The capabilities of this enterprise, with its distribution network of 220,000 agent locations, 4.1 million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers, 406 million cardholder accounts and its strong global brands—Western Union, TeleCheck, and STAR—give me tremendous confidence in our place as a leader in the payments value chain.

We will always deliver on the promise of making buying, selling and life easier by handling payment transactions in the most reliable, most secure and most cost-efficient manner possible.

This report features First Data’s leaders, which underscores our efforts to empower the best people to propel First Data forward. Knowing, as I do, just how demanding and exciting our business is, I am forever grateful for the effort and dedication that I witness among my 32,000 colleagues every day. I am deeply appreciative of their support and confidence as well as that of our dedicated shareholders. Shareholder confidence is something the people of First Data never take for granted. Thank you for your commitment.

CHARLIE FOTE
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER