First Data Corp. has reported its financial results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2009 with consolidated revenue of $2.4 billion, up 13% - primarily driven by the new Bank of America Merchant Services alliance.

First Data and Accertify have announced an agreement to integrate Accertify's fraud prevention platform with First Data's eCommerce processing gateways and platforms.

According to the two companies, "the integration of Accertify's Interceptas® platform will provide First Data with a comprehensive, end-to-end fraud deterrence solution. This solution will equip First Data's customers with tools to help mitigate risk and reduce losses associated with fraud. The solution also eliminates the need for merchants to deploy separate payment and risk platforms. First Data will offer this combined solution to its 300,000 merchants around the world that sell goods or services over the Internet and in a card-not-present environment." READ MORE »

First Data has announced that its STAR Network is the first electronic funds transfer network to launch load and reload support for STAR-branded general purpose prepaid cards. Using patent pending technology, the STAR Network has completed the infrastructure to enable load and reload functionality at participating ATM and POS locations. The expanded transaction set includes activation, load/reload and split tender purchases – with PIN-security and the associated reduction in fraud built in. The new STAR RELOAD service icon denoting load/reload card capabilities will be displayed with the STAR brand on participating cards, merchant point-of-sale and ATM locations. READ MORE »

First Data has announced a relationship with Yahoo! Inc. to provide merchants with "easy-to-implement eCommerce solutions for small and mid-size merchants eager to extend their businesses to the Internet. First Data will provide merchants with point-of-sale terminals and payment processing services to complement Yahoo! Merchant Solutions and Web Hosting subscription-based products, which allow small businesses to set up their online stores and catalog web sites with simple design tools and tracking features." READ MORE »

First Data has announced an agreement with PayPal that allows debit cardholders in First Data’s STAR Network to quickly link their STAR debit card to a PayPal account online. First Data says its STAR Network is "the first electronic funds transfer network to offer this innovative service to its member financial institutions." READ MORE »

First Data has announced the appointments of Kevin J. Schultz, 51, as president of its Financial Services business segment and John Elkins, 57, as chief marketing officer, effective immediately. In addition, Henry R. Kravis and Joe W. Forehand were appointed as new members to First Data’s board of directors. READ MORE »

First Data and RSA have announced they are teaming up to provide a new service called First Data Secure Transaction Management - "engineered to enable merchants to secure payment card data and remove it from their environment while allowing access when needed." The new service "is designed to dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of complying with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)." READ MORE »

PULSE, the Discover Financial Services business unit responsible for expanding global cash access for the company, has signed a long-term ATM acquiring agreement with 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. READ MORE »

In an article titled "Getting the Garden Ready: First Data and Mobile Payments at the Point of Sale" over on our sister Payments Views blog, Glenbrook's Carol Coye Benson takes a look at mobile payments for local point-of-sale transactions and, in particular, First Data's efforts in that regard.

In preparing the article, Carol interviewed Barry McCarthy, President, Mobile Commerce Solutions for First Data, who discussed the four key pieces required for mobile payments at POS: the upgrade of the POS terminal base, availability of NFC-enabled phones, card issuer participation, and consumer education.

Walmart, MasterCard Worldwide and First Data have announced a "new, more sustainable payroll program designed to reduce the number of paper paychecks and pay stubs distributed each year to Walmart and Sam’s Club associates in the U.S. In order to benefit both associates and the environment, the electronic pay program will include the deployment of the Money Network™ MasterCard Paycard® and electronic pay stubs, which will cut down on paper consumption and provide associates easier access to their wages." READ MORE »

First Data has reported its financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2009. "Consolidated revenues were $2.2 billion, or flat, and up 4% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were $607 million, down 5%, or down 1% on a constant currency basis. In addition to the adverse impact of the strong U.S. dollar, adjusted EBITDA comparisons were unfavorably affected by lower royalty revenue. Excluding currency effects and the change in royalty revenue, adjusted EBITDA was up 1%. The net loss attributable to First Data was $196 million, which includes after-tax interest expenses of $284 million."

"We continue to execute well on all fronts," said Michael Capellas, chairman and CEO of First Data. "In particular, our unique strategic alliances continue to enhance our leadership position in delivering innovative payment services to merchants." READ MORE »

Martin Arnold reports for the Financial Times that Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is preparing IPO plans for up to six of its portfolio companies - including First Data Corp. According to the report, an IPO could occur within the next 12 months.

First Data Corp. has filed an S-4 Registration Statement with the SEC to permit holders of unregistered outstanding notes for freely tradable notes that have been registered under the Securities Act. First Data says it does not plan to list the exchange notes on a national market. The S-4 lists FDC's principal executive office location as Atlanta, Georgia with Greenwood Village, Colorado shown as its administrative headquarters.

Bank of America and First Data have announced "the formation of a new company that will deliver next-generation payments solutions to merchants ranging from small business to commercial and corporate clients worldwide."

According to the two companies, Banc of America Merchant Services, LLC will provide clients "with the most comprehensive suite of innovative payments solutions including credit, debit and prepaid cards to merchant loyalty, check and eCommerce payments." READ MORE »

In an article titled "Ex-CEO of First Data Corp., makes a power play in Denver" in the Denver Post, Aldo Svaldi writes about Charlie Fote, ex-CEO of First Data Corp., and his plans to launch a new holding company later this year that Fote says "will look like Western Union and First Data put together."

