Entry into the fast growing Turkish market reflects First Data's strategy of developing a local presence in major markets around the world, through which to deliver its global payments expertise. First Data will offer a full range of card and loans processing services, merchant acquiring solutions, ATM & POS management, fraud and risk management and other value-added services to Turkey's financial institutions and major retail organisations.

David Yates, president of First Data International, comments: "Turkey has a payment card market that is growing rapidly, with card issuance increasing 25% a year for the past five years. Turkey's card issuers are among the most innovative in the world and we look forward to working with them to further develop the market and increase card usage. Having a local presence on the ground in Turkey ensures that we can apply our global capabilities in a manner appropriate to local market requirements."

First Data's new managing director in Turkey is Dr Soner Canko, a senior and well qualified executive with deep experience of the Turkish cards and payments market. Dr Canko joins First Data from Bilesim where, as general manager, he led that company in providing operations in support of credit & debit cards, ATMs, POS and call centre services for Ziraatbank, Halkbank and Turkish Ziraatbank Bosnia. He also held the position of Chairman on BKM, the Turkish Interbank Card Centre. Dr Canko received his Master's and PhD degrees in Economics from Istanbul University and has previously worked for Fortis (Disbank), Citibank, Procter & Gamble and Hewlett Packard Turkey.