TSYS Positioned for International Debit Growth
TSYS to Provide Brand-Neutral Support
Columbus, Ga., Dec. 11, 2001 - TSYS® (NYSE: TSS) is poised to capture a greater share of the rapidly growing debit payments market with its licensing of software from ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: TSAI). Through this offering, TSYS will provide its clients with the ability to switch and route transactions through any PIN-based (on-line) debit network as well as a third-party gateway into international ATM networks. It also allows TSYS to provide its clients with brand-neutral support for any card product.
TSYS will begin implementing ACI's software into its newly designed Integrated Payments Platform, providing the ability to conduct domestic and international PIN-based debit transactions, including on-line transaction processing, switching, routing and ATM terminal driving. TSYS has processed domestic, signature-based (off-line) debit transactions since the 1970s.
According to Nilson Reports, debit card transactions increased 54 percent in 2000, and usage continues to grow as the debit card evolves into more than just an electronic extension of a checking account.
"ACI is the industry-leading software provider for debit networks and by incorporating their software with our Integrated Payments Platform, we will be able to provide direct access to all major ATM networks," said Debra Wohlrab, group executive of TSYS Integrated Payments division. "TSYS will be the only processor to offer the product with the proven architecture and flexible option-driven structure of our Integrated Payments Platform."
"TSYS has a tradition of leadership and innovation, and this new offering reflects their commitment," said Mark Vipond, president of ACI Worldwide. "As debit card use grows, TSYS can count on ACI's proven software to quickly and reliably route on-line and off-line transactions-and meet the 'always available' processing needs of their clients."
ACI provides TSYS with an integrated processing infrastructure that securely and reliably processes debit card transactions. The system can address a wide range of needs for debit card processing, including multi-currency and emerging security schemes, all on a platform that sets the standard for reliable and scalable transaction processing.
About ACI Worldwide
Every second of every day, consumers are initiating electronic payment transactions - getting cash at ATMs, using debit and credit cards to make purchases in stores and on the Internet, banking by phone and PC, paying bills online. Twenty billion times a year, ACI software is used to process these transactions, powering the world's online payment systems. ACI was founded in 1975 and pioneered the development of applications and networking software for online transaction processing. Today more than 530 customers in 79 countries use ACI-supplied software. Visit ACI Worldwide on the Internet at www.aciworldwide.com.
About TSYS
TSYS (www.tsys.com) brings integrity and innovation to the world of electronic payments. TSYS serves as the integral link between buyers and sellers in the rapidly evolving universe of electronic payments. With more than 200 million accounts on file, TSYS makes it possible for millions of consumers to use their credit, debit, stored value, commercial, smart and retail cards anytime, anywhere through any medium or portal. TSYS and its family of companies offer a full range of acquiring and issuing services from accepting and settling electronic payments for goods and services, to credit applications, bankruptcy and collections. Based in Columbus, Ga., TSYS processes for 23 countries, in 14 currencies, in four languages and maintains operations in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom. TSYS is an 80.8-percent-owned subsidiary of Synovus Financial Corp. (NYSE: "SNV") (www.synovus.com ), No. 8 on FORTUNE magazine's list of "The 100 Best Companies To Work For" in 2001. For more information, contact news@tsys.com.
Contacts:
Rebecca Stringer
TSYS Corporate Communications
706.649.7193
rstringe@tsys.com
Leo S. Berard
TSYS Investor Relations
706.644.6081
leoberard@synovus.com
Gene Hinkle
ACI Worldwide
402.390.8906
hinkleg@aciworldwide.com