First Data has announced that Wells Fargo has expanded its agreement for card processing services and will move its newly-acquired Wachovia credit card portfolios to First Data for card processing services. READ MORE »

First Data Corp. has reported financial results for the first quarter 2009. Revenues were $2.1 billion, down 2% year over year. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were $491 million, down 15%.

FDC's operating profit for the quarter was $30.4 million, down 85% year over year. After paying interest expense on its debt of $448 million, the company reported a net loss of $231 million for the quarter.

"Our revenue base held steady in the quarter as we added new merchant and bank customers," said Michael Capellas, chairman and CEO of First Data. "We will continue to invest in new product development to fuel long-term growth while driving cost efficiencies to sustain profitability."

A webcast and presentation are available online. In its presentation, First Data noted that the volume of merchant transactions it handled in the first quarter fell 14% compared to 1Q2008.

First Data has published a new white paper, Leveraging Secure IP-Based Payment Connection Network To Reduce Costs and Increase Customer Satisfaction, that discusses "the emergence of secure IP transaction networks that leverage the strengths of conventional IP connectivity while addressing its inherent shortcomings. Learn why these networks are the transport method of choice for payment processing, and why merchants of all sizes should consider migrating their payment transactions—from dial-up or conventional IP solutions—to a secure IP network."

First Data has launched PayCargo, a first global online freight payment system for the maritime shipping industry. According to FDC, "the proprietary solution PayCargo offers allows shippers, carriers and freight brokers of all sizes to settle accounts faster and more safely than ever before. The PayCargo system is an electronic invoice presentment and payment (EIPP) tool that helps reduce the cost of approving and disputing payments. It also helps prevent expensive demurrage and storage charges that often result from inefficient payment processes and procedures." READ MORE »

First Data has announced that it has entered into a relationship with Visa in Canada, becoming the first merchant acquirer in the country to directly participate in all three major schemes: Visa, MasterCard and Interac. READ MORE »

INSIDE Contactless and First Data have announced signing a three-year agreement to develop contactless payment stickers, which First Data will market as GO-Tag products. According to the companies, INSIDE will supply MicroPass payment sticker prelams exclusively to First Data-qualified card manufacturers for production. READ MORE »

In its 2008 earnings release this morning, First Data Corp. announced that on Dec. 31, 2008 First Data and Wells Fargo extended their merchant alliance joint venture, Wells Fargo Merchant Services, for five years. In connection with the transaction Wells Fargo increased its ownership in WFMS by paying First Data a cash consideration resulting in First Data and Wells Fargo owning 40% and 60% of WFMS, respectively, as of Dec. 31, 2008.

First Data held a webcast this morning - an accompanying presentation is available online.

First Data and American Express have announced a new merchant services agreement in Poland where First Data will become the exclusive merchant acquirer and merchant processor for American Express Card transactions in Poland. READ MORE »

First Data Corp. has a growing collection of white papers in its Thought Leadership Library covering a wide range of payments-related topics. The latest papers include:

• One-to-One Customer Risk Management by Krista Tedder - Product Owner, Risk Management and Fraud Solutions
• Bill Payment Trends: Major Shifts in Consumer Behavior Require Comprehensive Planning

First Data and Urban Trust Bank have announced that Urban Trust Bank will offer the Money Network payroll card and related prepaid products to businesses and consumers. READ MORE »

First Data Corp. has a growing collection of white papers in its Thought Leadership Library covering a wide range of payments-related topics. The latest papers include:

• Mobile Account Management: The Mobile Commerce Enabler - by Barry McCarthy, President, Mobile Commerce Solutions
• Innovations in Payments and Decoupled Debit Reshape the Power of Merchant Loyalty Programs - by Timothy Horton, Vice President of Product Management
• Financial Institutions Must Rethink Their Remote Deposit Capture Support Models - by Kathleen Houseman, Vice President, Remote Deposit Capture Solutions, and Mark Nevle, Director, Product Development

First Data has announced signing a partnership agreement with WestLB to launch a new business, First Merchant Solutions, to provide card acceptance services for retailers in Germany and across Europe. "As part of this new venture, WestLB, a German regional state bank with a strong European presence, will provide the licenses and payment services infrastructure while First Data will provide a comprehensive range of merchant acquiring services." READ MORE »

First Data has announced the introduction of two new point of sale (POS) terminals, the FD300 and the FD200. "Developed based on merchant feedback, these devices offer unique capabilities that expand First Data's proprietary terminal line. The FD300 is designed for operations that have more than one business at the same location, and the FD200 is an all-in-one device that supports multiple payment types." READ MORE »

Shell Oil Products US has announced it has launched the Shell Saver Card - saying it is "the first gasoline retailer to make an electronic check payment method available to consumers nationally. This latest Shell payment option provides consumers with a convenient way to pay for purchases with a direct link to a checking account and savings on each gallon of fuel pumped at Shell stations." READ MORE »

First Data Corp. has reported financial results for the third quarter 2008 - with consolidated revenues growing 4% to $2.2 billion. FDC's strongest revenue growth was in international with a 19% increase in revenue. Its weakest segment, Financial Services, saw revenues decline 5%. Merchant services grew 6%. A webcast is scheduled to discuss the results later this morning.