On February 28, 2024, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among First Advantage, Sterling Check Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Sterling”), and Starter Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of First Advantage (“Merger Sub”).

On October 31, 2024, following the satisfaction or waiver of the applicable closing conditions, including receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals, First Advantage completed its acquisition of Sterling, pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Sterling, with Sterling continuing as the surviving corporation in such merger and becoming an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of First Advantage. The Sterling stockholders received approximately $1,224.6 million in cash and 27.15 million shares of First Advantage common stock with a fair value of $507.7 million. The transaction extends First Advantage’s high-quality and cost-effective background screening, identity, and verification technology solutions for the benefit of both companies' customers across industry verticals and geographies. The cash-and-stock transaction values Sterling at approximately $2.2 billion and was financed through cash on hand and the issuance of new debt and common stock as described in Note 6, “Long-term Debt”.

Due to the limited amount of time since closing the transaction, the preliminary allocation of the purchase price is not yet complete. The initial purchase price allocation will be provided within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and we expect most of the purchase price will be allocated to goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. The acquisition will be accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations and Sterling’s results of operations will be consolidated in the Company’s financial statements effective November 1, 2024. Acquisition-related costs through October 31, 2024 were approximately $48.9 million and expensed as incurred.

On September 1, 2023, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interest of a digital identity and biometrics solutions company headquartered in New York, for $41.0 million. The acquired company operates under the trade name Infinite ID. The acquisition expanded the Company’s network and portfolio of identity solutions in the United States. The Company determined that the acquired company constitutes a business and the Company was deemed to be the acquirer under ASC 805. The Company recorded a preliminary allocation of the purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of September 1, 2023. The allocation was finalized as of June 30, 2024 with an immaterial adjustment recorded related to the valuation of deferred taxes.

The allocation of the purchase price is based on the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the consideration paid and the amounts recognized for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):


Consideration
Cash purchase price	$	41,000
Other transaction adjustments		97
Total fair value of consideration transferred	$	41,097
Current assets	$	1,335
Property and equipment, including software developed for internal use		5,959
Trade name		2,300
Customer lists		3,800
Other intangible assets		2,400
Other assets		236
Total liabilities		(1,084	)
Total identifiable net assets	$	14,946
Goodwill	$	26,151

Goodwill recognized is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Results of operations have been included in the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company’s Americas segment since the date of acquisition. The acquisition is not material to the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2024 or results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and therefore, pro forma operating results and other disclosures for the acquisition are not presented.