DENVER, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a
subsidiary of First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), Banco Nacional de Mexico, S.A.
(Banamex) and California Commerce Bank (CCB) today announced that they have
entered into a strategic alliance to facilitate consumer money transfers to
and from Mexico, beginning July 1.
Banamex, and CCB, both subsidiaries of Grupo Financiero Banamex-Accival
(Banacci), will become a principal agent in Mexico for Western Union consumer
money transfers. As Mexico's leading bank, Banamex will offer the Western
Union Money Transfer(R) services at its approximately 1,300 bank branch
locations beginning in July and will add to the Western Union agent network in
Mexico, which currently includes more than 4,800 locations.
"We are pleased to establish this relationship with Western Union, and to
offer their premium, value-added services to consumers throughout Mexico,"
said Manuel Medina Mora, chief executive officer for Banacci. "The Mexican
immigrant population represents the largest group of Hispanics living in the
U.S. They have a growing need to send monies back home with the highest
standard of convenience, safety and reliability. With this agreement, Western
Union, a global leader in providing money transfer services, and Banamex,
Mexico's leader in the delivery of quality financial services, come together
to offer a first-class money transfer experience between Mexico and the United
States."
"For more than a century, Western Union and Banamex each have served the
Mexican market, and consumers have trusted and relied on us to handle their
banking and money transfer needs," said Charles T. Fote, president and chief
operating officer for First Data Corp. "By bringing together our two powerful
and recognized brands we will offer consumers tremendous peace of mind in
knowing that their money transfers are being handled with the greatest speed
and security.
"This association carries an even deeper significance, as Western Union
and Banamex both share a strong commitment to the community," Fote added.
"Beyond providing the best in financial services, our companies support social
projects that help our customers and their families in Mexico."
In a separate release, Western Union's sister company, Orlandi Valuta,
announced a similar agreement to facilitate money transfers with Banamex and
CCB.
About Banacci
Grupo Financiero Banamex-Accival is Mexico's leading financial group.
Following a universal banking strategy, the Group offers a variety of
financial services to companies and individuals, which include commercial and
investment banking, insurance, and fund management. Banamex, founded in 1884,
is Mexico's leading commercial bank in terms of equity. The Bank has an
extensive distribution network of more than 1,300 branches and 3,000 ATM's
located throughout the country.
About California Commerce Bank
California Commerce Bank provides full banking services for companies and
individuals that do business in Mexico and the United States. As part of
Grupo Financiero Banamex-Accival, CCB is the U.S. banking arm of Banco
Nacional de Mexico (Banamex), Mexico's leading bank. As such, CCB is the
gateway to and from Mexican financial markets. With over $2.1 billion in
assets and advanced international information technology systems, CCB is a
valued resource for customers with interests, which cross national boundaries.
For more information, visit California Commerce Bank at http://www.ccbusa.com.
About Western Union
Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data
Corporation (NYSE: FDC), is a worldwide leader in consumer money transfer
services. The company provides rapid money transfer service through a global
agent network. Consumers can quickly, safely and reliably transfer money at
approximately 101,000 agent locations in more than 185 countries and
territories using the Western Union and Orlandi Valuta money transfer
networks. Famous for its pioneering telegraph service, the original Western
Union dates back to 1851 and introduced electronic money transfer service in
1871. Western Union is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2001. For more
information please visit http://www.westernunion.com.
About First Data Corp.
Atlanta-based First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC) powers the global economy.
Serving nearly 2.5 million merchant locations, more than 1,400 card issuers
and millions of consumers, First Data makes it easier, faster and more secure
for people and businesses to buy goods and services, using virtually any form
of payment: credit, debit, 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 or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 138116
CONTACT:
Media, Wendy Carver-Herbert of Western Union
Financial Services, Inc., 303-967-6416,
wendy.carver@firstdatacorp.com; or Investors, Barbara Marxer of
First Data Corp., 770-857-7118, barbara.marxer@firstdatacorp.com;
or Grupo Financiero Banamex-Accival, Investor Relations Unit,
52-5-225-4095, investor@banamex.com
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