WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Electronic Payment Services,
Inc. (EPS) and Financial Services Plus, Inc. (FSP) today announced a joint
venture agreement to deploy, drive and maintain automated teller machines
(ATMs) at over 200 Texaco convenience store locations in 1996.  The ATMs will
be placed through an agreement with Star Enterprise, refiner and marketer of
Texaco products.  Selection of the EPS/FSP venture followed an extensive
search by Star Enterprise to find a flexible, reliable processor and servicer
who could provide the geographic coverage required by its extensive network of
Texaco convenience stores.  The joint venture will place the equipment and
provide ongoing monitoring and first- and second-line maintenance.
    The equipment to be installed in all locations is the NCR 5670 cash
dispenser, which is well-suited to retail locations due to its small-footprint
and merchandising features.  In addition to screen customization which can be
used for in-store promotion, the 5670 has the capability of printing discount
coupons or vouchers on the reverse side of the transaction receipt.  Star
Enterprise plans to use the coupon feature as a merchandising vehicle,
redeemable for snack food or drink items in the store.
    The ATMs are scheduled to be installed in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana,
Mississippi and Pennsylvania by year-end 1996.  All of the ATMs will display
MAC(R)/regional and national network logos.
    The move by Star Enterprise to add cash dispensers to convenience store
locations reflects a growing interest among consumers in using ATMs placed
inside retail stores.  Consumers are attracted by the added convenience as
well as the enhanced security of using an ATM in a well-lit interior.  For
convenience stores like Star Enterprise's, on-site cash dispensers can
generate more traffic and increase average sales per customer.  Mac Longoria,
Managing Director of FSP, said, "FSP is pleased to provide Star Enterprise
with a quality ATM solution, in conjunction with EPS, as part of our delivery
of financial and ancillary services to the C-store industry.  Star Enterprise
recognizes the importance and acceptance of ATMs as a convenient choice to
deliver financial services thus generating additional customer sales."
    "We're extremely proud to have been selected by Star Enterprise," said
John F. Beahn, chief marketing officer, EPS.  "Star Enterprise puts customer
service first, so they set high standards for their vendors.  We're delighted
to expand our existing relationship with Texaco which is a parent of Star
Enterprise and a valued client of BUYPASS, our POS processing subsidiary."
    Electronic Payment Services (EPS), a privately held company headquartered
in Wilmington, Del., is the leading electronic funds transfer (EFT) processor
in the United States, with 2 billion transactions annually.  EPS is the
holding company for BUYPASS Corporation, a major third-party, POS processor
and leading debit transaction acquirer with an annual transaction volume of
almost 800 million; and MONEY ACCESS SERVICE INC., a leading EFT processor to
the financial services industry, driving over 12,400 ATMs nationwide.  MONEY
ACCESS SERVICE is also operator of the MAC(R) network, the largest EFT network
in the United States based on 1.2 billion switch transactions annually, with
22,000 ATMs and 250,000 POS terminals in 40 states.  Nearly 2,000 financial
institutions are members of the MAC network, with 36 million customers
carrying cards bearing the MAC logo.  MONEY ACCESS SERVICE INC. controls the
license rights for the registered trademark MAC.
    Financial Services Plus, Inc. DBA McLane FSP is a division of McLane
Company, Inc., the only national distributor to convenience stores, serving
more than 34,000 C-stores in 50 states.  FSP develops value-added programs
that are designed to increase traffic and purchases in convenience stores
while minimizing labor costs.  FSP programs include ATM placement, equipment
sales and leasing, check verification, coupon redemption and telephone debit
cards.  Mac Longoria is managing director of FSP.
    Headquartered in Houston, Star Enterprise is a joint venture between
subsidiaries of Texaco and Saudi Aramco.  The company refines and markets
Texaco products in 26 East and Gulf Coast States and Washington, D.C.

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