Navient Acquires Government Collection Firm Gila/Municipal Services Bureau

Navient (Nasdaq:NAVI)  announced last week that it has acquired Gila LLC. The Austin, Texas-based asset recovery and business process outsourcing firm focuses on the state and local government market, serving more than 600 clients in 39 states.

Navient, the student loan servicer and collector formerly under the Sallie Mae umbrella, is the parent company of ARM firm Pioneer Credit Recovery.

Commonly known as Municipal Services Bureau, or MSB, the firm provides receivables management services and account processing solutions for state governments, court systems and municipalities.

“This acquisition accelerates Navient’s growth in its services to state and local governments,” said John Kane, chief operating officer, Navient. “We share MSB’s strong commitment to client service and the highest standards of ethics and execution. This partnership enables us to offer enhanced value to state and local clients and to successfully recover revenues to fund important public priorities.”

“We’re delighted to partner with another leader in the field, and welcome the opportunity to grow with Navient and further invest in the services we provide to our clients,” said Bruce Cummings, CEO, Gila.

MSB will maintain its management team, headquarters location, and staff of approximately 400 people. The firm is expected to generate approximately $70 million in revenue in 2015. Founded in 1991, the firm was owned previously by Owner Resource Group, an Austin, Texas-based private investment firm. Lazard Middle Market served as financial advisor to Gila.

The addition of MSB complements Navient’s existing asset recovery and business process outsourcing services.