First Data and VeriFone form payment security partnership

First Data, a global technology and payments processing leader, and VeriFone Holdings (NYSE: PAY), a global provider of secure payment solutions, today announced a strategic partnership to promote and enhance secure payment solutions.

Under the relationship, First Data has become a preferred distributor and reseller of VeriFone secure countertop payment solutions in the United States, through its TASQ Technology subsidiary. TASQ Technology is a market leader in delivering value-added repair, maintenance and deployment services for payment devices to merchants of all sizes.

VeriFone will design, build and manufacture new, high-volume co-branded countertop payment systems that will expand the First Data award-winning line of payment solutions. Together the companies will explore other opportunities including non-US reseller and distribution relationships, EMV countertop solutions, and Class A certification of other VeriFone devices.

"We are pleased that two leaders of the payment industry are working together to better serve the merchant community," said Ed Labry, president of Retail and Alliance Services at First Data.

"First Data's confidence in VeriFone is a tremendous honor and we will work diligently to continue to validate that trust," said Douglas Bergeron, CEO of VeriFone.