\nTrust is the key ingredient to conducting digital commerce. Central to creating trust in a digital world is the ability to prove your digital identity – who you are, whether you are interacting in person, online or in app.\n<\/p>\n
\nToday, Mastercard<\/a> (NYSE: MA) took steps to advance its identity verification efforts with the acquisition of Ekata<\/a> for US$850 million.\n<\/p>\n \nDigital identity is a foundational part of Mastercard\u2019s multi-layered approach to security. In 2019, the company introduced a new framework<\/a> on how digital interactions should evolve, as well as how digital identity will build trust, collaboration and economic growth. That framework is now in use across a number of sectors, from education to travel to healthcare.\n<\/p>\n \nEkata works with a wide range of global merchants, financial institutions, travel companies, marketplaces and digital currency platforms. The company uses insights to deliver unique scores, data attributes and risk indicators that businesses then use to make more informed decisions. They help their customers identify good consumers and businesses and bad actors in real-time during online account opening, payments and variety of other digital interactions.\n<\/p>\n \n“The shift to a more digital world requires real solutions to secure every transaction and instill trust in every interaction,” said Ajay Bhalla, president of cyber and intelligence solutions at Mastercard. “With the addition of Ekata, we will advance our identity capabilities and create a safer, seamless way for consumers to prove who they say they are in the new digital economy.”\n<\/p>\n \nEkata’s identity verification data, machine learning technology and global experience combined with Mastercard’s fraud prevention and digital identity programs will help businesses confidently know who their customers are and, in turn, help those customers safely interact online. Mastercard and Ekata’s integrated services will build on both companies\u2019 commitments to ensure trust and the responsible use of data.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cThe acceleration of online transactions has thrust global digital identity verification to the forefront as one of the biggest opportunities to build digital trust and combat global fraud,\u201d said Rob Eleveld, CEO at Ekata, Inc. “The right identity verification solutions enable inclusive and frictionless experiences while, at the same time, ensuring customer privacy, control and security. Becoming part of the Mastercard Identity family ensures a broader, collective approach to meeting the growing demands of the digital economy.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \nEkata is headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Amsterdam, Singapore and Budapest.\n<\/p>\n Delivering on the Strategy, Strengthening Value<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Commitment to Privacy, Responsibility –<\/b> Ekata shares Mastercard\u2019s commitment to safe and secure data practices centered around the individual, further reinforcing their value to the end user.\n<\/p>\n Strong Identity Technology –<\/b> Ekata has built a core set of identity verification services that helps to provide the backbone of the safety and security of everyday commerce. By bringing the capabilities, technologies and teams together, there is the potential to deliver even more trust and peace of mind, well beyond identity verification and identifying fraud trends.\n<\/p>\n Complementary Expertise –<\/b> The addition of Ekata’s technology and engineering teams will help bolster the support Mastercard can provide as a one-stop partner for any consumer, bank, merchant, fintech or government\u2019s data, payment and open banking needs. The combined capabilities across digital-first, installment and crypto payment services will help to enable greater choice and functionality, with the potential to expand further to real-time payments and cross-border activities.\n<\/p>\n \nTogether, Mastercard and Ekata will 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 authorized.\n<\/p>\n \nAs with past acquisitions, Mastercard does not expect this acquisition to be dilutive to its business for greater than 24 months. This dilution is driven by investments in the business, including the impact of purchase accounting and integration related costs.\n<\/p>\n \nThe transaction is subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions. It is anticipated to close within the next six months.\n<\/p>\n About Mastercard<\/b><\/p>\n \nMastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all. www.mastercard.com<\/a><\/p>\n About Ekata<\/b><\/p>\n \nEkata Inc, is the global leader in digital identity verification solutions that provide businesses worldwide the ability to link any digital transaction to the human behind it. The Ekata product suite is powered by the Ekata Identity Engine, comprised of two proprietary data sets \u00ad\u2014 the Ekata Identity Graph and the Ekata Identity Network. Ekata’s global suite of APIs and SaaS solutions help 2,000+ businesses and partners combat cyberfraud and enable an inclusive, frictionless experience in over 230 countries and territories.\n<\/p>\n Forward-Looking Statements<\/b><\/p>\n \nThis press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words \u201cbelieve,\u201d \u201cexpect,\u201d \u201ccould,\u201d \u201cmay,\u201d \u201cwould,\u201d \u201cwill,\u201d \u201ctrend\u201d and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to Mastercard\u2019s future prospects, developments and business strategies, as well as Mastercard\u2019s acquisition and operation of Ekata. We caution you to not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as they speak only as of the date they are made. Except for the company\u2019s ongoing obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws, the company does not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking information to reflect actual results of operations, changes in financial condition, changes in estimates, expectations or assumptions, changes in general economic or industry conditions or other circumstances arising and\/or existing since the preparation of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of any unanticipated events.\n<\/p>\n \nMany factors and uncertainties relating to the proposed transaction, our operations and our business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control, influence whether any forward-looking statements can or will be achieved. Any one of these factors could cause our actual results or the impact of the acquisition to differ materially from those expressed or implied in writing in any forward-looking statements made by Mastercard or on its behalf. Such factors related to the completion and impact of the acquisition include, but are not limited to, whether all necessary conditions will be met, and whether the transaction will close on agreed terms and in a timely manner.\n<\/p>\n \nFor additional information on other factors related to Mastercard\u2019s overall business that could cause Mastercard\u2019s actual results to differ materially from expected results, please see the company\u2019s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company\u2019s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and any subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.\n<\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20210419005519\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \nMastercard Investor Relations: Gina Accordino, investor.relations@mastercard.com<\/a>, 914-249-4565 KEYWORDS:<\/b> United States North America New York<\/p>\n INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Professional Services Data Management Security Technology Finance Networks Banking<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Mastercard Communications: Seth Eisen, Seth.Eisen@mastercard.com<\/a>, 914-249-3153
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Ekata: Beth Shulkin, Beth.Shulkin@ekata.com<\/a>, 206-679-2983\n<\/p>\n
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