Sep 9, 2009

Western Union Ready to Implement New Rules on Sending Money to Cuba

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Sep 09, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in the money transfer segment of global payments, announced today it is ready to implement the new rules issued by The U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on sending money to Cuba.

"Western Union has consistently connected families in the U.S. with loved ones in Cuba through fast and reliable money transfer services," said Stewart A. Stockdale, Executive Vice President and President, The Americas Western Union. "We look forward to expanding our Agent network to better serve consumers, consistent with OFAC's guidelines."

While an affidavit is still required, the new OFAC guidelines, effective September 03, 2009:

• Allow persons in the U.S. to send remittances to "close relatives" in Cuba, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins (who are nationals of Cuba); and
• Removes limits on the total amount and frequency of remittances sent to Cuba.

Western Union has been providing money transfer services from the U.S. to Cuba since 1999, in accordance with OFAC laws. Western Union currently has 3,000 Agent locations authorized to send Western Union money transfers from the U.S. to Cuba, and more than 100 Agent locations in Cuba. For more information, consumers may call 1 (888) 984-CUBA (2822).

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in the money transfer segment of global payments. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta and Pago Fácil branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta operate through a combined network of more than 385,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

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SOURCE: Western Union

Western Union
Daniel Díaz, + 1 720-332-5564
daniel.diaz@WesternUnion.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009