First Data Releases November 2012 SpendTrend® Analysis

November Card Spending Growth Solid Despite Tough Year-Over-Year Comparables

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--First Data Corporation, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, today released its First Data SpendTrend^® analysis for the full month of November 2012 compared to November 2011. SpendTrend tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.

“At first glance, it appears that spending growth is healthy heading into the holiday season”

Dollar volume growth remained solid at 5.8% in November, down from 6.7% in October. The growth was considered healthy as November 2011 was a strong month with dollar volume growth of 7.3%. The growth significantly weighted to spending at retailers during the latter half of the month. Although Black Friday retail spending was weaker this year with growth at 8.3% compared to 9.7% last year, overall November dollar volume growth still performed well.

Most retail segments experienced healthy year-over-year dollar volume growth. Overall Retail dollar volume growth was 5.6%, a three-month high and a significant jump compared to the 3.5% growth in October. Year-over-year average ticket growth was -0.2% in November, down from October’s growth of 0.8%. Retail average ticket growth of 2.0% remained relatively stable, which reflects the strengthening position of retail as some merchants are less inclined to drive sales at the expense of margins.

“At first glance, it appears that spending growth is healthy heading into the holiday season,” said Rikard Bandebo, vice president and economist, First Data. “However, November 2012 was among the slower growth months this year, so retailers may begin to engage in more competitive pricing to attract shoppers as the holiday season progresses.”

November Dollar Volume Growth	CHANGE
Credit	+6.8%
Signature Debit	+4.8%
PIN Debit	+5.3%
Check	-4.3%
Closed-Loop Prepaid	+11.0%
Note: All transactions are same-store growth.

For more information on First Data SpendTrend, visit www.firstdata.com/infoanalytics or call SpendTrend Customer Care at 800-430-0169. A supplementary podcast including further analysis of the SpendTrend November 2012 report is available here.

To participate in the SpendTrend conversation, please follow First Data at http://twitter.com/spendtrend and join us at http://facebook.com/spendtrend.

Around the world, every second of every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial institutions and their customers. First Data leverages its vast product portfolio and expertise to drive customer revenue and profitability. Whether the choice of payment is by debit or credit card, gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the checkout counter, First Data takes every opportunity to go beyond the transaction.

First Data SpendTrend, a macro-economic indicator, is based on aggregate same-store sales activity in the First Data Point of Sale Network. First Data SpendTrend does not represent First Data’s financial performance.