D&B's Australian and New Zealand operations sold to Archer Capital

Private equity investor Archer Capital will acquire the Australian and New Zealand business of credit reporting agency Dun & Bradstreet.

Archer's Credit Data Solutions take over D&B's Australasian business and will become a partner within D&B's worldwide network, which includes 25 partner organisations.

D&B said in a statement on Friday that the change would give it a greater business-to-business focus. Most of D&B's Australasian business is in consumer credit reporting, which is out of step with its global profile.

D&B has been through a number of ownership changes in Australia and New Zealand over the years.

The business was sold to management in a buyout in 2001. In 2010 it was sold back to its parent, Dun & Bradstreet Corp, for A$233 million.

Archer is paying $200 million in the latest deal, according to reports.