As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 10, 2012

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Filed by the Registrant  x                     Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨

Check the appropriate box:

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

10 GLENLAKE PARKWAY, NORTH TOWER

ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328

NOTICE OF 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

The 2012 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Global Payments Inc., or the Company, will be held at our offices at 10 Glenlake Parkway, North Tower, Atlanta, Georgia, 30328-3473 on September 19, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., Atlanta time, for the following purposes:

The shareholders may also transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on August 1, 2012 are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. You may vote your shares via the Internet or by telephone, as instructed in the Notice of Electronic Availability of Proxy Materials, or if you received your proxy materials by mail, you may also vote by mail.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Submitting your proxy does not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the Annual Meeting. Instead, it benefits us by reducing the expenses of additional proxy solicitation. Therefore, you are urged to submit your proxy as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time before its exercise by (i) delivering written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary, Suellyn P. Tornay, at the above address, (ii) submitting to us a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date, (iii) voting via the Internet or by telephone at a later date, or (iv) appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person; provided, however, that no such revocation under clause (i) or (ii) shall be effective until written notice of revocation or a later dated proxy card is received by the Corporate Secretary at or before the Annual Meeting, and no such revocation under clause (iii) shall be effective unless received on or before 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on September 19, 2012.

When you submit your proxy, you authorize Paul R. Garcia or Suellyn P. Tornay or either one of them, each with full power of substitution, to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions or, if no instructions are given, for the election of the Class III nominees, for the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers, for the approval of the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, and for the ratification of the reappointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the Company’s independent public accountants. The proxies, in their discretion, are further authorized to vote on any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting, for the election of one or more persons to the Board of Directors if any of the nominees becomes unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, on matters which the Board does not know a reasonable time before making the proxy solicitations will be presented at the Annual Meeting, or any other matters which may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any postponements or adjournments thereto.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

SUELLYN P. TORNAY,

Executive Vice President,

General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Dated: August 10, 2012

August 10, 2012

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

10 GLENLAKE PARKWAY, NORTH TOWER

ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30328

PROXY STATEMENT

This Proxy Statement is being furnished to solicit proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of Global Payments Inc. (the “Company” or “we”) for use at the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Annual Meeting will be held at our offices at 10 Glenlake Parkway, North Tower, Atlanta, Georgia, 30328-3473 on September 19, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., Atlanta time, for the following purposes:

The shareholders may also transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Notice of Electronic Availability of Proxy Statement and Annual Report. As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, we are making this proxy statement and our annual report available to our shareholders electronically via the Internet. The notice of electronic availability contains instructions on how to access this proxy statement and our annual report and vote online. You will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. Instead, the notice instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy statement and annual report. The notice also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy over the Internet or by telephone. If you would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials contained in the notice.

The Notice of Electronic Availability of Proxy Materials and this Proxy Statement are first being made available to shareholders on or about August 10, 2012.

(1) Voting Shares. Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, only the Company’s common shares, no par value (the “Common Stock”), may be voted at the Annual Meeting.

(2) Record Date. Only those holders of Common Stock of record at the close of business on August 1, 2012, are entitled to receive notice and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. On that date, there were approximately 78,900,000 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, held by approximately 2300 shareholders of record. These holders are entitled to one vote per share.

(3) Quorum. In order for any business to be conducted, the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting must be present (a “Quorum”), either in person or represented by proxy. Abstentions and votes withheld, and shares represented by proxies reflecting abstentions or votes withheld, will be treated as present for purposes of determining the existence of a Quorum at the Annual Meeting. They will not be considered as votes “for” or “against” any matter for which the respective shareholders have indicated their intention to abstain or withhold their votes, but in some instances may be considered votes “cast.” Broker or nominee non-votes, which occur when shares held in “street name” by brokers or nominees who indicate that they do not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter, will not be considered as votes “for” or “against” that particular matter. Broker and nominee non-votes will be treated as present for purposes of determining the existence of a Quorum and may be entitled to vote on other matters at the Annual Meeting.

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(4) Voting Options. The first proposal, which is the election of three directors in Class III, will require the vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting at which a Quorum is present. Shareholders may (i) vote “for” each nominee, or (ii) “withhold” authority to vote for any nominee. If a Quorum is present, a vote to “withhold” and a broker non-vote will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors. The three nominees receiving the most votes will be elected to serve as the Class III Directors for a three-year term.

With respect to the second proposal, the approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal. Shareholders may (i) vote “for,” (ii) vote “against,” or (iii) “abstain” from voting on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of this proposal.

With respect to the third proposal, to approve the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all classes of stock entitled to vote. Shareholders may (i) vote “for,” (ii) vote “against,” or (iii) “abstain” from voting on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be treated as a vote against this proposal.

With respect to the fourth proposal, the ratification of Deloitte as the Company’s independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2013, requires that the votes cast in favor of the proposal exceed the votes cast against the proposal. Shareholders may (i) vote “for,” (ii) vote “against,” or (iii) “abstain” from voting on the proposal. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of the reappointment of Deloitte as the Company’s independent public accountants.

(5) How to Vote. If you received a notice of electronic availability, you cannot vote your shares by filling out and returning the notice. The notice, however, provides instructions on how to vote by Internet, by telephone, or by requesting and returning a paper proxy card.

(6) Internet and Telephone Voting. Shareholders of record can simplify their voting and reduce our costs by voting their shares via the Internet or by telephone. Shareholders may submit their proxy voting instructions via the Internet or telephone by following the instructions provided in the notice of electronic availability. The Internet and telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate shareholders’ identities, to allow shareholders to vote their shares, and to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. If your shares are held in the name of a bank or a broker, the availability of Internet and telephone voting will depend on the voting processes of the applicable bank or broker; therefore, it is recommended that you follow the voting instructions on the form you receive. If you received a printed version of the proxy materials by mail, you may vote by following the instructions provided with your proxy materials and on your proxy card.

(7) Default Voting. When a proxy is timely executed and not revoked, the shares represented by the proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in the proxy. IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, HOWEVER, PROXIES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES NAMED IN PROPOSAL 1, “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN PROPOSAL 2, “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION IN PROPOSAL 3, AND “FOR” PROPOSAL 4 RELATING TO THE RATIFICATION OF THE REAPPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.

The Board of Directors is not presently aware of any business to be presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting other than the proposals noted above. If any other matter properly comes before the meeting, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the Board or, if no recommendation is made, in their own discretion.

(8) Revocation of a Proxy. A shareholder’s submission of a proxy via the Internet, by telephone, or by mail does not affect the shareholder’s right to attend in person. A shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its being voted at the Annual Meeting by (i) delivering written notice of revocation to our Corporate Secretary, Suellyn P. Tornay, at our address listed on the first page of this proxy statement, (ii) properly submitting to us a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date, (iii) voting via the Internet or by telephone at a later date, or (iv) appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person; provided, however, that no such revocation under clause (i) or (ii) shall be effective until written notice of revocation or a later dated proxy card is received by the Corporate Secretary at or before the Annual Meeting, and no such revocation under clause (iii) shall be effective unless received on or before 1:00 a.m. Central Time on September 19, 2012.

