First Data International Appoints Mobile Solutions PaymentsExpert

Bakhshi joins First Data from U.S. financial services firm, FleetBoston, and will lead First Data Mobile Solutions; a business unit focused solely on mobile services, including mobile payments, prepaid top-up and mobile content. Her appointment confirms First Datas commitment to driving the development of the mobile payments sector. Bakhshi has extensive experience in the banking industry, having previously held executive level positions at FleetBoston, Home Savings of America and Bank One Corporation. Prior to this role, she served as an executive vice president of consumer deposits and payments at FleetBoston. First Data Mobile Solutions is leading the global development of an interoperable mobile payment standard, working with associated companies, mobile network operators, and merchant acquirers. Through its Encorus processing platform, First Data connects mobile operators and merchants with a universal payment infrastructure that is highly secure and easy to use, while providing consumers with a more convenient, cashless payment alternative. In 2004 Encorus was named a transaction processor to Simpay, the consumer m-payment brand formed by Orange, Telefónica Móviles, T-Mobile and Vodafone, in a multi-year deal covering both Western Europe and the United States. Additionally, First Data specialises in the management and delivery of innovative electronic products and the provision of electronic payment solutions for the prepaid cellular - or mobile top-up - market, as well as the mobile content and mobile entertainment markets.