In Briefs: First Data Corp. Agrees To Do Chase Processing

First Data Corp. has been reached a definitive agreement to process credit card transactions for the new Chase Manhattan Corp.

First Data had processed for one merger partner, Chemical Banking Corp., since 1988, but Chase handled its processing internally.

A letter of intent had been signed between First Data and the merging banks in January, and the announcement of the agreement did not come as a surprise.

"Most people expected this to happen," said Goldman, Sachs & Co. analyst Greg Gould. "There are probably going to be more large contracts of this kind for First Data. They are offering an expanded group of products and services, which will make it more appealing to outsource to them."

In its earnings report for the quarter, released this week, First Data reported net income of $105.8 million, up 26% over the same period last year.

Expenses incurred by the fourth quarter 1995 merger of First Data Corp. with First Financial Management Corp. were $16.3 million, decreasing first quarter net income by $10 million. Cardholder accounts grew by 35%, to 128 million, and merchant transactions increased 53%, to $1.23 billion.

Combined, Chase and Chemical have 11 million accounts and $21 billion in merged receivables.

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