TransUnion To Acquire RealNetworks' Mobile Unit

Acquisition strengthens TransUnion’s communications solutions portfolio and expands fraud prevention capabilities

CHICAGO, Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TransUnion has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the mobile division of RealNetworks, a strategic move designed to make mobile communications safer and more reliable for businesses and consumers. This acquisition is expected to augment TransUnion’s capabilities with advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies and real-time analytics of text, multi-media messages and phone calls to reduce fraud and help improve customer engagement.

“Mobile phone fraud exceeds $80 billion annually worldwide. TransUnion’s leading fraud solutions help protect businesses and consumers, and restore trust in phone communications,” said Mohamed Abdelsadek, Chief Global Solutions Officer, TransUnion. “We expect that this acquisition will extend TransUnion’s sophisticated voice channel capabilities to messaging, strengthening how we combat fraud and help consumers and businesses connect with greater confidence.”

“For nearly 20 years, our worldwide mobile team has delivered advanced, AI driven technologies that help protect consumers by reducing fraud and supporting trusted communications,” said Rob Glaser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, RealNetworks Group. “Over the past eight years, our KONTXT® messaging platform has protected hundreds of millions of consumers by blocking the delivery of over eight billion spam and scam messages. We’re pleased this innovative work will continue and will contribute to TransUnion’s ongoing efforts to enhance consumer protection globally.”

TransUnion anticipates that RealNetworks’ mobile division will bring strategic relationships and network integration experience with leading telecom service providers worldwide. Its solutions help identify fraudulent messages and calls and enable carriers to offer secure branded calls. The technology also detects synthetic and cloned voices during calls, further reducing fraud risk.

TransUnion’s fast-growing Trusted Call Solutions help businesses reach more customers and build trust by adding verified brand information such as business name, logo and call reason, blocking fraudulent calls and providing assurance that calls are authentic. By integrating RealNetworks’ complementary technology, TransUnion expects to offer a broader suite of voice, messaging and analytics tools to help organizations in financial services, insurance, healthcare, public sector, telecommunications and other industries communicate more securely and effectively with their customers.

“TransUnion is revolutionizing inbound and outbound communications,” said James Garvert, SVP of Communications Solutions, TransUnion. “The addition of the RealNetworks platform is the next step for us as we enable enterprises and carriers to reach more consumers, deliver an improved experience and lower fraud risk.”

RealNetworks’ mobile capabilities are expected to strengthen TransUnion’s competitive position in the communications solutions marketplace and open new revenue opportunities in new markets. In recent months, leading European mobile operators have deployed RealNetworks’ technologies to protect millions of consumers from fraudulent calls, while enabling branded calls from legitimate businesses. This acquisition reinforces TransUnion’s commitment to innovation and leadership in fraud prevention and trusted communications.

The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. The transaction is expected to be funded with existing cash-on-hand and is not expected to have a material impact on leverage, liquidity or TransUnion’s 2026 operating results. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

About TransUnion

TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world. http://www.transunion.com/business

About RealNetworks

Building on 30+ years of digital media innovation, RealNetworks creates AI-powered products that enhance and secure our daily lives. Real's portfolio includes:SAFR®, a unified computer vision platform for enterprise security and access control; GameHouse®, a mobile games business delivering great games for women; and RealPlayer®, the iconic media player reimagined with AI. Learn more at www.realnetworks.com

