Paymentech Enhances PMAA Program With New, Lower Payment Processing Rates; Agreement Helping Independent Business Owners Leverage Strength in Numbers

DALLAS, Nov. 3, 2003 -- The Petroleum Marketers Association of America representing approximately 8,000 independent petroleum marketers nationwide -- has renewed its endorsement of Dallas-based payment processor Paymentech as the organization's preferred payment processor. As a result, Paymentech is now offering even lower, more competitive rates to petroleum business owners.

Under the agreement, PMAA members combine their collective transactions to gain higher overall volume and qualify for a lower rate. Paymentech has had a processing agreement with PMAA members for two years. Paymentech also provides credit card processing for PMAA's Spirit(TM) brand locations.

"We are very pleased with the way PMAA members have responded to this program," said Holly Tuminello, PMAA Vice President. "Their participation has created enough volume that Paymentech was able to reduce its processing rates. We hope more members will consider Paymentech as a processor for their credit card transactions."

In addition to the competitive processing rates, Tuminello said that Paymentech's dedication of a full-time PMAA account representative has made the program a success.

"Members who are interested in the program have a point of contact who is knowledgeable about the petroleum industry, PMAA members and this program," Tuminello added.

The processing agreement is an extension of a strategic effort Paymentech launched two years ago to provide specialized solutions and technology to the petroleum industry. The PMAA program offers rates that reduce the marketers' processing expense as much as 30% and possibly more in certain cases.

"We built the agreement with PMAA because it would help our merchants increase their earning power," said Tom Nipper, Paymentech's Petroleum Sales Director. "Now the new rates will offer them an even greater business advantage in a highly competitive industry."

PMAA members who would like to learn more about the program should call Trudi Horne, Paymentech's PMAA representative at 866-669-6982.

About PMAA

The Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) is a federation of 44 state and regional trade associations representing approximately 8,000 independent petroleum marketers nationwide. Its mission is to nationally unify petroleum marketers through their state and regional associations in order to effectively further the common business interests of the petroleum marketing industry.

About Paymentech

Paymentech, L.P. processes more payment transactions than any other company in North America -- and more than half of all Internet transactions -- for retailers accepting U.S. and international payments via traditional point of sale, Internet, catalog and recurring payments. The privately held company, founded in 1985, is an end-to-end processor for merchants of all sizes and industries. Paymentech's 1,500 employees office in multiple locations, including the Dallas headquarters; New York; Salem, NH; Tampa, FL; and Tempe, AZ. In 2002, Paymentech and its Canadian affiliate, based in Toronto, processed 4.2 billion transactions and $123 billion in bankcard sales in 14 currencies. For more information, please visit www.paymentech.com .