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(9) Adjourned Meeting. If a Quorum is not present, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned by the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting may be rescheduled at the time of the adjournment with no further notice of the reconvened meeting if the date, time and place of the reconvened meeting are announced at the adjourned meeting before its adjournment; provided, however, that if a new record date is or must be fixed, notice of the reconvened meeting must be given to the shareholders of record as of the new record date. An adjournment will have no effect on the business to be conducted at the meeting.

PROPOSAL ONE:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; NOMINEES

Our Bylaws provide that the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be not less than two or more than twelve, as determined from time to time by resolution of the shareholders or of the Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has adopted a resolution that the Board should have nine members. The Board of Directors currently consists of nine members, who are divided into three classes, with the term of office of each class ending in successive years. Each class of directors serves staggered three-year terms.

The three directors in Class III, Alex W. Hart, William I Jacobs, and Alan M. Silberstein have been nominated for election at the Annual Meeting. The Class III Directors will be elected to hold office until the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, or until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified, or until their respective earlier resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or death. In the event that any of the nominees is unable to serve (which is not anticipated), the persons designated as proxies will cast votes for such other person(s) as they may select.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting at which a Quorum is present is required for the election of each of the nominees. If a choice is specified on the proxy card by a shareholder, the shares will be voted as specified. If no specification is made, the shares will be voted “FOR” each of the three nominees.

The following pages set forth the names of the nominees and the directors continuing in office, their ages, the month and year in which they first became directors of the Company, their positions with the Company, their principal occupations and employers for at least the past five years, any other directorships held by them in the last five years in companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act”) or any company registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as well as additional information. The following pages include the experience that led the Board of Directors to conclude that the individual should continue to serve as a director of the Company. There is no family relationship between any of our executive officers or directors. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of our directors and any other person pursuant to which any of them was elected as a director, other than arrangements or understandings with the directors solely in their capacities as such. For information concerning membership on committees of the Board of Directors, see “Other Information about the Board and its Committees” below.

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NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR

Class III

Term Expiring Annual Meeting 2012

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MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

Class I

Term Expiring Annual Meeting 2013

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Class II

Term Expiring Annual Meeting 2014

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(1) Meetings. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012 (the 2012 fiscal year), our Board of Directors held eight meetings. All directors attended 100% of the combined total of the Board of Directors meetings and meetings of the committees on which they served during the period for which the respective director served on the Board of Directors or the applicable committee, except for Mr. Hart who attended 92% of all such meetings and Mr. Killian who attended 90% of all such meetings.

(2) Fiscal Year 2012 Director Compensation. The following table reflects the compensation payable to the outside directors of the Company.

2012 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

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(3) Compensation Policy. During fiscal year 2012, our policy regarding the compensation of our non-employee directors is summarized as follows:

All Common Stock granted pursuant to the annual stock retainer described in the table above is valued at the market price as of the date of grant and is issued under our 2011 Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the foregoing policy, Mr. Jacobs received 3,736 shares of Common Stock, and each of the other non-employee directors received 3,113 shares of Common Stock. Such Common Stock was issued and cash was paid on September 28, 2011, the business day following the annual meeting of shareholders in 2011. We believe that paying part of the annual consideration in Common Stock encourages ownership of our Common Stock by our directors.

In addition, all non-employee directors received $1,500 per Board meeting attended, except for the lead director who received $2,500 per Board meeting. Non-employee directors who served on a committee received $1,500 per committee meeting, while the chairperson of such committee received $2,500 per committee meeting. Telephonic meetings and telephonic participation for both Board meetings and committee meetings are compensated at $1,000 per meeting. We do not compensate a director who is also an employee of the Company for his or her services as a director. Directors were also compensated for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board and committee meetings.

(4) Outstanding Options for Directors. The following table reflects the outstanding options (vested and unvested) for each non-employee director as of May 31, 2012. The “spread” value contained in the third column is calculated by multiplying the number of options outstanding by the difference between the value of the Common Stock at the closing price on May 31, 2012, which was $42.48, and the exercise price of the option.

(5) Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan. The non-employee directors are eligible to participate in the Company’s Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, or “DC Plan.” Ms. Marshall and Mr. Silberstein are the only directors who participated in the DC plan during fiscal 2012. Pursuant to the DC Plan, non-employee directors are permitted to elect to defer up to 100% of their annual cash retainer and meeting fees. Participant accounts are credited with earnings based on the participant’s investment allocation among a menu of investment options selected by the DC Plan administrator. Participants are 100% vested in the participant deferrals and related earnings. The Company does not make contributions to the DC Plan and does not guarantee any return on participant account balances. Participants may allocate their plan accounts into sub-accounts that are payable upon separation from service or on designated specified dates. Except in the case of death or disability, participants may elect in advance to have their various account balances pay out in a single lump sum or in installments over a period of two to ten years. In the event a participant separates from service by reason of death or

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disability, the participant or his designated beneficiary will receive the undistributed portion of his or her account balances in a lump-sum payment. Subject to approval by the DC Plan administrator, in the event of an unforeseen financial emergency beyond the participant’s control, a participant may request a withdrawal from an account up to the amount necessary to satisfy the emergency (provided the participant does not have the financial resources to otherwise meet the hardship).

(6) Board Leadership Structure. The Board of Directors does not have a formal policy on whether the same person should serve as the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer. Since 2002, however, Mr. Garcia has served in both roles. The Board believes the combined role of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, together with a lead independent director having the duties described below, is in the best interest of the shareholders because it provides the appropriate balance between strategy development and independent oversight of management. The Board of Directors believes that having our Chief Executive Officer as Chairman of the Board facilitates the Board’s decision-making process because Mr. Garcia possesses detailed and in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities, and challenges facing the Company and its business and is thus best positioned to develop agendas (with input from the lead independent director) that ensure that the Board’s time and attention is focused on the most critical matters. His combined role enables decisive leadership, ensures clear accountability, and enhances the Company’s ability to communicate its message and strategy clearly and consistently to the Company’s shareholders, employees, customers, and suppliers.

Mr. Jacobs serves as our lead independent director. The lead independent director’s duties include providing input on the Board meeting agenda items, serving as the chairperson for all executive sessions of the independent directors, and communicating to the Chief Executive Officer the results of the independent executive Board sessions. Executive sessions of the independent directors are generally held immediately after each regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. The independent directors of the Board met in executive session eight times during our fiscal year ended May 31, 2012.

Any interested party may contact the lead independent director by directing such communications to Mr. Jacobs in care of the Corporate Secretary at our address (10 Glenlake Parkway, North Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30328-3473). Any correspondence received by the Corporate Secretary in accordance with the foregoing sentence will be forwarded to him.

(7) Director Independence. Each year the Board of Directors undertakes a review of director independence based on the standards for director independence included in the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance rules. The Board considers whether or not there existed any relationships and transactions during the past three years between each director or any member of his or her immediate family, on the one hand, and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, on the other hand. The purpose of the review is to determine whether or not any such relationships and transactions existed and, if so, whether any such relationships or transactions were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent. In fiscal year 2012, there were no such relationships or transactions between the non-employee directors and the Company to review and, as a result, the Board of Directors has determined that all of the directors, except Mr. Garcia (who serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer), are independent of the Company and its management.