TransUnion Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of TransUnion’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Any statements made in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning anticipated benefits of the transaction, including strategic, business and to our results of operations, the expected timeline for completing the transaction, expected sources of funding for the acquisition, and descriptions of our business plans, prospects and strategies.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include: failure to realize the synergies and other benefits expected from the proposed acquisition of the mobile division of RealNetworks LLC; the risk that required regulatory approvals are not obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; the failure of any of the closing conditions in the definitive purchase agreement to be satisfied on a timely basis or at all; delay in closing the proposed acquisition; the possibility that the proposed acquisition, including the integration of the mobile division of the RealNetworks LLC, may be more costly to complete than anticipated; business disruption during the pendency of the proposed acquisition and following the acquisition closing; potential business uncertainty, including adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement, pendency or completion of the acquisition; the effects of pending and future legislation and regulatory actions and reforms; macroeconomic and industry trends and adverse developments in the telecommunications software and services, debt, consumer credit and financial services markets and other macroeconomic factors beyond TransUnion’s control; risks related to TransUnion’s indebtedness, including our ability to make timely payments on principal and interest and our ability to satisfy covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness; and other one-time events and other factors, including those found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and any subsequent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available on TransUnion’s website. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this press release in the context of these risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.

Recognition in the 2026 Future Digital Awards reflects excellence in telco innovation

CHICAGO, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TransUnion has been named a 2026 Future Digital Awards Gold Winner for Best Branded Call Solution in the Telco Innovation Awards Category, presented by Juniper Research. 

The award celebrates the industry’s most forward-thinking companies in roaming, messaging, networks and/or fraud prevention. Juniper Research is a global tech strategist firm providing research, data, and forecasting across the fintech, telecoms and IoT sectors. 

“The explosive growth of branded calling across the world is a clear indicator it works when it comes to helping businesses enhance outreach and protect themselves and consumers from fraud,” said James Garvert, senior vice president, TransUnion Communications Solutions. “We’re honored to receive this award, and proud to be part of the solution when it comes to restoring trust in the phone.” 

TransUnion’s Branded Call Display allows businesses to establish trust with their customers by showing a verified name, logo, and reason for call. In addition, TransUnion verifies calls with end-to-end STIR/SHAKEN call authentication to help ensure they are legitimate and not spoofed. 

TransUnion customer Newzip saw significant improvements to customer contact rates for its real estate platform after adopting Branded Call Display. 

“The phone channel is important to our business. In fact, it’s the highest converting channel we have,” said Adi Pavlovic, CEO and Co-founder of Newzip. “When we implemented Branded Call Display, we saw a 25% increase in answer rates with pre-approved customers, and close to 137% increase in answer rates with earlier funnel customers.” 

TransUnion’s Branded Call Display also received the following honors in 2025: 

• TMC Communications Solutions Product of the Year 
• Stevie Winner (Silver) for Technology Excellence:Technology of the Year 
• Internet Telephony Excellence Award 
• The Fast Mode Awards:Digital Identity Innovator 

Learn more about TransUnion’s Trusted Call Solutions here.

About Juniper Research

Juniper Research is a global tech strategist firm providing research, data, and forecasting across the fintech, telecoms, and IoT sectors. For over 20 years, Juniper Research has delivered actionable insights that help industry leaders navigate disruption, seize opportunities, and make confident strategic decisions.

https://www.juniperresearch.com

About TransUnion

TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world. http://www.transunion.com/business

Approximately five million Canadian households rent their homes1; rental payments on credit reports could help millions showcase responsible payment behaviour, marking a major step forward in financial inclusion

TORONTO and CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TransUnion and Zenbase today announced a partnership to expand the availability of rental payment information within the credit reporting ecosystem, giving renters a new way to strengthen their TransUnion credit reports and broaden access to greater financial opportunities. Rental payment information will now appear on TransUnion credit reports as a dedicated category – separate from traditional credit obligations – so that timely rent payments help improve credit files without being treated as debt. This will help Canadians showcase their responsible payment behaviour beyond traditional measures.

TransUnion has long championed financial inclusion by helping Canadians gain expanded access to credit – an important pathway to building wealth – and remains a strong proponent of reporting information that more fully reflects a consumer’s payment history. By ingesting rental payment data and treating this information as distinct from traditional credit obligations, these payments will help strengthen credit reports without being classified as debt.

Through its direct integration with property management systems, Zenbase enables property managers to activate rent reporting with no added processes or administrative overhead. This facilitates the delivery of v rental data to TransUnion, while allowing residents to be recognized for their rent payment history.

