KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 23): RAM Holdings Bhd has sold its 33.15% stake in associate company RAM Credit Information Sdn Bhd (RAMCI) to global information services company, Experian plc's Malaysian unit, Experian (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

Following the acquisition, RAMCI, a consumer and business information bureau founded in 2000 that provides credit, reports, alerts and monitoring — primarily to financial institutions — will be rebranded Experian in two months.

"The acquisition of a controlling interest in RAMCI further extends Experian's position in Asia Pacific, adding a fourth credit bureau to our operations in the region. It extends our position in Malaysia, an economy seeing rapid expansion, with a population of 32 million.

"Experian has a long history of investment and commitment to Malaysia, given our existing investments in our global delivery centre with its 800 employees, as well as our recent investment in Jirnexu which runs RingitPlus, Malaysia's leading financial comparison website. By combining Experians world leading technology and platforms together with RAMCI's data and local knowledge, we will better serve consumers and businesses in Malaysia," Experian Asia Pacific CEO, Ben Elliot, said in a statement today.

Experian sees the acquisition as a key step for it to accelerate its market presence in Malaysia, with RAMCI as its Malaysian data arm.

The acquisition is expected to fast-track Experian's overall offering in Malaysia and create more synergies across its portfolio. "RAMCI will be reported within our EMEA/Asia Pacific Business-to-Business segment (under Data)," the company added.