First Data entered into a relationship with Visa

First Data, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, has announced that it partnered with Visa in Canada. Since 1998, First Data has provided secure, reliable and cost effective solutions to the Canadian marketplace. After entering the relationship with Visa First Data became the first merchant acquirer in the country to directly participate in all three major schemes: Visa, MasterCard and Interac. First Data has been a merchant acquirer in Canada for MasterCard since 2001 and for Interac since 2006. As a participant in all three payment networks, First Data will be able to provide comprehensive payment processing services to support financial institutions. Today, First Data delivers card issuing solutions to many of the leading financial institutions in Canada and is one of the largest merchant acquirers in the country. Wayne Clarke, senior vice president and general manager of First Data’s business in Canada said: “As a direct participant in all payment schemes in Canada, we will offer an unrivalled processing solution to our Canadian accounts. The agreement also benefits our alliance partners across the world and those wishing to expand into Canada, as First Data can now offer them sponsorship into the Canadian market.”