(8) Committees. Our Board of Directors has a separately-designated Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Governance, Nominating, and Risk Oversight Committee, and a Technology Committee. The Audit Committee has been established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the four committees satisfy the independence requirements of the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Each of the committee charters and our corporate governance guidelines are available on our website (www.globalpaymentsinc.com), and will be provided free of charge, upon written request of any shareholder addressed to Global Payments Inc., 10 Glenlake Parkway, North Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30328-3473, Attention: Investor Relations. Certain information regarding the functions of the Board’s committees and their present membership is provided below.

(9) Audit Committee. As of the end of fiscal year 2012, the members of the Audit Committee were Mr. Trapp (Chairperson), Mr. Wilkins, and Mr. Silberstein. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors which is available on our website (www.globalpaymentsinc.com). The Audit Committee annually reviews a report by the independent auditors describing the firm’s internal quality control procedures; reviews the scope, plan and results of the annual audit of the financial statements by our independent auditors; reviews the scope, plan and results of the internal audit program; reviews the nature and extent of non-audit professional services performed by the independent auditors; and annually recommends to the Board of Directors the firm of independent public accountants to be selected as our independent auditors for the next fiscal year. During fiscal year 2012, the Audit Committee held four meetings, each of which was separate from a regular Board meeting.

(10) Audit Committee Financial Expert. The Board of Directors has determined that the chairman of the Audit Committee, Mr. Trapp, is an audit committee financial expert and is independent as independence for audit committee members is defined under the rules established by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange.

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(11) Compensation Committee. As of the end of fiscal year 2012, the members of the Compensation Committee were General Burba (Chairperson), Mr. Hart, Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Killian, and Ms. Marshall. The Committee operates under a written charter which is available on our website (www.globalpaymentsinc.com). This Committee reviews levels of compensation, benefits, and performance criteria for our executive officers and administers the Amended and Restated 2000 Long Term Incentive Plan, the 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 2000 Director Plan, the Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan, and the 2011 Incentive Plan. They also consider our compensation programs from a risk perspective. Additional information regarding risk consideration is contained in the Compensation Tables and Narratives section under the heading “Consideration of Risk”

The Compensation Committee charter allows the Committee to delegate certain matters within its authority to individuals, and the Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees as appropriate. In addition, the Committee has the authority under its charter to retain outside advisors to assist the Committee in the performance of its duties, and for fiscal year 2012 the Committee retained the services of Meridian Compensation Partners LLC, an independent compensation consulting firm. The Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement describes our processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation, including the role of the executive officers in determining compensation, and describes the role of the independent consultant in more detail.

During fiscal year 2011, the Compensation Committee also hired Meridian to assist with a review of the director compensation. The Compensation Committee, with Meridian’s assistance, made recommendations to the Board, which were discussed by the Board and were approved on September 27, 2011. The executives have no role in determining Board compensation. During fiscal year 2012, the Compensation Committee held two meetings, both of which were separate from regular Board meetings.

(12) Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. None of the members of the Compensation Committee (a) has ever served as an officer or an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (b) has ever had any relationship requiring disclosure by the Company under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. None of the Company’s executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee, or similar committee, of any other company that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.

(13) Technology Committee. As of the end of fiscal year 2012, the members of the Technology Committee were Mr. Killian (Chairperson), Mr. Hart, and Mr. Silberstein. The committee operates under a written charter which is available on our website (www.globalpaymentsinc.com). This committee is to serve as a liaison between the Board and management with regard to matters related to information technology and information security and to review the practices and key initiatives of the Company related to information technology and information security. During fiscal year 2012, the Technology Committee held three meetings, all of which were separate from regular Board meetings.

(14) Governance, Nominating, and Risk Oversight Committee. As of the end of fiscal year 2012, the members of the Governance, Nominating, and Risk Oversight Committee (the “Governance Committee”) were Mr. Hart (Chairperson), General Burba, Mr. Jacobs, and Ms. Marshall. The committee operates under a written charter which is available on our website (www.globalpaymentsinc.com). This committee is responsible for developing and recommending to the Board of Directors a set of corporate governance principles applicable to us, determining the structure of the Board and its committees, for overseeing the Company’s enterprise risk management process (as described in more detail below), and for identifying, nominating, proposing, and qualifying nominees (including incumbent directors) for open seats on the Board of Directors, based primarily on the following criteria:

We do not have a formal diversity policy. However, as part of its evaluation of director candidates and in addition to other standards the committee may deem appropriate from time to time for the overall structure and composition of the Board, the Committee considers whether each candidate, if elected, assists in achieving a mix of board members that represent a diversity of background and experience. Accordingly, the Board seeks members from diverse professional backgrounds who combine a broad spectrum of relevant industry and strategic experience and expertise that, in concert, offer the Company and its shareholders diversity of opinion and insight in the areas most important to us and our corporate mission. The Committee also considers the independence of candidates for director nominees, including the appearance of

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any conflict in serving as a director. Candidates for director nominees who do not meet all of these criteria may still be considered for nomination to the Board if the Committee believes the candidate will make an exceptional contribution to the Company and its shareholders. In evaluating nominees, the Committee will also take into account the consideration that members of the Board of Directors should collectively possess a broad range of skills, expertise, industry knowledge and other knowledge, business experience and other experience useful to the effective oversight of our business.

The Governance Committee considers candidates for director who are recommended by other members of the Board of Directors and by management, as well as those identified by any outside consultants who are periodically retained by the Committee to assist in identifying possible candidates. The Governance Committee will evaluate potential nominees for open Board positions suggested by shareholders on the same basis as all other potential nominees. Nominations from shareholders for the 2013 annual meeting must be received by the Company on or after March 13, 2013 and on or before April 12, 2013. To recommend a potential nominee, you may send a letter to the Corporate Secretary, Global Payments Inc., 10 Glenlake Parkway, North Tower, Atlanta, Georgia, 30328. Such letter should include the following information:

Members of the Governance Committee must discuss and evaluate possible candidates prior to recommending them to the Board. This committee had three meetings during fiscal year 2012.

(15) Majority Voting. The Board of Directors has approved the corporate governance guideline described below regarding majority voting. In an uncontested election of directors (i.e., an election where the only nominees are those recommended by the Board), any nominee for director who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election (excluding broker and nominee non-votes) than votes “for” his or her election will be required to promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board following certification of the shareholder vote in accordance with the Director Code of Conduct and Ethics.

The Governance Committee will promptly consider any resignation submitted by a director in accordance with the foregoing paragraph and the Governance Committee will recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether other action should be taken. In considering whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, the Governance Committee will consider all factors deemed relevant by the members of the Governance Committee including, without limitation, the stated reasons why shareholders “withheld” votes for election from such director, the length of service and qualifications of the director whose resignation has been tendered, the director’s contributions to the Company, and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

The Board will act on the Governance Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results. In considering the Governance Committee’s recommendation, the Board will consider the factors considered by the Governance Committee and such additional information and factors the Board believes to be relevant. Following the Board’s decision on the Governance Committee’s recommendation, the Company will promptly publicly disclose the Board’s decision whether to accept the resignation as tendered (providing an explanation of the process by which the decision was reached and, if applicable, the reasons for rejecting the tendered resignation) in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC. Any director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this provision will not participate in the Governance Committee’s or the Board’s recommendation or decision, or any deliberations related thereto.

