FIRST DATA NAMED AS GLOBAL CARDS PROCESSOR OF THE YEAR

London , May 24 2006 – First Data has been named Cards Processor of the Year in Cards International’s 2006 Global Awards. The prestigious industry award was presented to First Data, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, at the Cards International Awards Dinner in Milan last night.

First Data won the Global Cards Processor Award following shortlisting with eFunds Prepaid Solutions and TSYS. First Data was also shortlisted for the Best Merger & Acquisition Award, in recognition of a number of significant acquisitions made by the company in Europe and South East Asia over the past 12 months.

In announcing First Data’s achievement, Gerard Lysaght, editor of Cards International and chairman of the judging panel, said: "First Data has made a major difference to the European payment processing industry over the last year. Through a series of acquisitions across Europe it has contributed to the long overdue consolidation of the continent's payments processing industry. As banks across Europe seek to drive down processing costs, the ability of processors to offer solutions across multiple markets will become a very attractive option, especially for those banks and other card companies looking to go cross-border."

The award was accepted on behalf of First Data by David Yates, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, First Data International. Addressing judges and dinner guests, he commented: “I am delighted to accept this award and, in doing so, to thank our clients for the trust they place in us and our staff for their efforts in delivering service excellence to our clients. I believe our success tonight reflects First Data’s single-minded focus on client delivery. We know that we can only serve our clients effectively if we combine robust global capabilities with breadth of service and a real understanding of the markets in which we operate.”

Pam Patsley, President of First Data International, adds: “This award provides powerful endorsement for our focus on executing a global strategy with local impact. In this way, we can ensure that our scale and solutions translate into real benefits for our clients in terms of increased competitiveness and operational efficiency.”

Cards International award winners were selected by a panel of judges which included Gerard Lysaght, Editor, Cards International; Joanne Robinson, Director, Cards & Payments and Consumer Finance, VRL Publishing; Ken Howes, Director Edgar, Dunn & Company; Jayne Barber, Advisor to the Board, Experian International; and Francesco Burelli, Principal Consultant at CAPCO.

About First Data

First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) is a leading provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. Serving 4.6 million merchant locations, 1,600 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.

First Data serves a diverse range of markets, leveraging global scale through a local presence and maintaining focus on individual client needs. The company operates across the USA, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Canada, Australia and Asia Pacific.

First Data’s portfolio of services and solutions includes credit, debit, private-label, gift and other prepaid 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, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta together make up one of the world's largest money transfer networks with approximately 274,000 Agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories. The company's STAR Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 1.9 million ATM and retail locations. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.