content: <HTML>
  <HEAD>
  <TITLE></TITLE>
  </HEAD>
  <BODY>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Flush Lv 4-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width Begin" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
  <TR VALIGN=TOP>
  <TD>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
  COMMISSION <BR>Washington, D.C. 20549 </FONT></P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Form 8-K </FONT></P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>CURRENT REPORT </FONT></P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Pursuant to Section 13
  or 15(d) of <BR>the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </FONT></P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center Underline-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>January 18, 2005</U><BR>Date of Report<BR>(Date of
  Earliest Event Reported)</FONT></P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2> </FONT></P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center Underline-TNR" FSL="Default" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Total System
  Services, Inc.</U> <BR>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) </FONT></P>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width End" FSL="Workstation" -->
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=600>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TH></TH>
       <TH></TH>
       <TH></TH></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD WIDTH=25% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Georgia</U></FONT></TD>
       <TD WIDTH=42% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>1-10254</U></FONT></TD>
       <TD WIDTH=33% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>58-1493818</U></FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(State of Incorporation)</FONT></TD>
       <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(Commission File Number)</FONT></TD>
       <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width Begin" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
  <TR VALIGN=TOP>
  <TD>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center Underline-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>1600 First Avenue,
  Columbus, Georgia 31901</U><BR>(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) </FONT></P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>(706)   649-2267 </U><BR> (Registrant&#146;s
  telephone number, including area code)  </FONT></P>
  
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Indent Lv 0-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;&#151;<BR>(Former
  name or former address, if changed since last report) </FONT></P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Indent Lv 0-TNR" FSL="Default" -->
  <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Check
  the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
  filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:  </FONT></P>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width End" FSL="Workstation" -->
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width End" FSL="Workstation" -->
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para (List) Hang LV 1-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
  <TR VALIGN=TOP>
  <TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>        |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;|  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;
        Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425) </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para (List) Hang LV 1-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
  <TR VALIGN=TOP>
  <TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>        |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;|  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;
        Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12) </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para (List) Hang LV 1-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
  <TR VALIGN=TOP>
  <TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>        |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;|  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;
        Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act <BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para (List) Hang LV 1-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
  <TR VALIGN=TOP>
  <TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>        |&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;|  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;
        Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act <BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width Begin" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
  <TR VALIGN=TOP>
  <TD>
  
  <!-- MARKER PAGE="sheet: 4; page: 4" -->
  <HR SIZE=1 COLOR=GRAY NOSHADE>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width End" FSL="Workstation" -->
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width Begin" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <BR>
  <TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="638">
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 1.01</FONT></U></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=4>
  <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.<BR><BR>
  </FONT></U></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=4>
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>In May, 1996, Total System Services, Inc. (the "Registrant") and Visa U.S.A., Inc. ("Visa U.S.A.") formed a joint venture, Vital
  Processing Services L.L.C. ("Vital"), which offers fully integrated merchant transaction and related electronic transaction
  processing services to financial and non financial institutions and their merchant customers. Currently, each of the Registrant and
  Visa U.S.A. owns a 50% interest in Vital.<BR><BR>
  On January 18, 2005, the Registrant, Visa U.S.A., Merchant Processing Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Visa U.S.A. ("MPH"
  and together with Visa U.S.A., "Visa") and Vital entered into a Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which the
  Registrant will purchase from Visa the 50% interest in Vital currently owned by Visa, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
  in the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Purchase
  Agreement, upon consummation of the transaction, Vital will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant. Pursuant to the Purchase
  Agreement, the aggregate
  consideration to be paid by the Registrant in connection with the transaction is $95.0 million.<BR><BR>
  The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2005 and is subject to regulatory approval as well as other customary
  closing conditions.<BR><BR>
  The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase
  Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.<BR><BR>
  </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 2.02</FONT></U></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=4>
  <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Results of Operations and
  Financial Condition.<BR><BR>
  </FONT></U></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=4>
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>On January 18, 2005, Registrant issued a press release and will hold an investor call and webcast on January 19, 2005 to disclose
  financial results for year ended December 31, 2004. The press release and Supplemental Information for use at this investor call are
  attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference. This information shall not be deemed to be filed for
  purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or incorporated by reference into any document filed under the
  Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such
  filing.
  <BR><BR>
  </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 7.01</FONT></U></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="86%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=4>
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Regulation FD Disclosure.
  </U><BR><BR>
  On January 18, 2005, Registrant issued a press release announcing that it had entered into a Purchase Agreement pursuant to which it
  will purchase from Visa the 50% interest in Vital currently owned by Visa. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3 and
  incorporated herein by reference.<BR><BR>
  See also Item 2.02 above.
  <BR><BR>
  </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  
  
  
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 9.01</FONT></U></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="61%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=3>
  <U><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</FONT></U></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(c)</FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Exhibits<BR><BR>
  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP"></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Exhibit No.</U></FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=2>
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Description</U><BR><BR>
  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP"></TD>
  </TR>
  