(16) Role in Risk Oversight by the Board of Directors. Managing risk is an ongoing process inherent in all decisions made by management. The Board of Directors discusses risk throughout the year, particularly at Board and Committee

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meetings when specific actions are considered for approval. The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility to oversee risk which they accomplish through the management reporting process. The Company has created an enterprise risk management (“ERM”) program and the Governance Committee has been appointed by our Board of Directors to coordinate the oversight of the ERM program by the Board. In connection with the Company’s ERM, the Company has established a management risk committee, which is comprised of the senior management of the Company, who is responsible for identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating the material risks affecting the Company including monitoring the business environment for changes in and emergence of significant risks.

The Company also has an internal audit department, which has responsibility for providing an independent risk assessment and an assessment of the effectiveness of the risk mitigation activities developed by management. The Audit Committee directly provides oversight of risks related to the integrity of the consolidated financial statements, internal control over financial reporting, and the internal audit function. The Compensation Committee oversees the management of risks related to management succession planning and the Company’s executive compensation program.

(17) Communications from Security Holders. Any security holder may contact any member of the Board of Directors by directing such communication to such Board member in care of the Corporate Secretary at our address (10 Glenlake Parkway, North Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30328-3473). Any correspondence received by the Corporate Secretary in accordance with the foregoing sentence shall be forwarded to the applicable Board member.

(18) Attendance at Annual Meeting. All directors are expected to attend our annual meeting of shareholders. Seven members of our Board of Directors attended our fiscal year 2011 annual shareholder meeting in person and two members participated by telephone.

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PROPOSAL TWO:

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION

OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Board of Directors is asking shareholders to approve an advisory resolution on executive compensation. The advisory vote is a non-binding vote on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. The vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. The text of the resolution is as follows:

Resolved, that the shareholders of Global Payments Inc. approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the Company’s 2012 annual meeting of shareholders pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and the Summary Compensation Table and related compensation tables and narrative discussion.

The Company urges you to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this proxy statement, which discusses how our compensation policies and procedures implement our compensation philosophy. You should also read the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narrative disclosure which provide additional details about the compensation of the executive officers in fiscal year 2012 whose compensation is disclosed in this proxy statement. We have designed our compensation and benefits program and philosophy to attract, retain and motivate talented, qualified and committed executive officers who share our philosophy and desire to work toward the Company’s goals. We believe that our executive compensation program aligns individual compensation with the short-term and long-term performance of the Company in ways such as the following:

The vote regarding the compensation of the named executive officers described in this Proposal No. 2, referred to as a “say-on-pay advisory vote,” is advisory, and is, therefore, not binding on the Company or the Board of Directors. Although non-binding, the Board of Directors values the opinions that shareholders express in their votes and will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation programs as they deem appropriate.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS,

AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

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PROPOSAL THREE:

APPROVAL OF THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

Section 6.1 of the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”) currently provides that directors shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares represented at the meeting of shareholders at which the director stands for election and entitled to elect such director. The Board of Directors has approved, and recommends the approval of, an amendment and restatement of the Articles that would eliminate this restriction, and thereby allow the Board to amend the Company’s Bylaws to implement a majority voting standard for the election of directors in uncontested elections. The Company’s proposed Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are attached to the Proxy Statement as Appendix A.

The Business Corporation Code of Georgia (or, the Code) provides that, unless otherwise specified in a company’s Articles of Incorporation or a bylaw that fixes a greater voting requirement for the election of directors that is adopted by the board of directors of a corporation having shares listed on a national securities exchange or regularly traded in a market maintained by one or more members of a national or affiliated securities association, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote in the election. Section 6.1 of the Articles specifies that a director shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares represented at the meeting of shareholders at which the director stands for election and entitled to elect such director. As a result, the Company’s directors are currently elected by a plurality vote. Under plurality voting, only “for” votes are counted and the directors receiving the most votes will be elected.

Under a majority voting standard in uncontested elections, each vote is required to be counted “for” or “against” the director’s election. In order to be elected, the votes cast “for” such nominee’s election must exceed the number of votes cast “against” such nominee’s election. Shareholders are also entitled to abstain with respect to the election of a director, although abstentions will have no effect in determining whether the required affirmative majority vote has been obtained. In contested elections (elections in which the number of nominees exceed the number of directors to be elected), directors continue to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast.

The Board of Directors, through its Governance, Nominating and Risk Oversight Committee (Governance Committee), regularly evaluates all of the Company’s corporate governance practices. The Board of Directors has previously approved the following corporate governance guideline, which incorporates a form of majority voting for uncontested elections that is sometimes referred to as a “plurality plus” standard:

Majority Voting. In an uncontested election of directors (i.e., an election where the only nominees are those recommended by the Board), any nominee for director who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election (excluding broker and nominee non-votes) than votes “for” his or her election will promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board following certification of the shareholder vote, in accordance with the Director Code of Conduct and Ethics.

The Governance Committee will promptly consider any resignation submitted by a director in accordance with the foregoing paragraph and the Governance Committee will recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether other action should be taken. In considering whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, the Governance Committee will consider all factors deemed relevant by the members of the Governance Committee including, without limitation, the stated reasons why shareholders “withheld” votes for election from such director, the length of service and qualifications of the director whose resignation has been tendered, the director’s contributions to the Company, and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.

The Board will act on the Governance Committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results. In considering the Governance Committee’s recommendation, the Board will consider the factors considered by the Governance Committee and such additional information and factors the Board believes to be relevant. Following the Board’s decision on the Governance Committee’s recommendation, the Company will promptly publicly disclose the Board’s decision whether to accept the resignation as tendered (providing an explanation of the process by which the decision was reached and, if applicable, the reasons for rejecting the tendered resignation) in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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To the extent that one or more directors’ resignations are accepted by the Board, the Governance Committee will recommend to the Board whether to fill such vacancy or vacancies or to reduce the size of the Board.

Any director who tenders his or her resignation pursuant to this provision will not participate in the Governance Committee’s or the Board’s recommendation or decision, or any deliberations related thereto. If a majority of the members of the Governance Committee received a greater number of votes “withheld” from their election (excluding broker and nominee non-votes) than votes “for” their election at the same election, then the independent directors who are on the Board who did not receive a greater number of votes “withheld” from their election (excluding broker and nominee non-votes) than votes “for” their election (or who were not standing for election) will appoint a Board committee amongst themselves solely for the purpose of considering the tendered resignations and will recommend to the Board whether to accept or reject them. This Board committee may, but need not, consist of all of the independent directors who did not receive a greater number of votes “withheld” from their election (excluding broker and nominee non-votes) than votes “for” their election or who were not standing for election.

When it adopted this corporate governance principle, the Board recognized that the majority vote standard was an evolving concept. After careful consideration, the Board now believes it is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders to amend the Articles to enable the Board to fully implement majority voting in uncontested director elections.

