First Data Corp, the payments processor for hundreds of credit unions, has outsourced more jobs.

First Data Spokeswoman Nancy Etheredge confirmed a story posted Tuesday on website Omaha.com that said the firm had let another 21 jobs in the Omaha area go to an outside vendor.  Headquartered in Atlanta, First Data was originally formed in Omaha in 1969.

The pink slipped jobs were administrative, in the area of accounts payable and managing travel related expenses and payments, Etheredge said.

“This decision is a reflection of our ongoing efforts to improve efficiencies, and operate the most cost-effective business we can while remaining competitive in today's market,” she said. “The vendor offers advanced technology and automation that we are looking to leverage for this function.”

Etheredge also said the changes would not in any way impact credit unions that process payments with First Data and added that the firm hoped that some of the displaced workers would be able to rehired in other parts of the firm that are hiring now.

First Data has struggled with income and debt issues ever since private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. took it private in 2007, sharply increasing the firm's debt load. Omaha.com reported that it owes roughly $22 billon, a figure it drew from the firm's filings with the Security and Exchange Commission.