JUSTICE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT REGARDING
FIRST DATA/CONCORD TRIAL SCHEDULE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of Justice issued the following statement today after the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order scheduling the First Data and Concord trial to begin on December 15, 2003:

"The Department will comply with the Court’s schedule and try this case on December 15, 2003. The Department firmly believes that it has a strong case against First Data and Concord, and will be ready to present evidence in Court proving that the merger would substantially reduce competition among PIN debit networks, resulting in higher prices to merchants that offer PIN debit transactions to their customers."

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03-592