News

Cardpoint Selects Transaction Network Services for Complete ATM Package

June 11, 2003

- TNS wins Cardpoint's networking & processing business –"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

April 30, 2003– Transaction Network Services (TNS), a leading provider of data communications services for transaction-oriented applications, has today won an important contract in the development of the UK market for Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) commonly known as cash machines.

The contract is to supply a leading independent operator of ATMs, Lytham St Anne's-based Cardpoint plc, with processing and networking facilities.

The win is significant for the ATM industry, as Cardpoint is the first major operator in the UK to use a supplier other than ATMOS for its ATM network.

Chief Executive Mark Mills established Cardpoint in 1999, and the company has enjoyed sustained growth ever since. Today it is one of the largest independent ATM operators in the UK. The company manages a nationwide network of ATMs - primarily based at train stations, motorway services, hospitals and convenience stores - fulfilling the public's demand for access to cash in a variety of non-banking locations.

Cardpoint will now benefit from TNS' flexible, speedy and cost-effective communications services, meaning that Cardpoint will receive a competitively priced, comprehensive network and processing package while end users will typically enjoy a faster ATM service for the approximately 580,000 transactions made at Cardpoint machines each month. 

Additionally, TNS' global network would ease any expansion plans Cardpoint might have, bringing future cost savings and enabling rapid entry into new territories.

Mark Mills said of the decision to appoint TNS: "We are embarking on a new relationship with TNS due to its ability to provide an all-in-one communication solution. We have great faith that its people and technology are innovative and flexible enough to meet our changing needs.

"TNS' ability to unite first class processing capabilities with its much acclaimed network meant they were able to offer us an unbeatable combination.

"Cardpoint places great emphasis on its partnership arrangements. TNS is joining a select group of organisations including Girobank, Securicor, and Wincor Nixdorf, and I am delighted to have TNS as part of our team."

TNS UK's managing director, Ray Low said: "It is a pleasure for us to be working with a dynamic company within this growing industry. 

"To have secured the business is a real boost and I think this indicates an increasing awareness by financial services providers that they are likely to benefit most from a partner that has the technological expertise to offer a flexible end-to-end solution rather than just a network or processing service.

"This win demonstrates our intention for TNS to be the number one processor for independent ATM operators in the UK."

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Transaction Network Services

Transaction Network Services is one of the leading providers of fast, cost-effective data communications services for transaction-oriented applications. TNS provides reliable and secure transaction delivery platforms to enable transaction authorization and processing across several vertical markets and trading communities.

Since its inception in 1990, TNS has designed and implemented one of the fastest, most reliable and lowest cost networks for the transport of transaction-oriented data.  TNS' proprietary network technologies have been deployed in the United States and internationally, and TNS' network has become a preferred network servicing the trading community, wireless and wireline carriers, and the card processing and dial-up automated teller machine markets.

For further information about TNS' transaction solutions, please refer to www.tnsi.com

Cardpoint

Cardpoint plc is an independent owner and operator of over 400 ATMs across the UK. The Company typically charges £1.50 per cash withdrawal, with their customers' permission, and receives transaction revenues for balance enquiries and card rejections.

The ATMs are typically placed in high footfall locations, but in areas that are not traditionally serviced by other ATM providers, thereby offering their customers greater convenience and access to cash.

Cardpoint is a full member of the LINK Network, the only branded shared network of ATMs and self-service terminals in the UK, which allows 80 million cardholders of every member financial institution to use the ATM of another LINK member. 

Cardpoint listed on the Alternative Investment Market in June 2002. The Company's Stock Exchange EPIC is CASH.L

www.cardpointplc.com

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For more information, please contact:

Alison McMinn                              Peter Lyster                       Mark Mills

Ptarmigan Consultants             TNS                                     Cardpoint

Tel: 0113 242 1155                          Tel: 0114 292 0143                      Tel: 01253 785 808

alison@ptarmiganpr.co.uk                    plyster@tnsi.com