First Data to Process Payment Transactions for Microsoft

First Data Corp., a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, has announced a multi-year agreement to provide global merchant processing to Microsoft Corp. First Data will be a key payment processing solution for global online consumer and business clients of Microsoft.

Under the terms of the agreement, First Data will also provide risk management services. First Data’s flexible, cost-effective, secure payment solutions from virtually anywhere in the world in most major world currencies can benefit Microsoft, which sells its products in countries around the globe.

“This agreement exhibits the ability of First Data to facilitate the acceptance of payments for companies that service a global customer base,” said Pam Patsley, President, First Data International. “With our global acquiring capability, merchants can now offer consumers the ability to pay for goods and services in their home currency, which creates a transparent payment transaction.”

“Microsoft valued First Data for our customer focus, and our unique ability to offer innovative and flexible processing solutions,” said Ed Labry, President, First Data Commercial Services. “We look forward to expanding our relationship with Microsoft and driving payment innovation for businesses large and small around the world.”

“The international scale and breadth of First Data’s payment processing solutions enable us to deliver a seamless billing experience to customers, regardless of where customers might purchase our products and services,” said Karl Hebert, Director of the Global Commerce Group at Microsoft. “We look forward to working with First Data as we look to expand our product and service offerings into more global markets.”

First Data’s vast global reach is achieved through its worldwide relationships with partner financial institutions. First Data currently serves 4.6 million merchant locations, 1,600 card issuers and millions of consumers worldwide.