DALLAS – TNB Card Services, the card processing arm of credit union-owned Town North Bank, has inked a deal with First Data Corp, its card processor, which will allow it to offer First Data's STAR Network to all the credit unions with whom it has agent credit card issuing contracts. TNB is one of the leading purchasers of credit union credit card portfolios. STAR offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 1.6 million ATM and retail locations coast-to-coast. "With the increased need to combine PIN and signature in one source and the changes looming in the industry, it's critical that credit unions know they have the best options available," said Glen Lee, first senior vice president of TNB Card Services. "Our First Data/STAR Network solution enables them to utilize a world-class EFT program without any risk to their MasterCard or Visa relationship." Lee said that his comments were directed toward network instability overall and denied that it was directed at any one network. Houston-based Pulse EFT, now a member of Discover, has been the subject of speculation about possible conflict it might experience with Visa and MasterCard. "First Data and the STAR Network offer a premier solution for credit unions and their members," said Scott Betts, president of First Data Enterprise Payments. "We're excited to expand our relationship with TNB Card Services to offer their clients the opportunity to enhance their debit card programs with access to a PIN-secured debit network with broad coverage and quality processing services." TNB's debit offering delivers a single authorization point for all debit/ATM card activity, to help reduce fraud, secures higher transaction approval rates, and features market-leading reliability and uptime along with PC-based point-and-click management tools, the firm said. TNB provides gateways to all major debit, credit, and EBT providers. For the ATM terminal, the solution offers enhanced features such as statements at the ATM, graphics distribution for advertising, alternate media dispensing, and foreign language support. A spokesperson for the firm said that TNB planned to aggressively offer the STAR platform to its credit union agent partners because the capabilities it offers are so strong. -

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