News hits the wire yesterday and is confirmed that BankRate has completed the purchase of both NetQuote and CreditCard.com.

With these purchases, BankRate continues its gain more market share in the lead generation industry.

DOW JONES LBO WIRE:

Personal-finance portal Bankrate Inc. is planning two big acquisitions, less than a year after being purchased by private equity firm Apax Partners.

Bankrate inked a $205 million deal to buy NetQuote Inc., which is backed by Spectrum Equity Investors LP and Stripes Group LLC. It agreed to pay $145 million for CreditCards.com, which Austin Ventures purchased in 2006 with financing from American Capital Ltd.

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According to BusinessWeek BankRate is looking to sell 5-year notes to raise $280m to acquire NetQuote.

Excerpt:

“BANKRATE INC., the online consumer personal finance network, may sell $280 million of five-year notes to help pay for the acquisition of NetQuote Inc. and CreditCards.com Inc., according to a person familiar with the transaction. Jeffries & Co. and RBC Capital Markets are managing the offering of notes, which are non-callable for three years and may be rated B2 by Moody’s and B by S&P, the person said.”

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