Bank of Scotland Merchant Services, a service provided by First Data to Bank of Scotland merchant customers, completed a full rebrand in March and now operates under the new name of First Data Merchant Solutions.

This change is designed to better reflect the management of this business by First Data but it is also the first step in a longer-term plan to deliver enhanced value and solutions to First Data's merchant customer base in the UK. The launch of the First Data Merchant Solutions brand also marks the company's first acquiring venture in the UK, and one of just a few around the world to operate under First Data's own name without the attachment of a banking partner brand. This change gives First Data the ability to publicly highlight its global strength as an independent expert in the retail payments space.

"The launch of the new name and the building of this business is a key part of the growth plan for our acquiring business in Europe, an area of strategic importance for First Data," comments Nigel Bidmead, senior vice president at First Data. "Over the coming months we will be working to leverage the wider skills, expertise and product sets from the business globally in order to enhance our merchant propositions and product portfolio. This development exercise will ensure that we are well placed to meet these growth objectives and offer superior services and solutions to our new and existing merchant customers."

The enhanced propositions from First Data Merchant Solutions are set to formally launch to UK merchants this summer.