first data was founded in omaha, nebraska in 1971. it started off by providing processing services to the mid-america bankcard association (maba). in 1976, first data became the first processor of visa and mastercard bank-issued credit cards. in 1980, american express information services corporation (isc) bought 80% of first data. the remaining 20% was purchased in 5% increments each subsequent year until june 1983. first data corporation was incorporated on the 7th of april, 1989.