First Data Announces Credit Card Processing Partnership with Citibank

Business Wire, June 24, 2005

DENVER -- Electronic commerce and payments leader First Data (NYSE: FDC) announced today that it has expanded its relationship with Citibank and that the two companies have signed a long-term processing agreement that would expand their existing relationship to include processing services for the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Card Portfolios.

The extended partnership will focus on private label and private label co-brand bankcards, in addition to accounts currently processed for Citibank. First Data will add the Sears co-brand bankcard and private label card portfolios in second quarter 2006.

About First Data

First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) is a leading provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. Serving 4.1 million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, First Data powers the global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses around the world to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment. The company's portfolio of services and solutions includes credit, debit, private-label, smart and stored-value card issuing and merchant transaction processing services; money transfer services; money orders; fraud protection and authentication solutions; check guarantee and verification services through TeleCheck; as well as Internet commerce and mobile solutions. Western Union and its subsidiary, Orlandi Valuta, together make up one of the world's largest money transfer networks with approximately 225,000 Agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories. The company's STAR Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 1.6 million ATM and retail locations. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.

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