“At TransUnion, we believe every Canadian should have the opportunity to build and showcase their credit history,” said Juan Sebastian D’Achiardi, Regional President, TransUnion Canada. “By partnering with Zenbase, we’re integrating rental data that helps demonstrate financial reliability. This rental information is kept outside the core credit file and treated separately, giving lenders valuable insights to make more informed decisions, while helping renters showcase consistent payment behaviour and improve access to financial opportunities, adequately reflecting rent for what it is and not classifying it as a traditional credit obligation.”

“At Zenbase, our mission is to improve the financial health of renters by turning their largest monthly expense into an opportunity to build credit,” said Koray Can Oztekin, CEO of Zenbase. “Now with TransUnion accepting our rental data, we’re giving residents the recognition they deserve for their responsible payment history to build credit, unlock capital, and participate fully in the economy."

About TransUnion

TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries, including Canada, where we’re the credit bureau of choice for the financial services ecosystem and most of Canada’s largest banks. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this by providing an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care.

Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

For more information visit: www.transunion.ca

About Zenbase

Zenbase is a Canadian financial health platform delivering the country’s only automated rent reporting and flexible rent payment solution. Guided by ESG principles, Zenbase is committed to advancing economic inclusion by empowering renters to take control of their financial futures.

For most Canadians, rent is typically the largest monthly expense, yet it doesn't contribute to building credit. Rent is also due on a fixed schedule, often misaligned with irregular pay cycles, unexpected expenses, and changing financial priorities. Zenbase addresses these challenges by turning rent into a tool for financial progress and flexibility.

Today, Zenbase is available in more than 200,000 homes across Canada, supporting a healthier and more inclusive financial ecosystem. Learn more at myzenbase.com.

Contacts

TransUnion:

Hyunjoo Kim

hyunjoo.kim@transunion.com

Zenbase:

Philipp Postrehovsky

philipp@myzenbase.com

1 Statistics Canada. Household characteristics. 2021 Census of Population. November 15, 2023.

Key Benefits of Rental Reporting:

• For tenants:Recognizes monthly rental payments to support credit-building efforts.
• For housing providers:Supports proactive rent management and fosters stronger rental relationships.

TORONTO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TransUnion and FrontLobby are joining forces to incorporate rental payment data from FrontLobby into TransUnion’s alternative data reporting system. This integration enables renters to have their consistent, on-time rental history more broadly reported, while offering housing providers greater visibility into tenant performance and confidence in their portfolios.

TransUnion has a long history of promoting financial inclusion and expanded credit access through credit reports that more fully reflect a person’s financial behaviour. Through this collaboration, rental payment information from FrontLobby will be added to TransUnion credit reports as a dedicated category – separate from traditional credit obligations – so that timely rent payments help build credit files without being treated as debt.

FrontLobby’s platform enables monthly reporting of rent payments, helping renters establish tenant records. Serving over 60,000 housing providers, representing more than one million rental units in Canada, FrontLobby’s members have reported up to a 92% reduction in delinquencies,* demonstrating how rent reporting can support better outcomes for both housing providers and renters.

“TransUnion is committed to helping every Canadian build and demonstrate their creditworthiness. Working with FrontLobby allows TransUnion to bring rental payment data into the credit ecosystem and more precisely reflect a person’s financial reliability,” said Juan Sebastian D’Achiardi, Regional President, TransUnion Canada. “Over five million Canadian households rely on rental housing,** yet historically those payments rarely contributed to their credit report. This collaboration helps close that gap by giving renters recognition for consistent payments, adequately reflecting rent for what it is and not classifying it as a traditional credit obligation.”

“By embedding FrontLobby rent payment transparency with TransUnion's credit ecosystem, we’re equipping housing providers with enhanced insights, tenant stability, and a competitive advantage,” said Zac Killam, CoFounder of FrontLobby. “Meanwhile, responsible tenants can begin to see the long-term benefits of their dependable payment behaviour reflected in their credit report.”

