Heartland Payment Systems Appoints New Board Member

Princeton, NJ, November 6, 2003 - Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. (HPS), an emerging leader in the payments processing industry, today announced the appointment of Jonathan Palmer to its Board of Directors.

Mr. Palmer has over 37 years of experience in the financial services industry in senior operating and strategic roles with Vital Processing Services, Wellspring Resources, Barnett Banks, Shearson Lehman Brothers and Fidelity Bank.

Jon Palmer is recognized as an industry leader in applying technology solutions that create market differentiation," said Robert O. Carr, HPS CEO and Chairman. We plan to leverage his strengths to keep Heartland in a technology leadership position in our current and future markets."

Mr. Palmers recent leadership role as President and CEO of Vital Processing Services, the nations second largest payment processor, resulted in double growth figures for the company to over 1.5 million merchant locations in less than four years utilizing a 'value add strategy in technology enhancements. Heartland will benefit from Mr. Palmers expertise as it grows its customer base in 2004 by aggressively penetrating additional vertical markets in the card acquiring industry, partially through the introduction of product enhancements. Additionally, Heartland targets community bank business and will benefit from Palmers technical and industry knowledge in creating Barnett Technologies, a subsidiary of Barnett Banks, that offered all banking back-office functions.

Mr. Palmer also brings extensive experience in establishing an achievable vision and strategy development in all of his previous positions resulting in increased market share and reduced technology expenses.

Established in 1997, Heartland has grown from 3 to 928 employees and has strategically positioned itself in the card acquiring marketplace as one of the largest independent, employee-owned companies that delivers state-of-the-art capabilities and value-added services to small-to-midsize businesses nationwide.

Jon Palmer is a welcome addition to the Board. His knowledge and experience will be a valuable asset that will help shape the future growth and technology of our company," said Robert O. Carr. It gives me great pleasure to work side-by-side with a proven industry leader."

About Heartland
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. is a full-service payment systems solutions provider handling merchant card and payroll processing services for over 60,000 merchants of all types and sizes. Using a strategically located national sales force of over 550 dedicated Relationship Managers, HPS builds long-term business relationships in local sales territories to provide merchants with enhanced technology tools that assist them in more effectively operating their businesses. Recently, Heartland was named to Inc. Magazines Top 500 List of Americas fastest growing private companies for the second consecutive year and ranked #7 in size of the 25 largest companies on the list. www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com.

CONTACT:
Robert O. Carr, CEO and Chairman, Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.
47 Hulfish, Suite 400, Princeton, NJ 08542
1-888-798-3131
Robert.Carr@e-hps.com