First Data Fact Sheet
Overview
First Data Corporation is a global technology leader in information commerce. The company serves more than 5.4 million merchant locations, more than 2,000 card issuers and their customers and millions of consumers worldwide. First Data processes transaction data of all kinds, harnesses the power of that data, and delivers innovations in secure infrastructure, intelligence and insight for its customers. From large financial institutions to the merchant around the corner, First Data supports its customers by helping them process and understand the intelligence behind every transaction.
Financial institutions, retailers large and small, utilities and healthcare organizations rely on First Data to empower them to build stronger, more profitable customer relationships as commerce continues to transform.
TeleCheck is founded, providing check verification and collection services to merchants and financial institutions.
1976
First Data Resources becomes the first processor of Visa and MasterCard bank-issued credit cards.
1980
American Express buys 80 percent of First Data Resources (the remaining 20 percent was purchased in five percent increments each subsequent year until June 1983).
1991
First Data begins card processing operations in the United Kingdom.
1992
First Data spins off from American Express and holds its IPO;
(NYSE: FDC).
The STAR Network was created.
First Data begins Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) processing operations in Australia.
1994
First Financial Management Corp. acquires Western Union.
First Data provides card issuing processing services in Mexico.
1995
First Data merged with First Financial Management Corporation, owner of Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
ValueLink introduces stored-value gift card program.
1996
First Data Merchant Services is formed from the merger between Card Establishment Services and National Bancard Corp.
First Data divests MoneyGram.
First Data announces a 2-for-1 stock split.
1998
TeleCheck introduces its Electronic Check Acceptance service.
2000
Western Union, First Data Resources and First Data Merchant Services celebrate their 150th, 30th and 20th anniversaries, respectively.
First Data forms eONE Global to focus on emerging payment technologies.
2001
First Data Europe launches to expand presence in the European market.
First Data makes several acquisitions, including the following:
First Data Corporation is a global technology leader in information commerce. The company serves more than 5.4 million merchant locations, more than 2,000 card issuers and their customers and millions of consumers worldwide. First Data processes transaction data of all kinds, harnesses the power of that data, and delivers innovations in secure infrastructure, intelligence and insight for its customers. From large financial institutions to the merchant around the corner, First Data supports its customers by helping them process and understand the intelligence behind every transaction.
Financial institutions, retailers large and small, utilities and healthcare organizations rely on First Data to empower them to build stronger, more profitable customer relationships as commerce continues to transform.
Today, data is the new currency. Advances in processing technology enable us to learn from each transaction. And by harnessing the power of data of all kinds, we help merchants and financial institutions grow their businesses and take advantage of new market opportunities.
Our innovations in secure infrastructure, intelligence and insight empower our clients to move beyond “electronic payments” to embrace data-driven commerce, which incorporates data intelligently into every transaction.
First Data offers solutions that make it fast, secure and reliable for people and businesses around the world to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment, including credit, debit, private-label, smart and stored-value card solutions, wireless payments, RFID and ACH solutions. First Data also provides fraud protection and authentication solutions; check guarantee and verification services; Internet commerce and mobile solutions; and POS devices and service.
Find out more about the regions we serve around the world:
Asia Pacific
Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)
Latin America & Canada (LAC)
| Number of Employees: | Approximately 27,000 |
| CEO: | Michael D. Capellas |
| CFO: | Phil Wall |
| Executive Committee: | Michael D. Capellas, Thomas R. Bell, Jr., Peter Boucher, Ed Labry, David Money, Grace Chen Trent, Phil Wall and David Yates. |
| Headquarters: | Denver, Colorado |
| Major International Offices: |
Europe, Australia and China
|
| Financial Highlights | 2007 (i) | 2006 |
| Revenues | $8.1 billion | $7.1 billion |
| Income from Continuing Operations | $162.5 million | $847.7 million |
(i) 2007 is presented on a combined basis and includes the successor period from September 25, 2007 through December 31, 2007, and the predecessor period from January 1, 2007 through September 24, 2007.
First Data Chronology:
1964TeleCheck is founded, providing check verification and collection services to merchants and financial institutions.
1976
First Data Resources becomes the first processor of Visa and MasterCard bank-issued credit cards.
