Marsh & McLennan to Buy Kroll

Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc., New York, will acquire Kroll Inc., New York, as part of a strategic move to broaden its risk and insurance services and enhance its market share in risk management services.Kroll Inc. acquired Factual Data in August 2003, and the Credit Network in March 2004. Under the definitive agreement, MMC will acquire Kroll in an all-cash, $1.9 billion transaction in which Kroll shareholders will receive $37 for each outstanding share of Kroll common stock they own, Kroll said. The price to be paid by MMC represents a 31.7% premium over Kroll's closing stock price of $28.10 on the Nasdaq National Market on May 18. The deal was unanimously approved by both MMC's and Kroll's board of directors. Upon completion of the transaction, Kroll will become part of Marsh Inc., MMC's risk and insurance services subsidiary, Kroll said. Jules Kroll, founder and executive chairman of Kroll, will be named a vice chairman of Marsh Inc. as part of the agreement. The companies can be found on the Web at http://www.mmc.com and http:// www.krollworldwide.com.