First Data Corp. (NYSE:FDC), a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, and International Card Services (ICS), a leading Dutch card issuer and acquirer, have signed an agreement to launch an alliance for merchant and ATM acquiring in the Dutch market.

ICS currently has relationships with over 90,000 merchants in the Netherlands for the acceptance of Visa cards. The joint venture will further develop these relationships and also offer services to new merchants, taking advantage of First Data's proven technological and intellectual expertise in the area of merchant acquiring.

ICS has been operating a card issuing and acquiring business in the Netherlands since 1975. Arthur Smolders, general manager of ICS, commented: "In First Data, ICS has found an experienced, global partner with whom we can grow our acquiring business in the Netherlands. First Data has an attractive service offering and proven competence in merchant acquiring -- together we will be able to offer merchants a compelling service and price proposition."

Pam Patsley, president of First Data International, commented: "This alliance is an important element in our strategy to build our acquiring presence across Europe. ICS is a strong partner for our entry into the Dutch market and we look forward to building a dynamic and competitive business with them, delivering real benefits to merchants of all sizes. The alliance also provides us with an important opportunity to create synergies with other First Data businesses in the region."

About First Data

First Data Corp. (NYSE:FDC) is a leading provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. Serving 4.1 million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, First Data powers the global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses around the world to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment. The company's portfolio of services and solutions includes credit, debit, private-label, smart and stored-value card issuing and merchant transaction processing services; money transfer services; money orders; fraud protection and authentication solutions; check guarantee and verification services through TeleCheck; as well as Internet commerce and mobile solutions. Western Union and its subsidiary, Orlandi Valuta, together make up one of the world's largest money transfer networks with approximately 225,000 Agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories. The company's STAR Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 1.6 million ATM and retail locations. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.

About ICS

International Card Services (ICS) specialises in credit cards and is an independent player in the market. For 16 years, ICS has served the Dutch market and is a market leader in card issuing services providing services for Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards. According to European standards, ICS has 2.3 million credit card owners and is a significant player in the market.

ICS issues and promotes the use of credit cards. Additionally, the company administrates and handles credit card transactions and offers financial services to its clients. For example, the company offers a variety of insurance and revolving credit products and services.

Furthermore, ICS facilitates the acceptance of credit cards within the Netherlands. ICS has approximately 90,000 clients within its portfolio. Card-owners as well as merchants who accept Visa and MasterCard are offered an enhanced and professional advisory service 24/7.

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Contacts
First Data Corp.
Nabila Laarari Bulcaen, +33 1 53 21 30 33
Nabila.laarari@firstdata.com
or
Publicis Van Sluis Consultants
Ingeborg Klunder, +31 (0)20 30 55 900
i.klunder@pvsc.nl
or
ICS
Arthur Smolders, +31 20 6600 731