About this book:

*Total System Services: The Story of An American Company* chronicles the remarkable journey of TSYS, a financial technology powerhouse that grew from a small bankcard department in Columbus, Georgia, into a global leader in payment processing. This comprehensive narrative details the company's evolution from its 1959 origins within Columbus Bank and Trust to its pivotal spin-off in 1983 as an independent public entity. Readers will discover how TSYS navigated the rapidly expanding credit card market of the 1980s, securing major partnerships like the transformative AT&T Universal Card deal, and steadily building its market leadership through continuous innovation and strategic expansion into merchant and consumer services.

The book delves into TSYS's strategic moves, including key acquisitions like Netspend, which propelled it into the prepaid card market and financial inclusion efforts for the underserved, and TransFirst and Cayan, which significantly bolstered its merchant acquiring capabilities. It explores the building of its iconic Riverfront Campus, its aggressive foray into international markets across EMEA and Asia-Pacific, and its unwavering commitment to compliance, security, and risk management through cutting-edge technology. Ultimately, the story culminates in the monumental 2019 merger with Global Payments, redefining its role in the global fintech landscape. This biography offers a deep dive into the "People-Centered Payments" philosophy that underpinned TSYS's corporate culture, demonstrating how its resilience, adaptability, and foresight shaped the future of payment technology worldwide.

What You'll Find Inside:

• **Origins and Growth:** Discover how TSYS evolved from a small bankcard department in 1959 within Columbus Bank and Trust into a global financial technology powerhouse, detailing its spin-off and rapid expansion in the 1980s.
• **Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions:** Explore pivotal collaborations like the AT&T Universal Card partnership and transformative acquisitions such as Netspend, TransFirst, and Cayan, which diversified TSYS's offerings into prepaid and merchant services.
• **Technological Innovation:** Learn about TSYS's relentless pursuit of technological excellence, including its TS2 processing system, adoption of AI/ML for fraud prevention, digital onboarding, and advanced data analytics solutions.
• **Global Expansion and Market Leadership:** Understand TSYS's strategic entry into international markets across EMEA and Asia-Pacific, showcasing its ability to adapt to diverse regulatory and cultural landscapes to become a worldwide leader.
• **Corporate Culture and Financial Inclusion:** Uncover TSYS's 'People-Centered Payments' philosophy, its commitment to financial inclusion for the underserved through prepaid solutions, and its strong corporate culture of integrity, excellence, and community involvement.

Who's It For:

This book is ideal for anyone interested in the history and evolution of the financial technology (fintech) industry, particularly those focused on payment processing. It will appeal to business leaders, financial professionals, students of finance and technology, and entrepreneurs seeking insights into successful corporate growth, strategic diversification, and adapting to technological disruption within a highly regulated sector.