First Data, Oberthur Technologies sign long-term strategic technology, commercial partnership

First Data Corporation and Oberthur Technologies today announced a strategic partnership to manage and promote EMV in the United States. First Data is a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing. Oberthur Technologies is one of the world's largest providers of security and identification solutions and services based on smart card technologies.

The partnership will leverage Oberthur Technologies' expertise, smart cards and Common Personalisation System (CPS), along with both companies' card personalisation capabilities, to deliver a robust, secure and comprehensive EMV solution. As part of the partnership, Oberthur Technologies has also become First Data's preferred provider of EMV smart cards.

"With this agreement, First Data extends its market leadership with an outstanding solution that provides card issuers with flexibility, security and control," said Frank Bisignano, CEO, First Data. "Oberthur Technologies' industry leading EMV technology and chips further strengthen our offering. The partnership reflects First Data's determination to lead the industry in preparing for the US EMV migration and provide its customers a world-class solution."

"This agreement solidifies our leadership position in the US EMV market," said Didier Lamouche, CEO, Oberthur Technologies. "First Data's presence and relationships in the US market make them a great partner for Oberthur Technologies to bring EMV solutions to US card issuers. Furthermore, the selection of our technology by the leading card processor in a partnership of such scale is further proof of how Oberthur Technologies is transforming itself to accelerate its development and capture new market opportunities."

First Data has supported EMV for more than a decade. Globally, the company has been an approved EMV transaction processor since 1999. First Data has also successfully personalised and fulfilled a number of US issuers' EMV chip card portfolios since the move to EMV in the US began. The company also recently announced that it has completed MasterCard testing requirements to process Maestro EMV ATM transactions.

Oberthur Technologies has continuously invested for more than 10 years in the US, where it has two personalisation centres and a manufacturing site, in preparation for the EMV migration. This effort has accelerated in 2013 with significant investments in manufacturing and personalisation resources.

Oberthur Technologies currently provides First Data with full outsourcing of personalisation services in the UK.