First Data Completes Acquisition of Credit Card Processing Unit from FinecoBank

DENVER, CO – First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, today announced it has completed the acquisition of the credit card processing business unit of FinecoBank S.p.A., part of Capitalia Group.

This transaction includes the acquisition of the processing facilities including software, employees and other processing capabilities used in the servicing of Fineco’s cardholder accounts, which Fineco will continue to own and manage.

“A strategic match for First Data, the acquisition of FinecoBank’s credit card processing unit expands and reinforces our operations in Italy and underscores our continued focus on growth in Europe,” said Pam Patsley, president of First Data International. “First Data is committed to offering efficient and reliable payments processing services around the globe.”

“We are sure that the choice to outsource activities related to credit card processing, keeping the issuing within FinecoBank, is the best possible solution. Selling this activity to First Data, a world leader in electronic commerce and payment services, provides our customers with service excellence in an increasingly competitive market,” said Alessandro Foti, chief executive officer (CEO), FinecoBank.

This acquisition follows on from the establishment of a First Data processing centre in Milan. Together, the First Data Italian operations and FinecoBank’s credit card processing unit will process more than 500,000 credit cards in Italy.

“We are pleased to add the strength and capabilities of the FinecoBank credit card processing unit to First Data in Italy as this is a key growth area for our business in Europe,” said David Yates, president, First Data International, Europe, Middle East & Africa Region. “This acquisition creates a new force in the Italian market, and provides First Data with the channel to deploy a full range of services to Italy’s financial institutions and retailers.”

This acquisition further strengthens First Data’s business across the region by combining First Data’s comprehensive transaction processing solution, VisionPLUS®, which is used by many of the largest banks and retail card issuers in the world, with local skill and knowledge.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About First Data
First Data Corp., with corporate headquarters in Denver, Colorado (U.S.A.), helps power the global economy. As a worldwide leader in electronic commerce and payment services, First Data provides credit, debit, smart card and stored-value card issuing and merchant transaction processing services; Internet commerce solutions; and cheque processing and verification services to financial institutions in more than 70 countries on six continents. Its Western Union and Orlandi Valuta money transfer networks include approximately 202,000 agent locations in more than 195 countries and territories. With more than 30,000 employees worldwide, First Data has offices throughout Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America and North America. For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.firstdata.com.

About FinecoBank
Established in 1999, FinecoBank (Capitalia Group) is now the top direct/online bank in Italy with more than 420,000 customers, 8.5 million executed orders at the end of 2003, and a market share of 30% online orders. FinecoBank offers a complete range of innovative and hi tech services: banking, credit, financial planning and mortgages. FinecoBank’s mission is to combine best value, technology and brand to deliver tangible convenience to its clients.