Total issuer cardholder transactions increased 12.7% for the quarter, the seventh consecutive quarter of increased growth and the fourth straight quarter with double digit growth. Accounts on file were 392.4 million, an increase of 15.7% over last year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, total revenues increased 4.6% over 2010 and were up 7.4% excluding 2010 termination fees. Basic EPS were $0.83, a 12.1% increase over 2010, and increased 30.8% excluding 2010 termination fees.

TSYS today also announced that its Board of Directors approved a 42.9% increase in the regular quarterly dividend payable on TSYS common stock from $0.07 per share to $0.10 per share, payable on January 3, 2012 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 15, 2011.

"Given the resiliency of the card market, the increase in transactions, addition of new accounts from our sales pipeline and associated fees, we are raising our revenue guidance to a range of 4% to 5% for total revenues and 5% to 6% for revenues before reimbursable items. As a result of improved operations, lower effective tax rates and share repurchases, which are partially offset by negative currency impact, we are raising our guidance for income from continuing operations to a range of $219 to $221 million, and our EPS guidance to a range of $1.14 to $1.15," said Philip W. Tomlinson, chairman and chief executive officer of TSYS.

"In the third quarter, we purchased 2.2 million shares for $37.2 million, bringing the year-to-date total to 4.2 million shares for $72.9 million. During the year, we returned $40.6 million to shareholders through dividends. We are pleased to announce an increase to shareholder return by raising our quarterly dividend 42.9%, to $0.10 per share. We believe this demonstrates our ongoing confidence in the long-term strength of our business and rewards our shareholders," said Tomlinson.