  
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>2.1  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="75%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN="3">
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Purchase Agreement<BR><BR></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
  <TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>99.1  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="75%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=3>
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Registrant's press release
  dated January 18, 2005 in connection with financial results<BR><BR>
  </FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>99.2  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="75%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=3>
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Supplemental Information prepared for use with the
  press release<BR><BR></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP"></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>99.3  </FONT></TD>
  <TD WIDTH="75%" VALIGN="TOP" COLSPAN=3>
  <FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Registrant's press release dated January 18, 2005 in connection with Vital
  <BR><BR></FONT></TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width Begin" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
  <TR VALIGN=TOP>
  <TD>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center Underline-TNR" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Signature </U></FONT></P>
  
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Indent Lv 0-TNR" FSL="Default" -->
  <P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Registrant has
  caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width End" FSL="Workstation" -->
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  
  <TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=600>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TH></TH>
       <TH></TH></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD WIDTH=55% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD>
       <TD WIDTH=45% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.<BR>&nbsp;("Registrant")</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">Dated: <U>January 18, 2005</U> </FONT></TD>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">By:<U>/s/ Kathleen Moates</U> </FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
       <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD>
      <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kathleen Moates<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Senior Deputy General Counsel</FONT></TD></TR>
  
  <TR VALIGN=Bottom>
  <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD></TR>
   </TABLE>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width Begin" FSL="Workstation" -->
  <TABLE WIDTH=600 CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 BORDER=0>
  <TR VALIGN=TOP>
  <TD>
  <P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>3</FONT></P>
  <HR SIZE=1 COLOR=GRAY NOSHADE>
  <!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Width End" FSL="Workstation" -->
  </TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  <BR>
  
  
  
  
  </BODY>
  </HTML>
metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "jan.htm", "description": "TSYS JANUARY 18, 2005 8-K FILING", "secsgml_size_bytes": 15533}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES INC", "cik": "0000721683", "assigned-sic": "7389", "irs-number": "581493818", "state-of-incorporation": "GA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-10254", "film-number": "05534182"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1600 FIRST AVENUE", "street2": "P O BOX 1755", "city": "COLUMBUS", "state": "GA", "zip": "31901", "phone": "7066492267"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1600 FIRST AVENUE", "city": "COLUMBUS", "state": "GA", "zip": "31901"}}
text: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
  COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  Form 8-K
  CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13
  or 15(d) of
  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  January 18, 2005
  Date of Report
  (Date of
  Earliest Event Reported)
  Total System
  Services, Inc.
  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
  Georgia
  1-10254
  58-1493818
  (State of Incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)
  (IRS Employer Identification No.)
  1600 First Avenue,
  Columbus, Georgia 31901
  (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
  (706)   649-2267
  (Registrant's
  telephone number, including area code)
  ————————————————————————
  (Former
  name or former address, if changed since last report)
  Check
  the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
  filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  |   |
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)
  |   |
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)
  |   |
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
  (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  |   |
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
  (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
  Item 1.01
  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
  In May, 1996, Total System Services, Inc. (the "Registrant") and Visa U.S.A., Inc. ("Visa U.S.A.") formed a joint venture, Vital
  Processing Services L.L.C. ("Vital"), which offers fully integrated merchant transaction and related electronic transaction
  processing services to financial and non financial institutions and their merchant customers. Currently, each of the Registrant and
  Visa U.S.A. owns a 50% interest in Vital.
  On January 18, 2005, the Registrant, Visa U.S.A., Merchant Processing Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Visa U.S.A. ("MPH"
  and together with Visa U.S.A., "Visa") and Vital entered into a Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which the
  Registrant will purchase from Visa the 50% interest in Vital currently owned by Visa, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
  in the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Purchase
  Agreement, upon consummation of the transaction, Vital will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant. Pursuant to the Purchase
  Agreement, the aggregate
  consideration to be paid by the Registrant in connection with the transaction is $95.0 million.
  The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2005 and is subject to regulatory approval as well as other customary
  closing conditions.
  The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase
  Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.
  Item 2.02
  Results of Operations and
  Financial Condition.
  On January 18, 2005, Registrant issued a press release and will hold an investor call and webcast on January 19, 2005 to disclose
  financial results for year ended December 31, 2004. The press release and Supplemental Information for use at this investor call are
  attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference. This information shall not be deemed to be filed for
  purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or incorporated by reference into any document filed under the
  Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such
  filing.
  Item 7.01
  Regulation FD Disclosure.
  On January 18, 2005, Registrant issued a press release announcing that it had entered into a Purchase Agreement pursuant to which it
  will purchase from Visa the 50% interest in Vital currently owned by Visa. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3 and
  incorporated herein by reference.
  See also Item 2.02 above.
  Item 9.01
  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  (c)
  Exhibits
  Exhibit No.
  Description
  2.1
  Purchase Agreement
  99.1
  Registrant's press release
  dated January 18, 2005 in connection with financial results
  99.2
  Supplemental Information prepared for use with the
  press release
  99.3
  Registrant's press release dated January 18, 2005 in connection with Vital
  Signature
  Pursuant
  to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Registrant has
  caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  TOTAL SYSTEM SERVICES, INC.
  ("Registrant")
  Dated:
  January 18, 2005
  By:
  /s/ Kathleen Moates
  Kathleen Moates
  Senior Deputy General Counsel
  3