News

First Data acquires Austrian Payment Systems Services

November 9, 2005

VIENNA, Austria - First Data Corp., a global provider of electronic commerce and payment services, has acquired Austrian Payment Systems Services GmbH, Austria's leading processor of card-based payment transactions, according to a news release.

The acquisition of APSS also further extends First Data's capabilities and service offering in the areas of smart-card development, ATM management and debit card processing.

APSS provides Austria's banking industry with debit and credit card issuing and acquiring processing, as well as card-network operations and terminals and ATM processing.

"We are very pleased to have completed this acquisition, establishing a strong presence in the Austrian market, which itself offers significant opportunities for growth," said David Yates, president of First Data International EMEA. "We look forward to working with the management team and staff in Austria to further develop the business, supporting the local and cross-border strategies of our new and highly valued banking clients."

This acquisition strengthens First Data's presence in Europe and complements the company's expansion earlier this year into Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Serbia, Montenegro, Russia and Hungary. First Data now has processing hubs and competency centers across Europe.