western union provide aid to Guyana flood victims

	FLOOD VICTIMS IN GUYANA

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MEDIA ALERT

FIRST DATA WESTERN UNION FOUNDATION AND WESTERN UNION PROVIDE AID TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN GUYANA

DENVER - (March 3, 2005) - The First Data Western Union Foundation and Western Union Financial Services, Inc. announced today that they, along with their authorized agent, Grace Kennedy Remittance Services, are contributing US$60,000 to aid flood victims in Guyana.

The heaviest rains to hit Guyana in more than 100 years - more than 28 inches - fell on Boxing Day (December 26) 2004. This rain left more than 400,000 people - half the country's population - inundated with dirty flood waters. In a country that lies six feet below sea level, the disaster left nine dead and an estimated $2 million in damage.

Relief agencies including the Red Cross and businesses like Grace Kennedy Remittance Services rushed to provide aid to the residents of Guyana. However, more assistance is needed to combat food shortages, to prevent and treat water-borne illnesses, to provide potable water, and to build temporary housing for those left homeless. To support the relief effort, Western Union, its corporate foundation and its agent , Grace Kennedy Remittance Services, are providing a combined grant of US$60,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies designated specifically to relief efforts in Guyana. In addition, Grace Foods has donated US$20,000 or 2 million Guyanese dollars in food to support the effort.

"The First Data Western Union Foundation was established to address needs in the areas of education, health, and basic human services." said Luella Chavez D'Angelo, president of the First Data Western Union Foundation. "Supporting the relief efforts in Guyana by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies allows us to assist individuals and families recover from the devastation of the floods and help them to rebuild their lives."

Western Union has over 40 agent locations in Guyana. Consumers may call 1-800-325-6000 in the U.S or 592-227-5141 in Guyana to find the nearest Western Union agent location.

About Western Union Financial Services, Inc. and First Data
Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE:FDC) is an international leader in consumer money transfer services. Consumers can quickly and reliably pay bills and transfer money around the globe using the company's proprietary money transfer network. Western Union and its subsidiary, Orlandi Valuta, together make up one of the world's largest money transfer networks with a total of approximately 220,000 agent locations in more than 195 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph service, the original western Union dates back to 1851 and introduced electronic money transfer service in 1871. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.westernunion.com.

First Data Corp., with global headquarters in Denver, helps power the global economy. Serving approximately 4.1 million merchant locations, 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, First Data makes it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment: credit, debit, smart card, stored-value card or check at the point-of-sale, over the internet or by money transfer. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.firstdata.com.

About First Data Western Union Foundation

The First Data Western Union Foundation, the charitable organization of First Data Corporation (NYSE:FDC), supports philanthropic initiatives worldwide. Since its inception in December 2000, the Foundation has donated millions of dollars to help those most in need. Grants are made to non-profit organizations in health, education and human services that strengthen and improve the lives of many individuals in communities throughout the world. Scholarships are given to nontraditional college students. The Foundation also provides disaster relief funding to communities in need. Additionally, the Foundation raises money from First Data employees and business associates to increase the impact of grantmaking to communities worldwide. Please visit the Foundation's website at www.firstdatawesternunion.org.

CONTACT:
Erenay Jackson Nicole Carter or Lisa Cates
Western Union Natha Communications
Phone: (201) 263-5172 Phone: (954) 364-6260
Fax: (201) 263-6915 Fax: (954) 364-6259
renny.jackson@intl.westernunion.com nlcarter@bellsouth.net