The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), under the umbrella of its signature program, Our World, Our Family®, has activated its full range of resources to aid those affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan. This week, the company, in cooperation with its Agents, launched a "No Transfer Fee"* program for money transfers sent to Japan, mobilized consumer and employee involvement through matching gift programs and contributed to humanitarian relief efforts through The Western Union Foundation.

Consumers sending money to Japan may visit participating Western Union® Agent locations to send a money transfer to family and friends in Japan or may do so online at www.westernunion.com. The "No Transfer Fee" program to Japan will be available at participating Western Union Agent locations around the world through April 17, 2011, and is subject to network, service and currency availability.

"Western Union stands together with its Agents and the people of Japan at this time of need," said Hikmet Ersek, President and CEO. "Our services are an economic lifeline, and that is seldom more evident than in times of personal crisis or national emergency."

The earthquake and tsunami damages have generated a number of challenges for businesses operating in Japan, and Western Union continues to work with its Agents toward restoring full service as quickly as possible to people in affected regions. In Japan, consumers can call the toll free hotline 0034-800-400-733 or check www.westernunion.co.jp to obtain updates on operating hours of Western Union Agent locations across the country.

Western Union Foundation Grant

Earlier this week, the Western Union Foundation made a $50,000 contribution to Mercy Corps in support of Peace Winds Japan, their local partner, to provide for the immediate needs of survivors, including supplying shelter, food, water, blankets and medicine.

"The entire family of Western Union employees and Agents has been deeply moved by the suffering and loss of life in Japan and is working together to offer assistance," said Luella Chavez D'Angelo, President, The Western Union Foundation.

Consumer Giving

Additionally, Western Union has opened avenues to encourage and support consumer charitable giving. The company has activated a special account to enable U.S. consumers to support Japan disaster-relief efforts through Mercy Corps by sending a no-fee money transfer using the Western Union® Quick Collect® service (code city: Japan Relief, CO). This service is available through participating Western Union Agent locations and online at www.westernunion.com.

The company also is partnering with Foodland Super Market, Ltd in Hawaii to match consumer donations given at Foodland and Sack N Save stores Donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000 by the Western Union Foundation and up to $50,000 by Foodland, for a total matching gift of $150,000.

Western Union Employee Giving

The Western Union Foundation also initiated a Japan Earthquake Relief Fund to match donations from Western Union employees. Within the first three days following the disaster, Western Union employees contributed nearly $18,000. These donations will be matched two-for-one for U.S. based employees, and three-for-one for all other company employees around the world.

*Western Union may make money on the exchange of currencies.

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. The Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta-branded services are offered through a combined network of 445,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2010, The Western Union Company completed 214 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $76 billion of principal between consumers, and 405 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About the Western Union Foundation
Through Western Union's Our World, Our Family® signature program, the Western Union Foundation supports initiatives to empower people through access to economic opportunity. Recognized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy in 2009, the program is a five-year, $50 million commitment reflecting efforts made by Western Union employees, agents and partners around the world. Since its inception, the Western Union Foundation has awarded more than $71.7 million in grants to more than 2010 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 104 countries and territories. To learn more, visit http://foundation.westernunion.com.

Western Union

Western Union

The Western Union Company, a leader in global payment services, believes access to financial services is a necessity. Western Union moves money reliably and quickly to almost every country - and we do it for extraordinary people seeking a better life and for businesses that generate jobs and opportunity.

Our business changes lives for the better. So does the Western Union Foundation: since 2001, the Western Union Foundation has awarded more than $101.1 million in grants to more than 2,730 nongovernmental organizations in more than 135 countries and territories..

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