BARCELONA, Spain and ATLANTA, Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Comercia Global Payments EP, S.L, a joint venture between the U.S.-based Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) and "la Caixa," the largest retail bank in Spain, today announced the companies have launched an interest-free Installment Payment Program in Spain.  Merchants throughout Spain can now offer customers the convenience of interest-free installment payments over a three, six or 12-month period for qualifying purchases using their "la Caixa" credit card.

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This innovative installment payment product offers zero interest on credit card purchases during the installment period, instant customer approvals at the point-of-sale and minimal merchant set-up. Installment Payment Program is operationally streamlined for merchants as the Comercia Global Payments point-of-sale terminal automatically detects any "la Caixa" credit card purchase over the qualifying amount and offers the option for installment payments.  The product is particularly suited for merchants looking to increase high-ticket sales items such as jewelry, consumer electronics, travel and hospitality, lifestyle products and telecommunications. 

"Installment Payment Program is a win-win for the 'la Caixa' cardholder and our merchant customers in Spain," said Sid Singh, senior vice president and global head of product at Global Payments Inc. "Economic conditions continue to be challenging in the local markets, as Spanish consumers look for more value and convenience, and merchants want to continue to sell their high-ticket products and services."

Comercia Global Payments, formed in 2010, is a joint venture between Global Payments and "la Caixa" to provide merchant acquiring and payment processing services to merchants throughout Spain. 

"la Caixa" is the leading financial group in Spain and the largest network in the Spanish financial system with 13 million customers, 6,000 branches and 10,000 ATMs, It also holds a leading position in online banking through Linea Abierta, with 8.6 million customers; mobile phone banking, with more than 2.6 million customers and the highest number of financial service users in Spain; and electronic banking, with 12.5 million cards in circulation. "la Caixa" undertakes the banking activity indirectly through CaixaBank. Visit http://www.lacaixa.com/corporate/home_en.html for more information about the bank.

Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) is a leading provider of electronic transaction processing services for merchants, Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs), financial institutions, government agencies and multi-national corporations located throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.  Global Payments, a Fortune 1000 company, offers a comprehensive line of processing solutions for credit and debit cards, business-to-business purchasing cards, gift cards, electronic check conversion and check guarantee, verification and recovery including electronic check services, as well as terminal management.  Visit www.globalpaymentsinc.com for more information about the company and its services.

Media Relations Contacts

"la Caixa" 
Direccion Corporativa de Comunicacion 
Phone: Tel: +34 93 404 7468 / 8108 
Email: prensa@lacaixa.es 
http://prensa.lacaixa.es/caixabank

Global Payments Inc.
Amy W. Corn
Phone: +1 678.643.2565
Email: amy.corn@globalpay.com

SOURCE Global Payments Inc.