ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Sep 30, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- To help the victims of Hurricane Karl in Veracruz, Mexico, The Western Union Foundation, through its Agent Giving Circle, and Western Union Agent Grupo Elektra, today donated USD $50,000 to Fundacion Azteca in support of flood relief efforts.

Also, The Western Union Company has established a Quick Collect^(R) account - Veracruzrelief, CA. Individuals in the U.S. wishing to donate may do so through the account, Veracruzrelief, CA, at any participating Western Union Agent location in the United States. The Quick Collect account will be active until October 27, 2010 with no costs charged for the donation transferred to the Quick Collect account.

Western Union's Agent Giving Circle program provides one-for-one matches on qualifying Agent donations to eligible nonprofit organizations in support of disaster relief efforts.

"The aftermath following Hurricane Karl, which resulted in massive flooding, has displaced tens of thousands of families and children in Veracruz, creating the need for immediate support," said Luella Chavez-D'Angelo, President, The Western Union Foundation. "Our thoughts are with those affected by this disaster, including our colleagues with families and friends in Veracruz."

Through Western Union's Our World, Our Family^(R) signature program, the Western Union Foundation supports initiatives to empower individuals, families and communities, as well as to provide disaster relief.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Custom House branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as send payments and purchase money orders. The Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services are offered through a combined network of approximately 430,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2009, The Western Union Company completed 196 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $71 billion of principal between consumers, and 415 million business payments. For more information, visit http://www.westernunion.com.

About the Western Union Foundation

Through Western Union's Our World, Our Family^(R) signature program, the Western Union Foundation supports initiatives to empower individuals, families and communities through access to better education and economic opportunity. Recognized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy in 2009, the program is a five year, $50 million commitment announced in 2007 reflecting the efforts made by Western Union employees, Agents, and partners around the world. Since its inception in 2001, the Western Union Foundation has awarded more than $67 million in grants and disaster relief to more than 1,900 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 100 countries. For more information, visit http://foundation.westernunion.com.

About Grupo Elektra

Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx) is Latin America's leading financial services company and specialty retailer focused in the mass market. The Group operates more than 1,900 points of sale in Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Panama, El Salvador and Argentina. Grupo Elektra also sells and markets its consumer finance, banking and financial products and services through Banco Azteca branches located in Mexico, Brazil, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru.

About Fundacion Azteca

Dedicated to improve health, nutrition, education and the environment, Fundacion Azteca is one of the most recognized non-profit organizations in Latin America, and has expanded its footprint to the U.S. Hispanic community through Fundacion Azteca America.

Instead of charity, it gives individuals the resources to help themselves. Since 1997, Fundacion Azteca has contributed to improve the lives of thousands of persons, connecting people with willingness to help, and organizations with noble causes, while creating awareness of some of society's most serious problems. For more information, visit www.fundacionazteca.org.

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SOURCE: Western Union

Western Union
Dan Diaz, + 1 303-547-2347
daniel.diaz@WesternUnion.com