First Data jumps ahead in smart card game

OMAHA, Neb. – First Data Resources, a card issuing services subsidiary of First Data Corporation, has become the first U.S. processor certified to personalize MasterCard smart cards on the MULTOS operating system. “Now that the infrastructure is in place to enable U.S. financial institutions to issue MULTOS cards, we look forward to working with FDR,” said MasterCard International Infrastructure/standards Vice President Simon Pugh. The certification marks a milestone for First Data as a smart card service bureau. “This certification is one additional capability that plays a key role in enabling our card issuing clients with the advanced tools they need to launch a smart card program,” said FDR Smart Commerce Vice President Alison Colquhoun.