FIRST DATA MARKS A YEAR IN THE PAYMENT CARDS MARKET OF LATVIA

Riga, Latvia, 16 August 2006: One year ago, First Data International, a leader in electronic commerce and payments worldwide, announced its decision to acquire EuroProcessing International, a leading payment cards processor in Central and Eastern Europe. As a result, SIA Banku Servisa Centrs, the largest payment cards processor in Latvia and the Baltic countries, became part of First Data, changing its name and, with the support of a global company, significantly expanding the area of its operations.

During its first year within First Data, the Latvian payment cards processor has shown more rapid growth rates in every key business sector of the company – in card transactions processing, the number of personalised cards and the card acceptance network – and expanded the scope of its activities.

“Already in the first year, we have begun negotiations and made preparations for very significant regional and pan-regional projects,” said Gerd Muller, vice president, Northern Europe, First Data International. “These projects will expand payment card use and provide card users with new possibilities offered by this rapidly-growing payments industry. As part of a global payments company, we stand for card and electronic payments that are free from bureaucratic barriers and artificial limitations set by state borders. We stand for a single European payments area and equal opportunities for any EU citizen to use payment cards in any EU country. We believe this vision will be a key driver for payments in the coming 2-5 years.”

As a result of the acquisition in 2005, First Data obtained a significant foothold in the Eastern Europe and Nordic countries, at the same time expanding the range of services offered to its banking clients. Through the acquisition, First Data entered not only Latvia but also Slovakia, Serbia, Montenegro and Hungary.

“The major changes we faced in becoming part of a global player were the increased opportunities to co-operate with and learn from our colleagues in other parts of First Data,” commented Zanda Brīvule, managing director of First Data International in Latvia. “Our investment plans are now focused on the latest technologies and services, underpinning our leadership position in the region and giving us the confidence to compete on a wider stage. In another year, we will be talking about a company whose business not only covers the Baltic region, but also reaches into Scandinavia and other neighbouring countries.”

This ambition is aligned with the objective set by First Data a year ago when the company acquired EuroProcessing International – to become a significant player in the European payments market, with a local presence across the region and an in-depth understanding of the legal, regulatory and compliance issues facing each of the company’s clients, wherever they are located.

David Yates, president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, First Data International, concludes: “The acquisition of EuroProcessing International was a major milestone for First Data as we seek to build our presence in the fast-growing markets of Central and Eastern Europe. Since the acquisition, we have opened new offices across the region and see opportunities for continuing strong growth. We have been delighted by the impressive performance of our business in Latvia and are confident that our staff there will continue to enhance our services and strengthen our operations, to the benefit of our clients.”