The proposed Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation would delete the last sentence of Section 6.1 of the Articles, which, as noted above, mandates use of a plurality voting standard in all elections of directors. After the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are filed and become effective, the Board will then amend Section 3.02 of the Bylaws to delete a sentence that essentially replicates the language of the Articles and replace it with the following:

Except as provided in Section 3.04, each director shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director by the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present; provided, however, that if the number of director nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected ten days before the mailing of the definitive proxy statement, then each director shall be elected by a vote of the plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. For purposes of this Section 3.02, a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director.

Under the Code, an incumbent director who is not re-elected may remain in office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, continuing as a “holdover” director until the director’s resignation, disqualification, removal from office, or death. If the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are approved by the Company’s shareholders, in addition to amending the Bylaws to implement the majority voting standard, the Board will adopt a revised director resignation policy to address the continuation in office of a “holdover” director so that an incumbent director who did not receive the requisite affirmative majority of the votes cast for his or her re-election must tender his or her resignation to the Board.

In addition to deleting the last sentence of Section 6.1, as described above, the proposed Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation would delete various provisions of the Articles that are either no longer relevant or have only historical interest: the former Article Three (identification of the Company’s initial registered office and agent), the former Article Four (identification of the Company’s incorporator), the former Article Five (identification of the Company’s initial principal office) and the former Section 2.2 and Appendix A (designation of a series of preferred stock that was used to support a shareholder protection rights plan, which the Company previously allowed to expire in accordance with its terms).

Approval of the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation will require the affirmative vote of at least two- thirds (2/3) of the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of shares of the Company’s common stock. If approved by the

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Company’s shareholders, the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation will become effective upon the filing with the Georgia Secretary of State. The Company would make such a filing promptly after the annual meeting, following which the Board of Directors will adopt the bylaw changes described above. The new majority voting standard would then be applicable to an uncontested election of directors at the Company’s 2013 annual meeting of shareholders and thereafter.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS

A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE COMPANY’S

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

PROPOSAL FOUR:

RATIFICATION OF THE REAPPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

The Audit Committee recommends, and the Board of Directors selects, independent public accountants for the Company. The Audit Committee has recommended that Deloitte & Touche LLP, or Deloitte, who served during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012, be selected for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2013, and the Board has approved the selection. Unless a shareholder directs otherwise, proxies will be voted for the approval of the ratification of Deloitte as independent public accountants for fiscal year ending May 31, 2013. If the appointment of Deloitte is not ratified by the shareholders, the Board will consider the selection of other independent public accountants for 2013.

A representative of Deloitte will be present at the 2012 Annual Meeting. The representative will be given the opportunity to make a statement, if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements and the reviews of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $2,925,234 for fiscal year 2012, and $2,541,199 for fiscal year 2011.

Audit-related fees are the fees billed by Deloitte for professional services rendered for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not included under “Audit Fees” disclosed above. There were no audit-related fees billed during fiscal year 2012 or fiscal year 2011.

The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning services were $400,000 for fiscal year 2012, and $302,350 for fiscal year 2011. In fiscal year 2012, $70,000 of such fees was for tax return preparation and compliance and $330,000 was for tax consulting and advisory services. In fiscal year 2011, $67,350 of such fees was for tax return preparation and compliance and $235,000 was for tax consulting and advisory services.

Except as described above, there were no other fees billed by Deloitte for professional services in fiscal year 2012. For fiscal year 2011, Deloitte was engaged to perform advisory services related to network security procedures, which resulted in $69,000 of other fees.

The Audit Committee must approve any audit services and any permissible non-audit services provided by Deloitte prior to the commencement of the services. In making its pre-approval determination, the Audit Committee considers whether providing the non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence. To minimize relationships which could appear to impair the objectivity of the independent registered public accounting firm, it is generally

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the Audit Committee’s practice to restrict the non-audit services that may be provided to us by our independent auditor to audit-related services, tax services and merger and acquisition due diligence and integration services, but other permissible non-audit services are approved on a case by case basis.

The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to approve non-audit services by the independent registered public accounting firm within the guidelines set forth above, provided that the fees associated with the applicable engagement are not anticipated to exceed $100,000. Any decision by the Chair to pre-approve non-audit services must be presented to the full Audit Committee for ratification at its next scheduled meeting. All of the services described under the headings “Audit Fees,” “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees,” and “All Other Fees” were approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the foregoing policy.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.

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CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth the names of our executive officers as of May 31, 2012, their ages, their positions with the Company, and their principal occupations and employers for at least the past five years. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of our executive officers and any other person pursuant to which any of them was elected an officer, other than arrangements or understandings with our officers acting solely in their capacities as such. Our executive officers serve at the pleasure of our Board of Directors.

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COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information as of June 20, 2012, with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock by the nominees to the Board, by the directors of the Company, by each of the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table, and by the 15 persons, as a group, who were directors and/or executive officers of the Company on June 20, 2012.

Except as explained in the footnotes below, the named persons have sole voting and investment power with regard to the shares shown as beneficially owned by them.

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COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN OTHER PERSONS

The following table sets forth information as of the date indicated with respect to the only persons who are known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

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COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS:

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2012 Compensation Highlights

As discussed in our Management Discussion and Analysis contained in our annual report on Form 10K for fiscal year 2012, we achieved notable financial results in fiscal year 2012. Despite the North America processing system intrusion, we achieved a record $2,204 million in revenue. Of particular note:

We believe that our executive compensation programs are materially aligned with short and long-term Company performance and that our pay practices contributed to our success. Below is a summary of compensation elements illustrating our focus on paying for performance.

We continue to evaluate our plans every year against various sets of market data to try to effectively align our pay practices with performance. The following contains additional detail regarding our executive pay program.

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In the paragraphs that follow, we provide an overview and analysis of our compensation program and policies, the material compensation decisions we have made under those programs and policies, and the material factors that we considered in making those decisions. Following this section is a series of tables containing specific information about the compensation earned or paid in fiscal year 2012 to the following individuals, to whom we refer as our “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs” for the purposes of this proxy statement.

Paul R. Garcia—Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Jeffrey S. Sloan—President

David E. Mangum—Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Joseph C. Hyde—President, International

Morgan M. Schuessler—Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

The discussion below is intended to help you understand the detailed information provided in the tables contained in this section and to put that information into context within our overall compensation program.

We design our compensation program with a view to retaining and attracting executive leadership of a caliber and level of experience necessary to effectively manage our complex, growth-oriented, and global businesses. Our objective is to have a compensation program that will allow us to:

In order to do this effectively, our program must:

The Compensation Committee retained an independent compensation consultant from Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC during fiscal year 2012. The consultant takes guidance from and reports directly to the Compensation Committee. The consultant advises the Compensation Committee on current and future trends and issues in executive compensation and on the competitiveness of the compensation structure and levels of our executives, including the Named Executive Officers. At the request of the Committee and to provide context for the Committee’s compensation decisions made for fiscal year 2012, the consultant performed the following services for the Committee late in fiscal year 2011:

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The same individual consultant was retained throughout the year. Meridian performed no services for the Company which were not executive or director compensation related during fiscal year 2012.

