First Data Expands Relationship With Washington Mutual

DENVER, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Data Corp. today announced that it has been selected by Washington Mutual, Inc. to provide authorization and settlement processing for Washington Mutual's nine million signature debit card portfolio. This extends the previously announced relationship between Washington Mutual and First Data's STAR(R) Network. STAR serves as the preferred brand and network for PIN-secured, online debit point-of-sale, and ATM processing.

"We're excited about our expanded relationship with Washington Mutual" said Debra A. Janssen, president of First Data Debit Services.

About First Data and STAR(R) Network

First Data Corp. , with global headquarters in Denver, helps power the global economy. As a leader in electronic commerce and payment services, First Data serves approximately 3.5 million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment. With more than 30,000 employees worldwide, the company provides credit, debit, private-label, smart and stored-value card issuing and merchant transaction processing services; Internet commerce solutions; money transfer services; money orders; and check guarantee and verification services. The STAR(R) Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at more than 1.2 million ATM and retail locations. First Data also offers a variety of payment services to businesses in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Panama, Brazil, China, the Netherlands, the Middle East and Germany. Its Western Union and Orlandi Valuta money transfer networks include approximately 202,000 agent locations in more than 195 countries and territories. Visit http://www.firstdata.com/ and http://www.star.com/ for more information.

Contact: Investor Relations: David Banks, 303-967-8057 Media Relations: Rodney D Bell, 303-967-6547

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