Deutsche Card Services named as best Card Acquiring Service Provider for international merchants

Cologne, 05 March 2010 - Deutsche Card Services has recently been named as the best Card Acquiring Service Provider for international merchants by The European Card Acquiring Forum (ECAF). This international award was presented by an independent jury of experts at the leading European acquiring conference in Berlin last week. Deutsche Card Services, a part of Deutsche Bank Group, broadens the range of cash management services offered by the Group's Global Transaction Banking ("GTB") department. Established in 2008, the company offers international one-stop full-service solutions for non-cash card payment transactions.
 
Despite the fact that card payments already amount to approximately one third of all payments for goods and services, the card business and its contractors are often underestimated. The ECAF awards that were handed out for the first time are destined to raise awareness for this important sector. As consulting and cooperation with an experienced partner is essential to successfully accept card payments, the awards were themed "Guiding Hands".

The International Award goes to the acquirer who did set-up the best offer, programme or system, to service international merchants. Leon Dhaene, Chairman of the Guiding Hand Awards, explains: "The Jury looked in particular at the market reach, a truly international solution proven in multiple markets, evaluated innovation and differentiation, value add to the customer, the commercial viability, and the effective use of different channels."

Commenting on the award win, Marilyn Spearing, Global Head of GTB"s Trade Finance and Cash Management Corporates stated, "This award win demonstrates the market need for a dedicated international acquirer and payment service provider. Backed by our strong brand, Deutsche Card Services will, going forward, continue to show innovation to assert our position and secure growth."

Detlef Henkel, CEO of Deutsche Card Services, added. "We are delighted to receive the award as the best international service provider which clearly shows our achievements in the past 18 months and fully justifies our decision to expand our Cash Management offering with the establishment of Deutsche Card Services in 2008. However, as the market is in motion, not least due to the introduction of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), client demands are continually changing. In this respect, further product and service expansion is planned."