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    First Data Marketcap, Net Worth, Revenue, Competitors 2025

    First Data Corporation operates as a leading global provider of electronic commerce and payment processing services, handling merchant transactions, credit and debit card processing, and money transfer operations. Spun off from American Express in 1992, the company evolved from a Nebraska-based bankcard processing cooperative into a multinational payments technology giant serving millions of merchant locations worldwide.

    Originally founded in 1971 as First Data Resources providing processing services to the Mid-America Bankcard Association, the company expanded through strategic acquisitions and geographic diversification across 34 countries. First Data serves 6.2 million merchant locations through comprehensive payment solutions including e-commerce processing, card issuing, check processing, and money order services.

    In 2007, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts acquired First Data Corporation in one of history’s largest leveraged buyouts, taking the company private and initiating significant operational restructuring. The transaction valued at approximately $29 billion with $24 billion debt financing reshaped the payments processing industry and established First Data’s position as a privately held financial technology infrastructure provider.

    Key Stats

    1971
    Year Founded
    6.2M
    Merchant Locations Served
    34
    Countries Operating
    1992
    American Express Spin-off
    2007
    KKR Acquisition Year

    First Data Corporation History

    1969
    Mid-America Bankcard Association (MABA) was formed in Omaha, Nebraska as a non-profit bankcard processing cooperative, establishing the foundation for what would become First Data Corporation’s payment processing operations.
    1971
    First Data Resources (FDR) incorporated in June to become a for-profit organization providing processing services to MABA. The company launched with 110 employees and $222 million in annual revenues.
    1980
    American Express Information Services Corporation (ISC) purchased 80% of FDR, initiating transformation from regional processor to national payments technology provider under major financial services corporation ownership.
    1983
    American Express completed acquisition of remaining 20% FDR ownership through 5% annual increments purchased between 1980 and June 1983, achieving full ownership of the payment processing subsidiary.
    1992
    First Data Corporation spun off from American Express and went public, establishing independent operations and enabling aggressive expansion strategies in payment processing markets through public equity capital access.
    1995
    First Data merged with First Financial Management Corp. (FFMC), acquiring Western Union in the process. The company reorganized into three business units serving card issuers, merchants, and consumers.
    1998
    First Data expanded transaction processing services internationally beyond the United States into United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, and Canada markets while experiencing significant growth in Western Union agent location networks.
    2004
    First Data completed $6.6 billion merger with Concord EFS, acquiring STAR Network and adding PIN-based debit acceptance at more than 1.9 million ATM and retail locations nationwide.
    2006
    First Data announced intention to spin off Western Union on January 26, completing the tax-free distribution of 100% Western Union shares to First Data shareholders on September 29, 2006.
    2007
    Kohlberg Kravis Roberts announced acquisition agreement on April 2 and officially took over First Data Corporation on October 1 in one of history’s largest leveraged buyouts, financed with $24 billion debt.
    2007
    First Data’s stock was delisted from New York Stock Exchange on September 24 following KKR acquisition. Within two months, the company laid off 1,700 employees representing approximately 6% of workforce across North America, Europe, and Australia.
    2009
    First Data acquired ICICI Bank’s merchant services business for 4 billion Indian rupees ($80 million USD), expanding presence in India’s rapidly growing electronic payment market.
    2013
    First Data announced acquisition of POS startup Clover in October, followed by purchase of cardless mobile loyalty startup Perka later that month, demonstrating commitment to mobile payment innovation.

    First Data Corporation Founders

    Mid-America Bankcard Association
    Founded in 1969 in Omaha, Nebraska as a non-profit bankcard processing cooperative, MABA established the foundation for First Data Resources’ 1971 incorporation as a for-profit payment processing organization.

    First Data Corporation Competitors

    First Data Corporation competes in the global payment processing and financial technology sector against merchant acquirers, payment networks, and technology providers. The company faces competition from established financial services firms, emerging fintech startups, and integrated payment solutions across merchant services, card issuing, and electronic commerce processing segments.

    Competitor Primary Services Market Segment
    Visa Payment Network Card Processing
    Mastercard Payment Network Card Processing
    PayPal Digital Payments E-commerce Processing
    Square Payment Processing Merchant Services
    Worldpay Payment Processing Merchant Acquiring
    Global Payments Payment Technology Merchant Services
    Fiserv Financial Technology Payment Processing
    ADP Payment Solutions Payment Processing
    FIS Financial Technology Payment Systems
    Stripe Payment Processing Online Payments

    First Data Corporation Acquisitions

    First Data Corporation pursued aggressive acquisition strategies to expand geographic reach, enhance technology capabilities, and consolidate payment processing market share. The company’s acquisition philosophy emphasized complementary businesses strengthening core payment processing operations while adding innovative technologies and entering high-growth international markets.

    The transformative 1995 merger with First Financial Management Corp. brought Western Union into First Data’s portfolio, significantly expanding consumer payment capabilities and agent location networks. This acquisition reorganized First Data into three business units serving card issuers, merchants, and consumers, diversifying beyond pure transaction processing into money transfer and consumer financial services.

    Between 2001 and 2005, First Data executed expansion through multiple strategic acquisitions including PaySys International and their globally successful VisionPLUS Payment Software System in 2001. The 2004 merger with Concord EFS for $6.6 billion represented the company’s largest acquisition, adding STAR Network and PIN-based debit acceptance at over 1.9 million ATM and retail locations nationwide.

    Additional acquisitions during this expansion period included GovOne for government payment processing, Paymap Inc. servicing electronic payment products, and Taxware which merged into newly formed entity Velosant spearheading supply chain management initiatives. First Data also established eONEGlobal as a venture capital fund investing in emerging payment technologies and established consumer payments brand for direct debit retail marketplace offerings.

    First Data’s international expansion strategy included acquiring merchant services businesses in key growth markets. The 2008 joint venture with Allied Irish Banks created AIB Merchant Services entering Ireland market on January 18. In 2009, First Data acquired ICICI Bank’s merchant services business for $80 million, establishing significant presence in India’s rapidly expanding electronic payment ecosystem.

    The 2013 acquisitions of POS startup Clover and cardless mobile loyalty startup Perka demonstrated First Data’s commitment to mobile payment innovation and point-of-sale technology advancement. These strategic purchases positioned the company to compete against emerging fintech competitors disrupting traditional payment processing through smartphone-based solutions and integrated merchant services platforms.

    First Data Corporation Market Capitalization

    First Data Corporation operated as a publicly traded company from its 1992 spin-off from American Express until the 2007 Kohlberg Kravis Roberts leveraged buyout. Following the acquisition, First Data’s stock was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange on September 24, 2007, eliminating public market capitalization as the company transitioned to private ownership.

    First Data Corporation Revenue

    First Data Corporation generates substantial revenue through merchant acquiring services, card issuing and processing, payment network operations, and e-commerce solutions. The company’s financial performance reflects its position as a global payment processing infrastructure provider, though detailed public financial disclosure ended following the 2007 privatization.

    FAQs

    When was First Data Corporation founded?

    First Data Resources was founded in 1971 in Omaha, Nebraska, providing processing services to Mid-America Bankcard Association. The company spun off from American Express as First Data Corporation in 1992.

    Who owns First Data Corporation?

    Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) acquired First Data Corporation in 2007 through one of history’s largest leveraged buyouts, taking the company private and delisting it from the New York Stock Exchange.

    What services does First Data provide?

    First Data provides e-commerce processing, merchant transaction services, credit and debit card issuing and processing, money orders, check processing, and payment network operations serving 6.2 million merchant locations across 34 countries.

    Did First Data own Western Union?

    Yes, First Data acquired Western Union through its 1995 merger with First Financial Management Corp. The company spun off Western Union as an independent publicly traded entity on September 29, 2006.

    What happened to First Data after KKR acquisition?

    Following the 2007 KKR acquisition, First Data became privately held, delisted from NYSE, laid off 1,700 employees representing 6% of workforce, and continued operations financed with $24 billion debt.

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