Discover Financial Services Pairs up with British Hospitality Association to Share Industry Research and Insights

Discover Financial Services, which operates the Discover Global Network including Discover Network, Diners Club International, PULSE and affiliated networks, and the British Hospitality Association (BHA), the trade association for hospitality and tourism organizations in the UK, announced an agreement in which Discover Financial Services will provide tourism insights, strategic guidance and industry support to the entire BHA membership.

As part of the agreement with the BHA, Discover Financial Services will serve as a thought leader on various topics around hospitality and UK travel trends by leveraging insights across the Discover Global Network. They will share know-how, intelligence and expertise on the market, as well as technological advancements and any industry developments with all BHA members and the wider hospitality community.

"This agreement is an example of how our international expansion is focused on building relationships with key organizations such as the BHA, which benefits our cardholders travelling and living around the globe,” said Gerry Wagner, vice president, Discover Financial Services. "Working with the BHA will also help drive more acceptance for millions of cards that are issued on our network and keep us top of mind with relevant merchants in this sector.”

Additionally, Discover will be a sponsor of the 2015 BHA Hospitality & Tourism Summit, and a representative is slated to speak with attendees regarding the payments industry and how it relates to hospitality and tourism. Together, both organizations will also facilitate events providing BHA members with a platform to learn, gather insights and network.

"We’re delighted to have Discover Financial Services as a partner. Diners Club, a part of Discover Global Network, has a 50-year heritage and is a pioneer in its field, offering the first independent credit card for the travel industry,” said Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Executive of the BHA. "Fast forward 50 years, Diners Club remains pivotal for well-travelled individuals from around the globe and is a well-respected member of the hospitality community.”

Discover Global Network is the third largest payments network in the world and the largest merchant acceptance network in Asia-Pacific, with more than 30 million merchant acceptance locations and 1 million ATM and cash access locations across 185 countries and territories. Discover Global Network includes Discover, Diners Club International, PULSE and affiliated networks.

About The British Hospitality Association (BHA)

The BHA represents over 40,000 hotels, serviced apartments, clubs, restaurants, food service, attractions and leisure companies. As the ‘hub’ for Hospitality and Tourism, the BHA’s thought leadership, market know-how, intelligence and expertise, deliver a powerful voice to government, as well as reliable advice, valuable connections and strategic support to business. Our purpose is to work with government to ensure the right business environment in which Hospitality and Tourism can thrive. Our key measure of success is the creation of 300,000 new Hospitality and Tourism jobs in the UK by 2020.

Find out more @BHAtweets and www.bha.org.uk

About Discover Financial Services

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home loans, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

About Diners Club International Ltd.

Diners Club International is owned by Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS), a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Established in 1950, Diners Club International became the first multi-purpose charge card in the world, launching a financial revolution in how consumers and companies pay for products and services. Today, Diners Club is a globally-recognized brand serving the payment needs of select and affluent consumers, offering access to more than 550 airport lounges worldwide, and providing corporations and small business owners with a complete array of expense management solutions. With acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories, millions of merchant locations and access to more than 1 million cash access locations and ATMs, Diners Club, as a part of the Discover Global Network, is uniquely qualified to serve its cardmembers all over the world. For more information, visit www.dinersclub.com.