The tally sheets referred to above allowed the Committee to assess the impact of compensation decisions over time. The Committee did not deem any changes to be necessary to the compensation decisions as the result of its review of the information contained in such tally sheets.

We consider the compensation levels, programs, and practices of certain other companies to assist us in setting our executive compensation so that it is market competitive. For fiscal year 2012, the peer group listed below was utilized for this purpose. These companies were chosen because each such company is in the transaction processing or data services business, is publicly traded, and, in terms of our revenue compared to that of the peer group, we would fall near the median. We compete for talent with several of these peer companies.

The Compensation Committee annually reviews and updates the list of companies comprising the peer group to ensure it provides an appropriate marketplace focus. The Compensation Committee used the same peer group in fiscal years 2012 and 2011.

Before the Compensation Committee met in executive session to set fiscal year 2012 compensation, the independent consultant collected and analyzed comprehensive market data for its use. The consultant presented market figures representing the size-adjusted median of the market for base salary, target short term incentive opportunity and long term incentive opportunity. The consultant used peer group proxy data as the primary data source and supplemented it as necessary with general industry information from an executive compensation database maintained by Aon Hewitt. The Committee reviewed the data for each of the Named Executive Officers for the different elements of compensation and then made individual compensation decisions, taking into consideration such factors as performance, retention, internal equity, individual development, and succession planning. Given that, some actual pay opportunities for our executives are higher than the size-adjusted market median and some are lower.

Our Chief Executive Officer (Paul R. Garcia), with the assistance of our human resources department, developed compensation recommendations for the executive officers who report directly to him (including the Named Executive Officers) based upon market data supplied by the independent consultant, the Company’s performance relative to goals approved by the Compensation Committee, individual performance versus personal objectives, and other individual contributions to the Company’s performance. The Compensation Committee decided on all aspects of Mr. Garcia’s compensation and Mr. Garcia did not determine his own compensation. The Compensation Committee reviewed and approved all compensation elements for the Named Executive Officers and set the compensation of the CEO after reviewing market information provided by its consultant.

At last year’s annual meeting of shareholders, approximately 73% of the shares voted were cast in support of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as discussed and disclosed in the 2011 Proxy Statement. In 2012, the Company continued to engage with its largest shareholders and receive feedback on executive compensation practices.

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After considering the results of the initial advisory vote, weighing the feedback from our largest shareholders, and considering advice from its independent compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee adjusted the long-term incentive program to replace stock options with performance-based restricted stock units earned based on relative total shareholder return against a representative broad index of companies. For further information on the TSR shares, see the “Overview of Executive Compensation Program Elements” section below.

Also at the Annual Meeting of shareholders on September 27, 2011, our shareholders expressed a preference that advisory votes on executive compensation occur every year. In accordance with the results of this vote, the Board determined to implement an advisory vote on executive compensation every year until the next required vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on executive compensation, which is scheduled to occur at our 2017 Annual Meeting.

The following elements comprise our compensation program for executives:

To provide flexibility in using the different elements of compensation from year to year, the Compensation Committee’s policy with regard to the allocation of the major elements of compensation, including base salary, short term incentives, and long term incentives is to approximate the mix of pay inherent in the size-adjusted median market data provided by its consultant. The following executive pay at target levels was set by the Compensation Committee for fiscal year 2012:

When the Committee established the diluted EPS goals for the annual performance and performance unit plans that are described throughout this narrative, it calculated the relationship between additional earnings and the incremental short-term incentive and performance unit payouts that would be earned as a result of the executives reaching their goals. This maintains equilibrium between shareholder reward and executive reward between the target and maximum goal levels.

(1) Base Salary. Base salary provides our executive officers with a level of compensation consistent with their skills, responsibilities, experience and performance in relation to comparable positions in the marketplace. Base salary is the one fixed component of our executives’ compensation. The Compensation Committee reviews the base salaries of our executive officers annually. The Named Executive Officers, except for Mr. Garcia who did not receive an increase to his base salary for fiscal year 2012, received base salary increases for fiscal year 2012 as follows: Mr. Sloan—$618,000, which increased 3% from $600,000 in fiscal year 2011; Mr. Mangum—$530,000, which increased 17.8% from $450,000 in fiscal year 2011 in order to account for his additional responsibility for the information technology function; Mr. Hyde—$425,000, which increased 3.1% from $412,000 in fiscal year 2011; and Mr. Schuessler—$350,000 which increased 2.9% from $340,000 in fiscal year 2011.

(2) Short Term Incentives. We provide our Named Executive Officers with short term incentive opportunities to motivate and reward them for the achievement of the Company’s defined business goals and objectives and to reward individual performance. Our short term incentive program is described below under the heading “Annual Performance Plan”

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(a) Annual Performance Plan. The annual performance plan provides an opportunity for executives to earn variable at-risk cash compensation. The annual performance plan is a subplan of our 2011 Incentive Plan, and is designed to allow annual incentive awards that are fully deductible by the Company under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (which we refer to as the Code). Under this plan, the threshold performance goal for each plan year is that we achieve positive operating income, as reflected in our consolidated statements of income and filed with our Form 10-K for such fiscal year, except that for the purpose of the annual performance plan, operating income will be rounded up or down to the nearest whole million dollar level and will exclude the impact of restructuring, acquisition-related intangible amortization expense, foreign exchange, and other non-recurring charges. We refer to this performance goal as “Threshold Operating Income Performance.” In any year in which Threshold Operating Income Performance is achieved, the plan establishes an individual award limit for each participant which will be that person’s award unless the Compensation Committee uses its discretion to pay a lesser amount, which it is expected to do. To guide it in exercising such discretion, the Compensation Committee establishes intermediate performance metrics and their respective weightings, and intermediate award opportunity ranges, as it deems appropriate to encourage and reward particular areas of performance, as discussed below.

In early fiscal year 2012, the Compensation Committee approved the target award opportunities for each of our Named Executive Officers, expressed as a percentage of base salary. Based on the review of the market data, the Compensation Committee set the target bonus opportunities for fiscal year 2012 as follows: Mr. Garcia-$1,500,000 or 150% of his base salary, Mr. Sloan-$525,300 or 85% of his base salary, Mr. Mangum-$450,500 or 85% of his base salary, Mr. Hyde-$318,750 or 75% of his base salary, and Mr. Schuessler-$210,000 or 60% of his base salary.

Also in early fiscal year 2012, the Compensation Committee approved the three weighted performance metrics under the annual performance plan. There were two Company objectives—diluted earnings per share (EPS) and revenue, and a set of individual objectives that varied from person to person. The rationale for using each component in the plan is outlined in the following table:

The three parts of the annual performance plan were calculated separately. The target opportunity was allocated among the three elements based upon the table below.

The range of possible payouts for each performance measure varied by person, by measure and in total as shown in the tables below. Each executive could earn up to 100% of the individual objectives component. For each of the corporate components, Mr. Garcia could earn up to 225%, Mr. Sloan and Mr. Mangum could earn up to approximately 215%, and Mr. Hyde and Mr. Schuessler could earn up to 200%. Once calculated, all cash incentive payments (also referred to as bonus payments in this narrative) are totaled and then rounded to the nearest dollar.

