Central Credit and TeleCheck sign exclusive agreement

Business Wire, Oct 1, 1996

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 1996--

Industry leaders provide fast check-cashing for gaming patrons

Central Credit Inc., a subsidiary of HFS Inc. (NYSE: HFS), has formed a strategic alliance with TeleCheck Services, in which TeleCheck will provide check guarantee services to gaming facilities using CCI's credit-approval system. TeleCheck is a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC).

CCI is the primary provider of gaming patron credit information for casinos worldwide. TeleCheck, the world's leading check acceptance company, provides guarantee services for check cashing to the gaming industry.

"This new service adds to our one-stop service system for credit transactions, designed to get more cash into the hands of patrons and on the casino floor," said CCI president and COO Robert S. Kingsley. "CCI customers will be able to electronically scan a patron's check and receive a guarantee authorization from TeleCheck in seconds, all from CCI terminals already located in the casino's Cage & Credit booth."

CCI will continue to offer its customers instant access to its "Cash-No-Card" file for patron check-cashing transactions that do not require a guarantee.

"This alliance with the leading provider of credit service to the gaming industry enables TeleCheck to rapidly expand our market penetration in this industry," said Jim Lerdal, president and chief operating officer of TeleCheck. "The combination of CCI's data on gaming customers and TeleCheck's extensive databases and risk management systems strengthens our position as the leader in managing check cashing risks. This translates into higher average check amounts cashed, which means more dollars for gaming."

The new offering to CCI subscribers is scheduled to coincide with the launch of CCI's new Windows-based interactive customer communications network in the first quarter of 1997.

Founded in 1956 and acquired by HFS Inc. in 1995, CCI affords more than 250 casino operators around the world the ability to track the credit activity and history of more than four million gaming customers worldwide. CCI subscribers include traditional land-based, riverboat, Native American and international casinos in nearly every gaming jurisdiction.

TeleCheck Services Inc. provides check acceptance, check guarantee and collection services to more than 160,000 retail, financial institution, gaming, travel and association clients through a sales and service network with offices in more than 90 cities in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia and New Zealand. In 1995, TeleCheck authorized over $35 billion in checks and processed more than 585 million check inquiries. TeleCheck products are offered through First Data Merchant Services. Hackensack, New Jersey-based First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), which reported more than $4.1 billion in revenues in 1995, provides information processing services to financial institutions, merchants, insurance companies, health care providers, government agencies, public utilities and consumers throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and through its agent network to more than 120 countries around the world.

HFS Inc. is the world's largest franchisor of hotels and residential real estate brokerage offices. Its stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HFS." The company has nearly 5,300 Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Park Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge, Villager Lodge and Wingate Inn franchised hotels with approximately 490,000 rooms in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe. In real estate, HFS' CENTURY 21, Coldwell Banker and ERA brands have about 11,200 franchised offices with more than 160,000 brokers and agents in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, Europe, Africa and the Asia/Pacific region. HFS recently executed a definitive agreement with Avis Employee Stock Ownership Trust and Avis Inc. to acquire Avis Inc., the world's second largest rental car system.

CONTACT: CCI

Robert S. Kingsley, President

201/952-8594

http://www.c21.realty.com/hfs

or

TeleCheck Services

Jalinna Jones, 713/599-7359