About TransUnion

TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries, including Canada, where we’re the credit bureau of choice for the financial services ecosystem and most of Canada’s largest banks. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this by providing an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care.

Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

For more information visit: www.transunion.ca

About Front Lobby

FrontLobby connects rent to credit. Its platform makes rent reporting accessible for both housing providers and renters, allowing rent payments to be reflected in renters’ credit profiles. The result is more transparent, consistent rental relationships for housing providers and meaningful recognition for renters, helping improve renting for everyone. http://frontlobby.com

* Front Lobby – Helping Housing Providers Run Successful Businesses: FrontLobby Rent Reporting Canada | Report Rent & Reduce Risk

** Statistics Canada. Household characteristics. 2021 Census of Population. November 15, 2023.

Contacts

TransUnion:

Hyunjoo Kim

hyunjoo.kim@transunion.com

Front Lobby:

Katie Glinski

kglinski@frontlobby.com

Consumer lending was strong in the fourth quarter, BMO Capital Markets analysts say in a research note, and that strength likely benefited credit bureaus and scoring companies such as Equifax, Fair Isaac and TransUnion. The analysts caution, however, that momentum may not carry cleanly into the coming year. "Our main concern on the 2026 guidance is lender affordability and the extent to which this could meaningfully reduce industry volumes as lenders pull less credit," they write. As a result, they are keeping estimates for the year conservative, rather than flowing through upside from the recent quarter, despite bullish commentary on the lending environment. (connor.hart@wsj.com)

By Nate Wolf

Fair Isaac and Equifax have often been targets of the Trump administration's ire, but they might benefit from the president's push to ease housing costs, one analyst says.

President Donald Trump said in a social media post Wednesday that he plans to ban institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes. Shares of single-family rental companies and home builders tumbled, while mortgage brokers surged on the idea that a "family-only" housing market would mean higher loan volumes.

FICO-score provider Fair Isaac and the credit bureaus barely reacted to the news. Shares of Equifax and TransUnion finished Wednesday up narrowly, while Fair Isaac slipped 1.2%. That struck Clear Street analyst Owen Lau as an opportunity for savvy investors.

"If the market believes mortgage volume will increase, it should also benefit these names," Lau wrote in a research note Thursday. Higher loan volume, he added, "drives incremental demand for credit reports, credit files, and FICO scores."

In the third quarter of 2025, mortgage-related activity accounted for 27% of total revenue at Fair Isaac and 21% at Equifax. It represents a smaller chunk of TransUnion's business. Clear Street estimates that a 10% jump in mortgage origination revenue in 2026 would boost adjusted per-share earnings by 5% for Fair Isaac and Equifax and 3% for TransUnion.

The muted responses to Trump's post may be due to the administration's hardline approach to the credit-scoring ecosystem, Lau suspected. Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has repeatedly expressed his displeasure with price increases by Fair Isaac and the credit bureaus.

There's also the not-insignificant matter of whether Trump's policies can actually reduce housing costs and spur homebuying activity. Clear Street says the administration plans to increase affordability by slashing mortgage rates and tempering housing prices, but those aren't simple goals.

Trump's next Federal Reserve chair won't be able to cut rates by himself, and mortgage rates don't hinge on the federal-funds rate anyway. On the pricing side, institutional investors with portfolios of 1,000 or more homes comprise just 2% of investor-owned single-family homes, according to real estate data platform BatchData.

Still, Lau thinks Trump's post on Wednesday could presage more aggressive actions in the months to come.

"Policymakers may expand their focus to include institutional ownership within the multifamily segment, where industry estimates suggest ownership levels reach mid-double-digit percentages in certain metropolitan areas," he wrote.

Clear Street reiterated Buy ratings for TransUnion and Fair Isaac stocks and a Hold rating for Equifax.

Write to Nate Wolf at nate.wolf@barrons.com

This content was created by Barron's, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. Barron's is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.