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For Mr. Garcia:

For Mr. Sloan and Mr. Mangum:

For Mr. Hyde and Mr. Schuessler:

For example, an executive eligible for the plan described in the table immediately above with a base salary of $200,000 per year and a target bonus of 50% of his base salary would have a target bonus of $100,000. Based upon the relative weighting set forth in the table above, the target bonus would be apportioned $40,000 for diluted EPS results (40%), $30,000 for revenue results (30%), and $30,000 for individual objectives (30%). The executive’s target diluted EPS cash incentive was $40,000, so he could earn from zero to 200% (or from $0 to $80,000) for this portion of the bonus. The executive’s target revenue bonus was $30,000, so he could earn from zero to 200% (or from $0 to $60,000) for this portion of the bonus. Finally, the executive’s target bonus for individual goals was $30,000, so he could earn from zero to 100% (or from $0 to $30,000) for performance against individual goals. The total payout opportunity in this example is from 0% to 170% (or from $0 to $170,000).

(i) Diluted EPS Payout

The following table contains the range of diluted EPS goals for fiscal year 2012 and the applicable payout percentages. The diluted EPS goal excludes the impact of restructuring, acquisition-related intangible amortization expense, foreign exchange, and other non-recurring charges and includes the CyberSource, Alfa Bank, and Malta acquisitions.

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The metric at target was established at a level that reflected growth over fiscal year 2011 results. Factoring in the adjustments described above, diluted EPS for fiscal year 2012 was $3.49. Using straight line interpolation, the payout was approximately 134% for Mr. Garcia, approximately 131% for Mr. Sloan and Mr. Mangum, approximately 127% for Mr. Hyde and Mr. Schuessler of the target amount of the bonus apportioned to diluted EPS results.

(ii) Revenue Payout

The following table contains the range of revenue goals for fiscal year 2012 and the applicable payout percentages. The revenue goal excludes the impact of restructuring, acquisition-related intangible amortization expense, foreign exchange, and other non-recurring charges and includes the CyberSource, Alfa Bank, and Malta acquisitions.

The metric at target was established at a level that reflected growth over fiscal year 2011 results. Factoring in the adjustments described above, revenue for fiscal year 2012 was $2,153 million. Using straight line interpolation, the payout was approximately 92% for all Named Executive Officers of the target amount apportioned to revenue results.

(iii) Payout Based upon Individual Performance Objectives

The third component of the bonus payout was based upon individual performance objectives. Each of the executives could earn from zero to 100% of the payout amount allocated to individual performance. Individual performance objectives are established annually in writing. The Compensation Committee and the Lead Director set the individual performance objectives for the CEO, and the CEO approves the individual objectives for the other Named Executive Officers. For fiscal year 2012, each executive had between five and seven individual objectives. Each of the executive’s objectives was given a weighting that determined the portion of the individual performance bonus opportunity that was allocated to that objective. For example, more important objectives may comprise 25% of an executive’s opportunity while a less critical objective may comprise 10%. Collectively, all the executive’s objectives totaled 100% of his performance bonus opportunity.

At the end of the year, the CEO reviewed the performance of each Named Executive Officer (other than himself) against his objectives, and determined to what extent each objective was achieved. The percentage achievement was used to determine the payment related to each objective. The Compensation Committee approved the final payments. The Lead Director and the Compensation Committee reviewed Mr. Garcia’s performance against his objectives and determined the amount payable.

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The table below highlights the material individual objectives, achievement levels and payout amount for each NEO for fiscal year 2012.

(iv) Summary of the Annual Performance Plan

Due to the unauthorized North America system intrusion, the Committee made the decision to first determine the total payout of the Annual Performance Plan based on the financial and individual performance measures as described above, and then adjust the payout by an amount similar to the relative stock price decline as measured against our peer group companies from the date of the announcement of the system intrusion to our fiscal year end. This resulted in the total adjusted payouts for each Named Executive Officer summarized in the table below.

(3) Long Term Incentive Program. Each year the Company grants long term incentive awards, which we refer to as LTIs, to executives and other key employees throughout the Company. All LTI grants were made pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan, which was approved by our shareholders. All grants of LTIs to the Named Executive Officers are approved by the Compensation Committee. We believe the LTIs align the executives’ interests with those of the shareholders by linking their compensation to stock price. The LTI grants for Named Executive Officers represent pay opportunity for performance at target for Mr. Garcia- $4,000,000 Mr. Sloan- $1,150,000, Mr. Mangum- $1,150,000, Mr. Hyde- $750,000, and Mr. Schuessler- $700,000 Figures represent contingent pay that will be realized only if financial and relative total shareholder return goals are met.

In fiscal year 2012, 100% of the LTIs granted to the executives were in the form of performance-based restricted stock units, with 75% of the LTI value allocated to performance shares (expressed at target) based on financial targets (referred to as performance shares) and 25% allocated to performance shares (expressed at target) based on total shareholder return relative to a broad index of companies (referred to as TSR shares). The Compensation Committee implemented an LTI

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program utilizing two different types of LTI awards in order to incent and reward executives to enhance certain operational metrics (performance shares) as well as to align executive compensation with shareholder return (TSR shares). In determining the use of these plans and the allocation, the Committee took into account competitive market practices of peer group companies, the belief that a blend of equity awards provides both an incentive and retention effect, and the belief that a use of various LTI awards mitigates compensation risks that may be associated with the use of a single LTI vehicle. The decision to more heavily weight the LTI program to performance shares (75%) over TSR shares (25%) was made by the Compensation Committee in its discretion, with the support of its independent compensation consultant.

In order to determine the number of performance shares and TSR shares to grant, we established a per share value equal to 90% of the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock on the grant date ($48.34) which resulted in a per share value of $43.51. We then divided the dollar amount of the LTI grant by the per share value ($43.51) to determine the number of performance shares and TSR shares that would be granted at the target level. Any fractional shares were rounded up to the nearest whole share. The 90% figure set forth above was derived by the independent consultant and represents the risk-adjusted present value of the grants consistent with the methodology used to develop the market data for long-term incentives.

For example, if an executive’s LTI grant value was $200,000, we would have multiplied $200,000 by 75% to derive the portion of the grant to be allocated to performance shares ($150,000), reserving the remaining 25% of the grant value ($50,000) to be allocated to TSR shares. Then, we would have divided the performance-based restricted stock allocation by the estimated per-share grant value of $43.51. As a result, the executive would have received 3,448 performance shares and 1,150 TSR shares at target level.

(a) Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (Performance Shares). Performance shares, as discussed above, were converted into a time-based restricted stock grant if the Company’s performance during the fiscal year met or exceeded pre-established goals. The amount of performance shares awarded to each NEO at target is allocated equally among three criteria: diluted EPS, revenue, and operating margin results.

By design, the LTI plan is distinguished from the short-term plan to ensure that our executives are focused on the long-term objectives of our shareholders. The five principal design differences are:

Because of the above factors, the payouts for our executives under the LTI plan and the short-term incentive plan have always been different, ensuring appropriate rewards based on both long-term and short-term results.

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The rationale for using each component in the plan is summarized in the following table:

The following table summarizes the structure of the grant of performance shares:

The following table summarizes the performance units based on financial performance metrics at target granted during fiscal year 2012.

