New Offering Complements US$1 Million Donation Made by First Data
Western Union Foundation
DENVER, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today Western Union Financial
Services, Inc. announced a special price on money transfers sent to Indonesia,
Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the effected areas of India
including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Andaman Nicobar Islands and
Pondicherry.
"We are proud of the donation made by the First Data Western Union
Foundation to support the rebuilding process in the devastated countries,"
said Christina Gold, president, Western Union Financial Services. "Our
reduced money transfer offer is another way to help people support their loved
ones -- by sending money when it matters most."
From January 10 through February 10, 2005, Western Union Money Transfer
service fees from the United States to the impacted region will be reduced to
US$7.00*. Western Union will offer comparable rates to the impacted region in
other currencies around the globe.
In addition, the Foundation has agreed to match all donations made
directly to the Foundation by First Data/Western Union employees to the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Similar
programs are in place for Western Union agents. These programs were
implemented as an incentive to employees and agents to participate through the
Foundation. First Data and Western Union strongly encourages consumers to
thoroughly research any charitable organization prior to making a monetary
donation to ensure that it is a legitimate business.
The Western Union Money Transfer service continues to be available in many
areas that were effected by the tsunamis. To inquire about availability and
the nearest Western Union agent location, consumers can call:
U.S. 800-325-6000
Asia Pacific (61) 2 9226 9555
Latin America (011) 303-224-4284
Europe, Middle East and Africa (32) 2 639 7869
*In addition to the money transfer fee, Western Union makes money when it
changes dollars into foreign currency. Today, the exchange rate from
the United States for US$1 is 42.5779 India Rupee, 9,006.8550 Indonesian
Rupiah, 12.7858 Maldives Rufiyaa, 3.7750 Malaysian Ringgit, 94.9630 Sri
Lanka Rupee and 37.5936 Thai Baht. Foreign exchange rates change
frequently. Please call 800-325-6000 for the latest rates.
About Western Union Financial Services, Inc. and First Data
Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp.
(NYSE: FDC) is an international leader in consumer money transfer services.
Consumers can quickly and reliably pay bills and transfer money around the
globe using the company's proprietary money transfer network. Western Union
and its subsidiary, Orlandi Valuta, together make up one of the world's
largest money transfer networks with a total of approximately 202,000 agent
locations in more than 195 countries and territories. Famous for its
pioneering telegraph service, the original Western Union dates back to 1851
and introduced electronic money transfer services in 1871. For more
information, please visit the company's web site at http://www.westernunion.com.
First Data Corp., with global headquarters in Denver, helps power the
global economy. Serving approximately 3.5 million merchant locations,
1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, First Data makes it easy, fast
and secure for people and businesses to buy goods and services, using
virtually any form of payment: credit, debit, smart card, stored-value card or
check at the point-of-sale, over the internet or by money transfer. For more
information, please visit the company's web site at http://www.firstdata.com.
About First Data Western Union Foundation
The First Data Western Union Foundation, the charitable organization of
First Data Corporation (NYSE: FDC), supports philanthropic initiatives
worldwide. Since it's inception in December 2000, the Foundation has donated
millions of dollars to help those most in need. Grants are made to non-profit
organizations in health, education and human services that strengthen and
improve the lives of many individuals in comminutes throughout the world.
Scholarships are given to nontraditional college students. The Foundation
also provides disaster relief funding to communities in need. Additionally,
the Foundation raises money from First Data employees and business associates
to increase the impact of grantmaking to communities worldwide. Please visit
the Foundation's website at http://www.firstdatawesternunion.org.
FDC-1
SOURCE Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.westernunion.com
http://www.firstdata.com
http://www.firstdatawesternunion.org
CONTACT:
Danielle Pereira, +1-303-967-6062,
danielle.pereira@firstdatacorp.com, for Western Union Financial
Services, Inc.
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