TransFirst acquires DPI, the endorsed payment processor of the ERA

TransFirst Inc., a provider of transaction processing and payment technologies, has acquired DPI Merchant Services, the exclusively endorsed provider of merchant services for the Electronic Retailing Association.

DPI has more than years experience processing card-not-present transactions. TransFirst says the acquisition adds proprietary e-commerce, mail/phone order, and other card-not-present transaction processing and payment technology capabilities to its portfolio.

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"Card processing and payment technologies are not just business categories for TransFirst; they are our core business," said Thomas Rouse, TransFirst`s chief executive officer. "As with our recent merger with PulseCard, which gave us vertical depth in the health services transaction processing industry, DPI brings necessary capabilities and technology to the company that enables us to continue providing the exemplary and complete services to which our customers are accustomed and positions us to take advantage of growing and profitable industry segments."

TransFirst says the acquisition is part of its strategy to acquire market share and additional expertise in a number of sectors of the transaction processing industry. TransFirst was recapitalized in 2000 by GTCR Golder Rauner, a private equity investment firm. With the recapitalization, TransFirst says it has substantial capital for strategic acquisitions and mergers.

TransFirst processed $3 billion in transactions last year. DPI processed more than $850 million for more than 1,500 direct marketing and e-commerce merchants.