Depending on the diluted EPS, revenue and operating margin results, the executives could earn from 0% to 200% of the applicable target amount.

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(i) Portion Attributable to Diluted EPS Results

The following table contains the diluted EPS goals and the applicable reward amounts for fiscal year 2012. The diluted EPS goals exclude the impact of restructuring, acquisition-related intangible amortization expense, foreign exchange, and other non-recurring charges and include the CyberSource, Alfa Bank, and Malta acquisitions.

The metric at target was established at a level that reflected growth over fiscal year 2011 results. Factoring in the adjustments described above, diluted EPS for fiscal 2012 was $3.49. Using straight line interpolation, the payout was approximately 127%.

(ii) Portion Attributable to Revenue Results

The following table contains the revenue goals and the applicable award amounts for fiscal year 2012. The revenue goals exclude the impact of restructuring, acquisition-related intangible amortization expense, foreign exchange, and other non-recurring charges and include the CyberSource, Alfa Bank, and Malta acquisitions.

The metric at target was established at a level that reflected growth over fiscal year 2011 results. Factoring in the adjustments described above, revenue for fiscal year 2012 was $2,153 million. Using straight line interpolation, the payout was approximately 92%.

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(iii) Portion Attributable to Operating Margin Results

The following table contains the operating margin goals and the applicable award amounts for fiscal year 2012. The operating margin goals exclude the impact of restructuring, acquisition-related intangible amortization expense, foreign exchange, and other non-recurring charges and include the CyberSource, Alfa Bank, and Malta acquisitions.

Factoring in the adjustments described above, operating margin for fiscal 2012 was 21.0%. Using straight line interpolation, the payout was approximately 98%.

(iv) Conversion of Performance Shares into Restricted Stock

Once the results were certified, the Committee determined the number of performance shares earned by each executive, and such shares were converted on a 1-for-1 basis into shares of restricted stock on July 26, 2012. Such shares of restricted stock vest in accordance with the following schedule: 25% vested on July 26, 2012 and the remaining 75% of the shares in three equal installments over the next three years. The following table summarizes the conversion of the performance shares to restricted stock for each executive, which equates to approximately 105.7% of the grant at target for each:

(b) Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (TSR Shares). Beginning in fiscal year 2012, we replaced the portion of LTI previously granted in stock options with performance-based restricted stock units, to be earned based on our future 3-year total shareholder return compared to the constituent companies in the S&P 500 as of June 1, 2011, with 3-year cliff vesting. We refer to these restricted stock units as TSR Shares. The design of the new grants is intended to continue to align the interests of executives with those of our shareholders, while rewarding for management contributions on a level economic playing field relative to our peer companies and enhancing retention capability.

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The following table summarizes the structure of the grant of TSR shares:

Final payout as a percent of target will be determined based on the average of the hypothetical payouts from our cumulative TSR positioning through each of the last four quarters of the performance cycle. For example, for the fiscal year 2012 grants, final payout will be determined based on the average of the payouts related to our relative TSR positioning as of August 31, 2013, November 30, 2013, February 28, 2014 and May 31, 2014.

The following table summarizes the target TSR shares granted during fiscal year 2012.

(4) Other Benefits. The Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in other health and welfare programs that are available to substantially all full-time salaried employees, including the Company’s 401(k) plan.

Perquisites offered to the Named Executive Officers on an annual basis are financial planning and certain business club dues. These items create taxable income to the executive, which we do not gross up. In addition, we may ask Named Executive Officers and their spouses to participate in President’s Club/Chairman’s Club trips offered as rewards to certain other employees for excellent sales or other performance. Tax rules require that we treat the expenses of spouses as taxable income to the executives. Because spousal participation is at the request of the Company and can be disruptive to other plans they may have, we gross-up that taxable income.

The Named Executive Officers are also eligible to participate in the Company’s Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan, pursuant to which they may elect to defer up to 100% of base salary and other forms of compensation. The Company does not make contributions to the DC Plan. In fiscal year 2012, Mr. Sloan was the only named executive officer who participated in the plan. The section entitled “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation” includes more detail regarding the plan.

(5) 2013 Compensation Decisions. The Committee did not increase 2013 base salaries for the Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Schuessler who has been promoted as of August 1, 2012. Additionally, only modest target bonus and equity increases were provided for 2013 for certain executives, consistent with our view toward external market alignment.

We offer employment agreements to a limited number of key employees, including all of the Named Executive Officers. These employment agreements provide benefits to the Company and, we believe, are necessary in order to retain

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and attract highly-qualified executives. Each of the Named Executive Officers who is a party to an employment agreement has agreed not to disclose confidential information or compete with us, and not to solicit our customers or recruit our employees, for a period of twenty four months following the termination of his or her employment. In exchange, we offer limited income and benefit protections to the executive. The section entitled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” includes more detail regarding the benefits.

Employment contracts signed prior to April 1, 2010 provide a gross-up for excise taxes that may be due with respect to any change of control provisions. Employment contracts signed after April 1, 2010 do not include such provisions. Also, all new employment agreements have a defined term. The section entitled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” includes more detail regarding the employment agreements for the Named Executive Officers.

Our current policy regarding the timing of equity grants, which has been in place for several years, is to make the annual grant to all eligible employees on the next business day following the filing of our annual report on Form 10-K based upon the closing price of the Common Stock on that day.

Our insider trading policy prohibits directors and employees from engaging in any transaction in which they profit if the value of the Company’s Common Stock falls.

The Compensation Committee has implemented stock ownership guidelines for executives and directors. This fosters Common Stock ownership and aligns the interests of our executives with our shareholders. Within five years of the later of (1) June 1, 2007 or (2) the executive’s initial appointment to his or her position, each executive should own shares valued as a percentage of base salary as follows: CEO—5 times base salary, and the other executives—2 times base salary. Within three years of becoming a director, each director should own a number of shares of Company stock valued at least three times the then current annual cash retainer payable to such director.

The Compensation Committee anticipates fully complying with mandatory recoupment provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act at such time as they are implemented by SEC rule making.

Section 162(m) of the Code places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation that we may deduct in any one year with respect to any one of our Named Executive Officers. However, qualifying performance-based compensation will not be subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. We have designed our incentive programs such that we expect to achieve full deductibility for them. To maintain flexibility in compensating our executives, however, the Compensation Committee reserves the right to use its judgment to authorize compensation payments that may be subject to the limit when the Compensation Committee believes that such payments are appropriate.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the foregoing section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” with management. Based on such review and discussion, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement, which is to be incorporated by reference into our annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2012.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Edwin H. Burba, Jr., Chairperson

Alex W. Hart

William I Jacobs

Raymond L. Killian

Ruth Ann Marshall

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COMPENSATION TABLES AND NARRATIVES

The following table presents certain summary information concerning compensation paid or accrued by the Company for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2012 (“2012 fiscal year”), during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 (“2011 fiscal year”), and during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010 (“2010 fiscal year”), for (i) the principal executive officer of the Company; (ii) the principal financial officer of the Company, and (iii) each of the three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company who were acting as executive officers at the end of the last completed fiscal year. The persons referenced in (i) through (iii) above are our “Named Executive Officers.”

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE