In December 2005, GZS Gesellschaft für Zahlungssysteme mbH, which was acquired by First Data International earlier this year, and Bayern Card-Services (BCS) agreed to a comprehensive and long-term co-operation to provide processing and client services in seven savings bank regions. First Data will now provide credit card processing services for 77 bayerische Sparkassen and for DKB, while BCS provides customer services and sales support. In 2007, BCS will extend its non-technical service support to all of First Data’s savings bank clients. Jens Hegeler, general manager of BCS, commented: „“Together First Data and BCS are making a significant contribution to improving the attractiveness and profitability of credit card products for the savings banks. This improvement is delivered through a combination of economies of scale, cost advantages and our shared sales approach.““ Norbert Pawlowski, general manager of First Data International in Germany, added: „“This project was implemented within very tight deadlines and clearly demonstrates the technical competence of First Data. We are delighted that we have expanded our business with the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe.““ zang@bcc-ffm.de www.firstdata.com