First Data Announces Filing of Form 10 for Western Union Spin-Off

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 2006--First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) today announced that Western Union has filed a registration statement, or Form 10, with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the planned spin-off by First Data of the Western Union business. The company also announced today that on May 12, 2006, First Data requested a favorable tax ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service with respect to the spin-off. Both the filing of the Form 10 and the filing of the ruling request with the IRS are major milestones in the company's preparation for the planned spin-off of Western Union.

"We have been diligently preparing for the spin-off over the past few months and are very pleased with the progress we have made to date. We remain squarely on track to meet our stated goal of completing the spin-off in the fourth quarter of 2006," said Ric Duques, chairman and chief executive officer of First Data. "The filing of the Form 10 is a key accomplishment in the process as it provides a first look at Western Union as a standalone company."

Duques added, "It is a testament to our employees that we were able to file the Form 10 with the SEC and request an IRS ruling in such a timely manner, and I want to thank them for their continued dedication and hard work."

The company indicated that until the Form 10 is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission it will not respond to specific questions or make comments regarding the spin-off of Western Union beyond the information contained in the Form 10.

A copy of the Form 10 has been made available on the company's website at www.firstdata.com/invest.

About First Data

First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) is a leading provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions for businesses and consumers worldwide. Serving 4.6 million merchant locations, 1,600 card issuers and millions of consumers, First Data 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 credit, debit, private-label, smart and stored-value card issuing and merchant transaction processing services; money transfer services; money orders; fraud protection and authentication solutions; check guarantee and verification services through TeleCheck; as well as Internet commerce and mobile solutions. Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta together make up one of the world's largest money transfer networks with over 270,000 Agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories. The company's STAR Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 1.9 million ATM and retail locations. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.

Notice to Investors, Prospective Investors and the Investment Community; Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding First Data Corporation's business which are not historical facts, including the projected date to complete the spin-off, are "forward-looking statements." All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on various expectations and assumptions concerning future events and they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected. Important factors upon which the Company's forward-looking statements are premised include no delay in the Securities and Exchange Commission providing comments on the Form 10 and declaring it effective and no unanticipated developments or delay in receiving the Internal Revenue Service ruling that would delay or negatively impact the planned spin-off.

FDC-1

Contacts
First Data Corp.
Investor Relations
Gary Kohn, 303-967-8276
gary.kohn@firstdata.com
or
Media Relations:
Colin Wheeler, 303-967-6553
colin.wheeler@firstdata.com