-Adds Long-Term Alpha Bank Contract, Expanded Capabilities, 900 Employees in
Southeastern Europe-
DENVER, July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), a
global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, today announced it
has completed the acquisition of Delta Singular Outsourcing Services S.A. from
Delta Singular S.A., a leading technology company in Greece. Delta Singular
Outsourcing Services provides payment processing services in Greece, the
Middle East and the Balkans.
Simultaneously, Delta Singular Outsourcing Services entered a 10-year
agreement to provide payment processing and related services to its largest
client, Alpha Bank. As the second largest commercial bank in Greece, Alpha
Bank issues MasterCard cards, is the largest issuer of Visa cards and the only
issuer of American Express cards in Greece.
"We're excited about the addition of Delta Singular Outsourcing Services
to First Data and are committed to growing the business in Southeastern
Europe," said Pam Patsley, president of First Data International. "Delta
Singular Outsourcing Services brings talented employees, solid client
relationships and complementary capabilities to First Data. It is a strategic
fit for First Data, enabling us to offer expanded services to our clients
while creating a strong presence for us in Greece, the Middle East and the
Balkans. And, Delta Singular Outsourcing Services will benefit from First
Data's global presence and extensive resources."
Delta Singular Outsourcing Services processes more than 1.5 million debit
cards and 2 million credit cards, drives more than 1,200 ATMs and manages more
than 12 million POS transactions annually.
"First Data and Delta Singular Outsourcing Services is a terrific match.
Delta Singular Outsourcing Services' clients will benefit from First Data's
payments expertise and worldwide reach while our capabilities and footprint in
Greece helps First Data grow in this key market," said Andreas Drymiotis,
chairman of Delta Singular. "We look forward to working together to bring a
wide range of payment services to our clients throughout Southeastern Europe
and beyond."
Under terms of the agreement announced on 10 June 2004, First Data
acquired 100 percent of Delta Singular Outsourcing Services shares. Delta
Singular shareholders voted to approve the acquisition on 8 July 2004.
J.P. Morgan advised First Data, and Credit Suisse First Boston and Alpha
Finance advised Delta Singular on this transaction.
About First Data
First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), 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 188,000 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
http://www.firstdata.com.
About Delta Singular S.A.
DELTA SINGULAR is a leading Group of companies in the Greek Information
Technology sector, formed in 2001 through the merger of two of the largest IT
companies in Greece, SINGULAR S.A. and DELTA INFORMATICS S.A. Providing
state-of-the-art software products, as well as integrated systems and IT
outsourcing services to the Greek private and public sectors, the DELTA
SINGULAR Group aims at establishing long-term relationships with clients in
order to become their strategic partner as far as Information Technology is
concerned. SINGULAR's contribution to the combined entity is comprised of its
leading market position and technical superiority in software development and
distribution, as well as a strong systems integration division, Internet and
e-commerce expertise, an extensive and reliable business partner network and
international exposure.
FDC-1
SOURCE First Data Corp.
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Related links:
http://www.firstdata.com
CONTACT:
Mary Walker or First Data, +1-770-857-7188,
mary.walker@firstdatacorp.com, or Kimon Antypas of The Rowland
Company 0030 210 685 7280, kantypas@rowland.gr, for First Data;
or Alastair Hetherington for Alpha Bank/Delta Singular, 0030 210
725 8194, Alastair.Hetherington@fd.com
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