First Data Europe based in the United Kingdom, is a leading credit and debit card transaction processor serving the needs of over 50 financial institutions and 230,000 merchant locations throughout the U.K., Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia. In Australia, First Data is the largest independent Electronic Funds Transfer network, providing EFT and card processing services for more than 350 clients. First Data also provides processing services to clients in Canada, Mexico and Latin America. In 2001, First Data partnered with NTT Data, DC Card and DCS to form Nihon Card Processing Co. Ltd., the first company in Japan to provide third-party credit card processing outsourcing services to the world s second largest credit card market. Partnering for Profitability and Growth Working with some of the world s largest card issuers, First Data provides the advanced products and services issuers need to succeed in a very competitive environment.
Cardholders look to issuers for greater convenience, faster and better service, and lower prices.
Competition for cardholders is fierce. Issuers must continually grow their portfolios by finding ways to better identify new cardholders and retain current, profitable accounts. Using a combination of the data management, risk management, communication tools and marketing products First Data offers, issuers can successfully acquire and retain profitable accounts and stimulate card usage. To stay ahead of the game, issuers continually work to gain market share and First Data supports these efforts by offering industry expertise and a broad range of products and services. First Data helps issuers simplify and improve the scoring process and tailor marketing efforts that allow clients to market to an individual cardholder preference.