ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment
services, together with Lottomatica and MasterCard today announced the
launch of the My WU® reloadable prepaid card in Italy.
Lottomatica, the brand through which GTECH S.p.A operates in Italy, is
one of the most trusted and well-known brands in Italy, is the first
company in Europe to join the Western Union® Global Share platform. The
platform, announced earlier this year, enables Western Union to
introduce new stored-value solutions in markets around the world by
joining forces with local companies.
The My WU prepaid card is designed to serve the more than 4 million
registered migrant workers in Italy who need convenient access to
financial services. The cards will be available at 15,000 Lottomatica
Carta Lis locations throughout Italy and online at www.wu.com/it/mywu/prepaid.
Customers also will have the option to reload their My WU prepaid cards
at more than 22,000 locations and over 10,000 ATMs across Italy.
“The launch of the My WU card in Italy is part of our global strategy to
leverage our wide-reaching, powerful and trusted brand – along with
brands such as Lottomatica and MasterCard – to better serve the
financial needs of our core customers around the world,” said Diane
Scott, Executive Vice President, Chief Product and Marketing Officer,
Western Union. “Through the Western Union Global Share platform, we look
forward to continuing to develop innovative solutions that address the
unmet financial services needs of customers worldwide, while adding more
choices and convenience.”
The My WU card will offer customers in Italy who do not have bank
accounts the ability to send money transfers, receive direct deposits
from their employers, make retail purchases in shops and online outlets
that accept MasterCard as well as to withdraw money from ATMs across
Italy. My WU cardholders will also be able to fund Western Union Money
Transfer transactions using their cards at Lottomatica locations where
the service is available, while also benefiting from the advantages of
Western Union’s consumer loyalty program.
“We have created a prepaid card that is primarily targeted at migrant
workers in our country,” said Sergio Signoretti, CEO of CartaLis Imel.
“And have made it available through our retail network. Market research
shows that one of the priorities for migrant workers is access to
financial services and to send money to their home country.”
In 2011, MasterCard and The Western Union Company announced a global
agreement to help make electronic payments, including prepaid cards and
money transfers, more efficient and convenient for consumers around the
world. Carlo Enrico, group executive, strategy and development,
MasterCard, said, “We view the introduction of this service in Italy as
a significant advancement in our joint efforts to support financial
inclusion around the world.”
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 Western
Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union
provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient
ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to
purchase money orders. As of June 30, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo and
Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network
of approximately 520,000 agent locations in 200 countries and
territories and approximately 115,000 ATMs. In 2012, The Western Union
Company completed 231 million consumer-to-consumer transactions
worldwide, moving $79 billion of principal between consumers, and 432
million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
About LOTTOMATICA
LOTTOMATICA is the brand through which GTECH S.p.A, a leading provider
of lottery and gaming technology solutions worldwide, operates in Italy.
In Italy, Lottomatica has exclusive concessions on some games and on
both instant and traditional lotteries and non-exclusive concessions for
sports bets and entertainment devices. Moreover Lottomatica provides
services to businesses and consumers (payment services, reload services,
e-money and tickets) through the subsidiary Lottomatica Italia Servizi.
For further information, please visit www.lottomaticaitalia.it.
About MasterCard
MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com,
is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the
world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers,
financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more
than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions
make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running
a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more
efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the
discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest
news on the Engagement Bureau.
WU-G
WU-F
Source: Western Union