Agreements with Business Bank, Bank Khamkor and the National Bank of
Uzbekistan Expand Western Union Network Throughout Eastern Europe
DENVER, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a
subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) today announced the launch of the
Western Union Money Transfer(R) service in Uzbekistan.
Western Union, the first money transfer company to offer services in the
country, has established eight agent locations in the capital city of Tashkent
and surrounding areas. By the end of first quarter, Western Union will add
additional agent locations in the cities of Bukhara, Samarkand, Fergana and
Kokand. By the end of 2002, the company anticipates having up to 20 active
locations across Uzbekistan. Western Union's new Uzbekistan agents --
Business Bank, Bank Khamkor and National Banks of Uzbekistan -- have a
combined total of 42 locations throughout the country.
"Thanks to Western Union, thousands of Uzbek emigres in the U.S. will now
be able to send money legally, quickly and safely to their loved ones in
Uzbekistan," said Mr. Ziyodilla Khodjimedov, Consul General of the Republic of
Uzbekistan in New York. "Western Union money transfers are going to make life
better for our relatives and friends in need," Ziyodilla added, emphasizing
the importance of rapid money transfers in stimulating business growth and
developing the infrastructure of the country.
"Uzbek emigres have their own unique and proud heritage," said Bill
Thomas, president, Western Union International. "Yet, they share one strong
characteristic with expatriates from around the world: the desire to become
active members of their adopted communities, while maintaining strong ties to
their homeland. One way they maintain those ties is by providing financial
support to loved ones back home. They trust Western Union to perform that
function, which is a responsibility we take very seriously."
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, safely 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 120,000 Agent
locations in more than 185 countries and territories. Famous for its
pioneering telegraph service, the original Western Union dates back to
1851 and introduced electronic money transfer service 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 2.8 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 .
SOURCE Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.westernunion.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/138116.html
CONTACT:
Wendy Carver-Herbert of Western Union
Financial Services, +1-303-967-6416,
wendy.carver@firstdatacorp.com
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