest credit bureau in Spanish-speaking Latin America.

Carlos Valencia, Regional President, TransUnion Latin America, announced the company’s plans to introduce advanced products to the Mexican market. These include trended and alternative credit data, fraud mitigation solutions, and consumer engagement tools, as well as expanding services to adjacent sectors like fintech and insurance.

The selling shareholders include major banks operating in Mexico, such as BBVA (16%), Santander (16.7%), Banorte (5%), HSBC (5.8%), and Scotiabank (6.7%). Santander stated that the sale of its stake in Buró de Crédito reflects its strategy to focus on core business areas.

Mexico, the second-largest economy in Latin America, has seen significant growth in consumer credit over the last decade, with credit penetration rising from 34% to 42% of GDP between 2013 and 2023. Despite this progress, credit access remains lower compared to other Latin American nations, providing an opportunity for TransUnion to drive financial inclusion.

The integration of TransUnion’s global operating model will enhance services in Mexico while supporting the country’s digital transformation, according to Valencia. He also sought to dispel misconceptions about credit reporting systems. “The Buró de Crédito is not a ‘blacklist,’ but a tool that records both positive and negative credit information. Over 80% of credit reports in Mexico are positive,” he said.

TransUnion plans to invest in advanced credit analysis technologies, strengthen data security, and promote financial education. These measures aim to improve consumer understanding of credit reports and expand access to financial services.

While the acquisition promises advancements, challenges remain, including the perception of credit bureaus as obstacles rather than tools. Additionally, Mexico’s credit penetration still lags behind regional benchmarks. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, contingent on regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.