<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-25-178065.txt : 20250811
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-25-178065.hdr.sgml : 20250811
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20250811170913
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-25-178065
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20250811
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20250811

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MeridianLink, Inc.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001834494
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	06 Technology
		EIN:				824844620
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-40680
		FILM NUMBER:		251202939

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 VENTURE, SUITE 235
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92618
		BUSINESS PHONE:		866-417-3274

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 VENTURE, SUITE 235
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92618

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	Project Angel Parent, LLC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20201202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d78981ddefa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>DEFA14A
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<DIV STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;
</DIV><DIV STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center><DIV STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</DIV></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:16pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SCHEDULE 14A </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section&nbsp;14(a) of the </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Amendment No. ) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center><DIV STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</DIV></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Filed by the Registrant &#9746; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Filed by a party other than
the Registrant &#9744; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Preliminary Proxy Statement </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B></B>&#9744;<B></B><B></B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only&nbsp;(as permitted by Rule
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-6(e)(2))</FONT> </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Definitive Proxy Statement </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Definitive Additional Materials </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9746;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Soliciting Material under <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">&#167;240.14a-12</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>MeridianLink, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply): </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9746;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">No fee required </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Fee paid previously with preliminary materials </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-6(i)(1)</FONT> and <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">0-11</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>LinkedIn </U></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We&#146;re thrilled to announce that we have entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Centerbridge Partners, L.P., a proven partner to financial
services and technology companies. This is a big step forward for MeridianLink and a credit to the past 25 years, in which we have transformed the Company into a market-leading cloud-native loan origination platform. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This transaction will position MeridianLink to unlock the potential of this company by accelerating product innovation, harnessing the power of AI and data,
and enhancing the delivery of exceptional customer experiences. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We encourage you to read more important information about this exciting transaction here:
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250811006732/en/MeridianLink-to-Be-Acquired-by-Centerbridge-Partners-for-%242.0-Billion.</FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This communication includes certain forward-looking statements about, among other things, the proposed acquisition of MeridianLink by Centerbridge (the
&#147;Transaction&#148;), including financial estimates and statements as to the expected timing, completion and effects of the Transaction. These forward-looking statements are based on MeridianLink&#146;s current expectations, estimates and
projections regarding, among other things, the expected date of closing of the Transaction and the potential benefits thereof, its business and industry, management&#146;s beliefs and certain assumptions made by MeridianLink, all of which are
subject to change. Forward-looking statements often contain words such as &#147;expect,&#148; &#147;anticipate,&#148; &#147;intend,&#148; &#147;aims,&#148; &#147;plan,&#148; &#147;believe,&#148; &#147;could,&#148; &#147;seek,&#148; &#147;see,&#148;
&#147;will,&#148; &#147;may,&#148; &#147;would,&#148; &#147;might,&#148; &#147;considered,&#148; &#147;potential,&#148; &#147;estimate,&#148; &#147;continue,&#148; &#147;likely,&#148; &#147;expect,&#148; &#147;target&#148; or similar expressions or
the negatives of these words or other comparable terminology that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. By their nature, forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and
depend upon future circumstances that may or may not occur, such as the consummation of the Transaction and the anticipated benefits thereof. These and other forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i)&nbsp;the
completion of the Transaction on anticipated terms and timing, including the possibility that MeridianLink&#146;s stockholders may not approve the Transaction and obtaining any regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other conditions to the
completion of the Transaction; (ii)&nbsp;the ability of Centerbridge and Merger Sub to obtain the necessary financing arrangements set forth in the commitment letters received in connection with the Transaction; (iii)&nbsp;the possibility that
competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; (iv)&nbsp;the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of regulatory approvals or actions, if any, (v)&nbsp;potential litigation relating to the Transaction that could be instituted
against Centerbridge and Merger Sub, MeridianLink or their respective directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (vi)&nbsp;the risk that disruptions from the Transaction will harm MeridianLink&#146;s
business, including current plans and operations; (vii)&nbsp;the ability of MeridianLink to retain and hire key personnel; (viii)&nbsp;potential adverse reactions or changes to business </P>
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relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; (ix)&nbsp;continued availability of capital and financing and rating agency actions; (x)&nbsp;legislative,
regulatory and economic developments affecting MeridianLink&#8217;s business; (xi)&nbsp;general economic and market developments and conditions; (xii)&nbsp;potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships, during
the pendency of the Transaction that could affect MeridianLink&#8217;s financial performance; (xiii)&nbsp;certain restrictions during the pendency of the Transaction that may impact MeridianLink&#8217;s ability to pursue certain business
opportunities or strategic transactions; (xiv)&nbsp;unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, pandemics, outbreaks of war or hostilities, as well as MeridianLink&#8217;s response to any of
the aforementioned factors; (xv)&nbsp;significant transaction costs associated with the Transaction; (xvi)&nbsp;the possibility that the Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or
events; (xvii)&nbsp;the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Transaction, including in circumstances requiring MeridianLink to pay a termination fee or other expenses;
(xviii)&nbsp;competitive responses to the Transaction; and (xix)&nbsp;the risks and uncertainties pertaining to MeridianLink&#8217;s business, including those set forth in MeridianLink&#8217;s most recent Annual Report on Form <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-K</FONT> and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">10-Q,</FONT> as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports filed by MeridianLink
with the SEC. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could
include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material impact on MeridianLink&#8217;s financial condition, results of operations,
credit rating or liquidity. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and MeridianLink does not undertake to and specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly release the results of any updates or revisions to
these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Additional Information and Where to Find It </I></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In
connection with the Transaction by and among MeridianLink, a Delaware corporation, Centerbridge, a Delaware limited liability company, and Merger Sub, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centerbridge, this communication is being
made in respect of the pending merger involving MeridianLink and Centerbridge. MeridianLink will file with the SEC a proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the &#8220;Proxy Statement&#8221;) relating to its special meeting of stockholders and may file or
furnish other documents with the SEC regarding the pending merger. When completed, a definitive version of the Proxy Statement will be mailed to MeridianLink&#8217;s stockholders. This document is not a substitute for the proxy statement or any
other document which MeridianLink may file with the SEC. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE PROXY STATEMENT REGARDING THE PENDING MERGER AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS
OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS AND DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN, IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PENDING MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The definitive proxy statement will be filed with the SEC and mailed or otherwise made available to
MeridianLink&#8217;s stockholders. MeridianLink&#8217;s stockholders may obtain free copies of the documents MeridianLink files with the SEC from the SEC&#8217;s website at www.sec.gov or through the Investor Relations portion of
MeridianLink&#8217;s website at https://ir.meridianlink.com/overview/default.aspx under the link &#8220;Financials&nbsp;&amp; Filings&#8221; and then under the link &#8220;SEC Filings&#8221; or by contacting MeridianLink&#8217;s Investor Relations
by <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">e-mail</FONT> at InvestorRelations@MeridianLink.com. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><I>Participants in the Solicitation </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">MeridianLink and certain of its directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from MeridianLink&#8217;s stockholders in connection with the Transaction. Information regarding MeridianLink&#8217;s directors and executive officers, including a description of their direct or indirect
interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the definitive proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April&nbsp;23, 2025 (the &#8220;2025 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement&#8221;),
and will be available in the Proxy Statement. To the extent holdings of MeridianLink&#8217;s securities by such directors or executive officers (or the identity of such directors or executive officers) have changed since the information set forth in
the 2025 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement, such information has been or will be reflected on the Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership on Form 3 or Statements of Changes in Beneficial Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional information
regarding the interests of MeridianLink&#8217;s directors and executive officers in the Transaction will be included in the Proxy Statement if and when it is filed with the SEC. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources
indicated above. These documents and the other SEC filings described in this paragraph may be obtained free of charge as described above under the heading &#8220;Additional Information and Where to Find It. </P>
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