Snl Finance Company - Financial Business

SNL Financial, now known as S&P Global Market Intelligence, was a prominent company providing in-depth financial data and analytics to the financial services industry. Founded in 1987 by Reid Nagle, the company initially focused on the thrift industry (Savings and Loan institutions), hence the “SNL” moniker. Over time, SNL Financial broadened its scope to cover various financial sectors, including banking, insurance, real estate, energy, and media & communications.

SNL Financial distinguished itself through its meticulous collection and verification of financial data. They went beyond simply aggregating publicly available information. They invested heavily in building a team of analysts who actively sourced data, contacted companies directly, and performed rigorous quality checks. This commitment to accuracy and detail made their data highly valued by clients who relied on it for crucial investment decisions, competitive analysis, and regulatory compliance.

Their product offerings were diverse, catering to a wide range of needs. SNL provided comprehensive financial statements, detailed company profiles, transaction data (mergers & acquisitions, capital raises), regulatory filings, and market research reports. They also offered sophisticated analytical tools that allowed users to screen companies, create custom financial models, and generate reports based on specific criteria. These tools were essential for professionals involved in investment banking, private equity, asset management, and corporate finance.

The company’s success stemmed from understanding the specific data needs of each industry they covered. For instance, their banking data included granular details on loan portfolios, deposit structures, and branch networks. Their insurance data encompassed information on policy liabilities, underwriting results, and investment portfolios. This industry-specific focus allowed clients to gain deeper insights and make more informed decisions within their respective sectors.

SNL Financial also expanded through acquisitions, strategically adding data sets and analytical capabilities to enhance its offerings. They acquired companies specializing in areas such as real estate data, energy market intelligence, and media research, further solidifying their position as a leading provider of financial intelligence.

In 2015, McGraw Hill Financial (now S&P Global) acquired SNL Financial for $2.2 billion. This acquisition significantly expanded S&P Global’s data and analytics capabilities, particularly in the financial services sector. SNL Financial’s assets and expertise were integrated into S&P Global Market Intelligence, becoming a key component of their overall data and analytics offerings.

Although the SNL Financial name is no longer actively used, its legacy lives on within S&P Global Market Intelligence. The commitment to accuracy, detail, and industry-specific expertise that characterized SNL Financial remains a core value. The data sets and analytical tools developed by SNL Financial continue to be used by financial professionals around the world, providing valuable insights into the complex world of finance. The acquisition cemented S&P Global’s place as a dominant force in providing market intelligence and analytics to the global financial community.