1980
American Express buys 80 percent of First Data Resources (the remaining 20 percent was purchased in five percent increments each subsequent year until June 1983).
1991
First Data begins card processing operations in the United Kingdom.
1992
First Data spins off from American Express and holds its IPO;
(NYSE: FDC).
The STAR Network was created.
First Data begins Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) processing operations in Australia.
1994
First Financial Management Corp. acquires Western Union.
First Data provides card issuing processing services in Mexico.
1995
First Data merged with First Financial Management Corporation, owner of Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
ValueLink introduces stored-value gift card program.
1996
First Data Merchant Services is formed from the merger between Card Establishment Services and National Bancard Corp.
First Data divests MoneyGram.
First Data announces a 2-for-1 stock split.
1998
TeleCheck introduces its Electronic Check Acceptance service.
2000
Western Union, First Data Resources and First Data Merchant Services celebrate their 150th, 30th and 20th anniversaries, respectively.
First Data forms eONE Global to focus on emerging payment technologies.
2001
First Data Europe launches to expand presence in the European market.
First Data makes several acquisitions, including the following:
- 64 percent of NYCE, a provider of ATM and PIN-debit network services;
- 90 percent of TASQ Technology, a provider of point-of-sale devices;
- PaySys International, a card-processing software provider;
- BidPay.com, a payment services provider for Internet auction markets.
2002
Charlie Fote succeeds Ric Duques, becoming the company's second CEO since its IPO in 1992.
First Data announces a 2-for-1 stock split.
2003
First Data acquires TeleCash Kommunikations-Service GmbH, a Germany-based provider of point-of-sale terminals.
2004
First Data merges with Concord EFS. The new combined entity offers greater choice, voice and innovation to the payments industry.
First Data acquires Cashcard Australia Limited and First Data Hellas in Greece.
Western Union Financial Services and Orlandi Valuta announce the opening of the 200,000th Agent location.
First Data divests NYCE and Global Cash Access.
2005
First Data completes acquisition of credit card processing unit from FinecoBank.
Western Union purchases equity interest in Italian money transfer Agent and acquired Vigo Remittance Corp. expanding its consumer-to-consumer money transfer services to various countries, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean.
First Data acquires EuroProcessing International gaining a significant foothold in Central and Eastern Europe and Austrian Payment Systems Services GmbH, leading processor of cashless, card-based payment transactions, and enters Korea with the acquisition of Korea Mobile Payment Services.
First Data forms merchant alliances with International Card Services (Dutch market), BankWest (Australia) and Citibank.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. and First Data signed an agreement to integrate the companies' jointly owned Chase Merchant Services and Paymentech merchant businesses, to be operated under the name of Chase Paymentech Solutions, LLC.
Ric Duques returns as CEO and Chairman.
2006
First Data announces plans to separate Western Union into an independent, publicly traded company through a tax-free spin.
TeleCheck acquires ClearCheck services.
ABN AMRO and First Data team up to provide global payment processing.
First Data International completes acquisition of GZS and expands its position in the German market, and Argencard, a leading payment processor in Argentina and Uruguay.
First Data completes successful spinoff of Western Union.
2007
First Data announces agreement to be acquired by KKR.
Michael D. Capellas named Chief Executive Officer.
Merger agreement with KKR closes in September. First Data becomes a private equity company.
Current Rankings:
Fortune Rankings:
-
First Data was ranked #315 on the Fortune 500 list in 2008.
-
First Data was ranked #1 for the Financial Data Services Industry on the Fortune 500 list in 2007.
- First Data as the 5th largest Colorado Company based on revenue in 2007.
- First Data was ranked #6 on Fortune's "America's Most Admired Companies" list 2008 for the Financial Data Services Industry.
Global Finance Ranking:
- Global Finance ranked First Data as the "Best Electronic Commerce Provider" in its annual Best Treasury and Cash Management Banks and Providers Awards 2007.
The Rocky Mountain News’ Colorado 50:
- In The Rocky Mountain News' Colorado's Top 50 Companies, First Data was ranked no. 8 in 2007.
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Grice
elizabeth.grice@firstdata.com