Western Union Expands Involvement in Economic Development Initiatives in Mexico

“The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a worldwide leader in money transfer services, is expanding its ties to Mexico, meeting with government officials who play a vital role in Mexico’s remittance industry and economic development.

Later this month, company officials will participate in high-level discussions in Mexico City on corporate initiatives and social responsibility. During these meetings, Western Union representatives also plan to announce the expansion of the 4+1 program, an economic and social development initiative in conjunction with Mexican Home Town Associations in the United States (HTAs) and the federal, state and municipal governments in Mexico.

“We have a long history of giving back to the communities that we serve,” said Liz Alicea-Velez, Executive Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean region. “Western Union has committed more than a million dollars to the 4+1 program, matching the contributions the HTAs and the three Mexican government levels have provided to support much-needed initiatives in key states in Mexico affected by high levels of poverty and migration. We will continue to set the industry standard, not only for products and services, but for social responsibility and good corporate citizenship.”

Earlier this year and during the initial stages of the program, Western Union helped fund eight projects in communities throughout the State of Zacatecas. These projects included an eco-tourism park, fruit and vegetable processing, nopal farming, agribusiness equipment, a pork farm and a computer assembly plant. In all, Western Union will contribute $1.25 million to these and other projects in five states.

During an upcoming trip to Mexico, the company will announce the expansion of the program to the State of Mexico.

“Western Union is especially thrilled at the potential of this program to provide private-sector savvy to small local enterprises,” said Mario Hernandez, director of public affairs for Western Union. “As these development projects continue to grow, migration will become a matter of choice rather than a necessity.”

Western Union is so far the first and only private-sector company to participate in this ongoing effort, building on the success of the 3×1 Program established by the Mexican government in partnership with Mexican HTAs. Under the program, Western Union contributes one dollar for every dollar contributed by the HTAs, matched by the Mexican government at the federal, state and municipal levels. The aggregate funds are used to support economic development projects that will help create job opportunities in cities and states throughout Mexico.

Western Union gives to non-profit and non-governmental organizations through the company’s Corporate Giving Program and the Western Union Foundation. Together, Western Union and the Western Union Foundation fund hundreds of projects in communities around the world, focusing corporate and individual compassion on improving and enhancing the quality of life for individuals most in need. For example, since 2001, the Western Union Foundation has awarded nearly $40 million in direct grants to nonprofit organizations to provide disaster relief, education and human service programs for those most in need.

About Western Union
Western Union, together with its affiliates Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, is a leading provider of global money transfer services, providing people with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send money around the world, pay bills and purchase money orders through a network of more than 305,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com “

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