PULSE, a Discover Financial Services business unit, has announced a long-term ATM acquiring deal with Brussels, Belgium-based TRIONIS, a European interbank processing network. TRIONIS is jointly owned by retail banks from nine European countries, the European Savings Banks Group and First Data Corp. According a news release issued by PULSE, more than 74,000 TRIONIS ATMs across Europe will process ATM transactions for Diners Club International and Discover cards. Dave Schneider, PULSE's president, says the deal will help Discover accelerate the global strength of its Diners Club network:
Since acquiring Diners Club, one of Discover's priorities has been to strengthen global acceptance. Our agreement with TRIONIS is a significant multicountry acquirer agreement to further European acceptance of Diners Club and Discover cards and an important step in helping reach that goal.
The service went live in several countries on July 1, with acceptance of Diners Club cards at the ATMs of banks in Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Luxembourg and Belgium. Discover cards are expected to be accepted at TRIONIS European ATMs beginning in October 2009.
