First Sentry Bank Expands Relationship with First Data

ATLANTA – First Data Corporation, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment processing, today announced that it has expanded its relationship with First Sentry Bank. The bank, which has worked with First Data since 2005, has renewed its debit processing and loyalty services agreements, as well as STAR Network membership, and has also selected First Data to provide ATM Managed Services.

Based in Huntington, W.Va., First Sentry Bank serves the tri-state area of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky with four branch locations and an extensive network of ATMs. The bank has $491 million in assets. STAR is one of the nation’s leading electronic funds transfer (EFT) networks, with more than 2 million retail and ATM locations, and a First Data company.

“First Sentry has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with First Data and STAR, and this partnership helps enable us to move forward confidently with our growth objectives,” said Geoff Sheils, president and CEO of First Sentry Bank. “By also entrusting the servicing responsibilities for our ATMs to First Data, we can focus more on growing our current and new banking relationships.”

“By building on the services that First Data provides to First Sentry, the bank is able to align its resources where they matter – serving and building relationships with cardholders,” said Bryan Kratz, senior vice president, Community Financial Institutions, for First Data. “The bank will also draw on our expertise and our insight into consumer needs to build loyalty across its customer base by delivering the services its cardholders expect.”

About First Sentry Bank
First Sentry Bank, a West Virginia State Chartered Bank, commenced operations on October 23, 1996 after raising $6 million in capital from a private stock offering, and spent its first 19-20 months operating from a small, renovated restaurant building at its current downtown Huntington location. The bank is widely held by local investors with no one investor owning more than 5% of the stock. In 2009, the bank merged with Guaranty Bank and Trust and became the largest bank, in terms of deposits, in Cabell County, W.Va. The bank operates from four locations: a downtown office at 823 8th Street in Huntington, a Pea Ridge office on U.S. Route 60, a Barboursville office located off Merritt’s Creek Road and an office in Hamlin, WV. The bank offers its customers 24/7 banking access through its website, mobile banking and telephone banking, 304/399-6400. More information can be obtained at www.firstsentry.com.

About First Data
Around the world, every second of every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial institutions and their customers. First Data leverages its vast product portfolio and expertise to drive customer revenue and profitability. Whether the choice of payment is by debit or credit card, gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the checkout counter, First Data takes every opportunity to go beyond the transaction.