Private investment firm J.C. Flowers has agreed to acquire Pepper Advantage, a credit management firm operating across Europe and Asia.
Pepper Advantage is currently owned by financial services company Pepper Global.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Based in the UK, Pepper Advantage is a global credit intelligence company providing a suite of data-driven credit management services through its advanced technology platform.
Managing $55bn in assets, the company operates across diverse asset classes, including residential and commercial mortgages, real estate, SME loans, asset finance and leasing, auto and consumer loans, credit cards, retail finance, and BNPL.
Additionally, Pepper Advantage offers outsourced operational support to a range of financial and non-financial clients.
The company also supports investors, financial institutions, fintechs, and banks in optimising their credit portfolios, reducing system costs and complexities, and facilitating new non-bank lending.
Pepper Advantage group CEO Fraser Gemmell said: “We are delighted to join forces with J.C. Flowers & Co. as we embark on the next phase of our growth strategy.
“Their extensive experience and resources will provide us with the support we need following a period of prolonged success under the ownership of Pepper Global and will help us enhance our offering.”
The transaction is expected to become a significant milestone for Pepper Advantage as it prepares to enter a new phase of growth.
Upon the completion of the proposed deal, Pepper Advantage is expected to maintain its operational independence, with the current management team.
Founded in 1998, J.C. Flowers has committed over $18bn in capital, including co-investments, across 66 portfolio companies in 18 countries.
Its diverse portfolio spans various industry subsectors, including banking, insurance and reinsurance, securities firms, speciality finance, as well as asset management and financial services.
J.C. Flowers managing director Peter Yordán said: “We believe Pepper Advantage is a leader in the international credit management space, and together with its management team, we will work to capitalise on emerging opportunities and drive continued operational excellence at the company.”
Subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions, the transaction is anticipated to be completed in Q1 2025.
