First Data and WestLB Launch New Business to Provide Card Acceptance for Retailers in Germany and Across Europe

Frankfurt, January 13, 2009

First Data, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing services, has signed a partnership agreement with WestLB and will launch a new business, called First Merchant Solutions, to provide card acceptance services for retail customers 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 compre-hensive range of merchant acquiring services.

The creation of the Single European Payment Area (SEPA) is a central factor in simplifying the regula-tory, commercial and technological environment to benefit international merchants, service providers and acquirers. Against this background, the retail sector has needed a valid, cross-border card accep-tance agreement that enables retailers to benefit from greater efficiency, more competitive pricing and the assurance of settlement and payment flow to any desired account within the SEPA region.

"First Merchant Solutions embodies our efforts to fulfil the retail sector's market needs, which have been evolving in Europe as a result of SEPA,” said Steffen Kowalski, a member of WestLB group's executive management team. “With this cooperation, First Data's acquiring solutions will be offered in Germany as well as 37 other countries and territories across Europe."

"WestLB is one of the leading regional state banks providing payment services and the ideal partner for our offering," said Carlos Gómez-Sáez, managing director of First Merchant Solutions.  “The busi-ness will also draw on First Data’s extensive payments experience in Europe and worldwide reputation as a provider of innovative payment solutions to merchants.”

As a result of the agreement, merchants will benefit from First Data and WestLB’s extensive payments experience and international expertise

About WestLB
WestLB AG is a European corporate bank headquartered in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany’s most populous regional state. With a balance sheet total of €286.5bn (per 31.12.2007), it is one of Ger-many’s leading financial service providers. As the savings banks’ central bank, it serves as a compe-tence center and link to the international financial markets for the savings banks in North-Rhine West-phalia and Brandenburg. In a close knit network with the savings banks, WestLB offers a universal portfolio with focus on the areas of credit, special financing, capital market and private equity products, asset management, transaction services, real estate financing and private banking.

A strong finance partner in a strong network

As part of the savings bank finance group, WestLB works in close cooperation with the association partners. It provides the region’s savings banks with attractive products and services combined with efficient processing. As a recognized player in the international financial markets, WestLB secures the necessary capital market expertise and international market access for its clients and savings banks.

WestLB, which is represented at all of the world’s most important financial centers, has its international activities focused on Europe. The financial partner to large corporates, upper mid-market clients, insti-tutionals and public sector customers offers a product and service portfolio specifically tailored to their unique needs.

WestLB’s objective is to provide its customers compelling financial solutions that fulfill their specific needs, thereby making it the partner of first choice and strengthening the company’s long term suc-cess for its stakeholders and staff. In accordance with the principles of corporate governance, the bank works responsibly and transparently vis-à-vis its customers, stockholders, staff and the public. WestLB AG is aware of its social responsibility and aligns its actions with the goals of sustained devel-opment. For further information, please visit www.westlb.de

About First Data
First Data is a global technology leader in information commerce. The company processes transaction data of all kinds, harnesses the power of that data and delivers innovations in secure infrastructure, intelligence and insight for its customers. With operations in 37 countries, First Data serves more than 5.4 million merchant locations and more than 2,000 card issuers and their customers. It powers the global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses around the world to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment. The company’s portfolio of services and solutions includes merchant transaction processing services; credit, debit, private-label, gift, payroll and other prepaid card offerings; fraud protection and authentication solutions; electronic check acceptance services through TeleCheck; as well as Internet commerce and mobile payment solutions. The company’s STAR Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 2.2 million ATM and retail locations.  Through First Data’s centers of excellence, such as security, analytics, customer loyalty and mobile payments, it offers data-driven commerce solutions for customers around the globe. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.

Media Contacts
First Data
Claudia Klein
+49 (0) 69 7933-1686 
claudia.klein@firstdata.de

WestLB AG
Jürgen Schiebel
Transaction Services
+49 (2) 11 826 - 8222
Juergen_Schiebel@WestLB.de