What We Do
First Data Corporation® operates a set of related transaction and information processing services, providing clients with the tools to better serve their customers. First Data currently participates in seven business areas:
Domestic Card Issuer Services Third-party provider of account processing and servicing to card issuers. Also provides debit and commercial card account management, access and processing services to card issuers, and develops private label transaction card programs for retailers. Credit, customer service and collections, providing card issuing banks with back-office support through application processing, credit support and delinquent account processing, including pre-chargeoff collection outsourcing services. Information solutions to the financial, retail, collections and insurance industries, including customized card promotion services, target marketing and credit risk decision modeling services. Domestic Merchant Processing Services Merchant authorization, processing and settlement services for major credit, debit and stored-value cards in the retail, hospitality, supermarket and direct mail industries. Clients also benefit from Internet-based processing services and special programs to cardholders on behalf of merchants. Through its TeleCheck unit, it also provides check guarantee, verification and collection services to retailers and financial institutions.	International Card Services Operations in the United Kingdom represent Europe's leading independent payment card service provider. Also, operates Australia's largest independent electronic transaction card processing and funds transfer services and provides third-party bankcard processing serving Mexico, Latin America and the Asia- Pacific region. Payment Instruments Western Union is the world's leading nonbank provider of electronic and paper-based systems for the rapid transfer of funds and in-person payment processing for consumers and commercial entities. Payment Instruments also provides: official checks and money orders to financial institutions; electronic credit processing for state and federal tax payments by businesses and commercial messaging services; utility and other bill payment services through its retail agent base; and expense management, funds disbursement and money transfer services to the transportation industry.	Investment Processing Services Automation technologies and distribution services for shareholder accounts and mutual fund assets held by banks, investment advisors and mutual fund management companies. Health Care Administrative Services Independent health care administrative services organization providing claims administration and associated health care management services to the self-insured corporate and other markets. Specialty Services Outsource provider of integrated document services, providing document design, acquisition, manufacture, storage, access and distribution. In-store banking services within supermarkets and supercenter stores in the United States, Canada and Latin America. Customized 800 telephone interactive services and third-party operator and customer support telephone services. Financial recovery and accounts receivable management company, providing customized financial recovery services to financial institutions, health care providers, oil companies, utilities, telecommunications companies and governmental agencies.

Where We're Going
The world of commerce is changing - rapidly moving toward electronic solutions for financial transactions. In particular, financial payments are moving away from paper to plastic and on-line. With broad expertise in automating the processing of billions of transactions annually, First Data is positioned to continue to capture opportunities in this marketplace.
The industries served by the Company share several positive attributes: Large, diversified markets Above-average growth resulting from a trend to outsourcing and to noncash forms of payment Recurring, stable revenue Multiple sources of growth Economies of scale High value of superior functionality	Total of All Magnetic Stripe Cards in Circulation - Worldwide (in billions) The growth in total cards is predicted to remain strong, at 15% annually from 1995-2000 and 12% annually from 1995-2005.	U.S. Total of Bankcards (Credit and Debit) (in millions) The total number of bankcards outstand- ing in the U.S. is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 10% from 1995-2000 and 8% from 1995-2005.
Worldwide General Purpose Card Volume (in trillions) The global general purpose card volume will increase from $1.5 trillion in 1995 to $6.4 trillion in 2005, a compound annual growth of 16%.	U.S. Consumer Payments (in trillions) Credit and debit cards will continue to capture a greater share of total consumer payments, from 21% in 1995 to 43% in 2005, a compound annual growth rate of 14%. During the same time period, electronic payments will increase from 2% to 11% of the total, a compound annual growth rate of 28%. Source for all graphs: The Nilson Report



Who We Are

Credit cards, debit cards, stored-value cards, electronic payments processing and check authorization are just a few of the services that First Data provides every day. First Data processes the information that allows millions of consumers to pay for goods and services by credit card or check, or wire money - seamlessly and effortlessly.

Specifically, in 1996, First Data was behind the scenes maintaining data for 153 million credit and debit cards,

authorizing approximately 2.3 billion credit and debit card transactions,

issuing approximately 100 million credit and debit cards to consumers,

processing 5.9 billion total card transactions for 500,000 merchants,

authorizing 645 million checks,

processing 35 million money transfers,

selling 235 million money orders,

issuing 85 million official checks,

servicing 15 million investment accounts,

answering up to 250 million interactive calls,

administering 18 million health care claims,

processing 600 million electronic document images,

and mailing 1.2 billion documents.

As the 82nd largest company in the United States in market capitalization, First Data is a leading provider of credit card processing, payment systems, electronic commerce and information-based services to businesses and consumers. Spanning over 130 countries, more than 40,000 employees deliver service to the institutions that in turn serve the consumer - financial institutions, merchants, manufacturers, utilities and government agencies, wholesalers and hospitals. And, through Western Union, First Data serves the consumer directly.