Western Union Funds Twenty-One 4+1 Projects Across Zacatecas, Veracruz, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Guerrero

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a worldwide leader in money-transfer services, today announced it will fund an additional twenty-one 4+1 projects, in the States of Zacatecas, Veracruz, Guanajuato, Michoacan, and Guerrero in Mexico.

Through its global signature program, Our World, Our Familysm, Western Union will allocate more than $430,000 USD to support the various economic and community development projects throughout the five states.

“The 4+1 program is producing concrete results,” said Christina Gold, President and Chief Executive Officer, Western Union. “In Zacatecas alone, the program has helped create more than 4,000 temporary jobs – boosting economic development throughout the region.”

The program is an extension of the 3X1 Program, established by the Mexican government in partnership with Mexican Hometown Associations in the United States.

Western Union first announced the 4+1 program in 2005 with Governor Amalia Garcia in the State of Zacatecas. Western Union is the first private-sector company to support the program.

The new 4+1 projects include:

Zacatecas: Green House, Municipality of Jerez; Prickly Pear Production Plant, Municipality of Nochistlan; Eco-Tourism Park, Municipality of Valparaiso; Commercial Market Place, Municipality Valparaiso; and Technical Assistance to Zacatecas 4+1 Projects across the state. Western Union’s 4+1 project funding for Zacatecas totals $100,000 USD.

Veracruz: Pork Farm, Municipality of Ayahualco; Diary Farm Equipment, Municipality of Miahuatlan; Acquisition of Green House; Diary Product Production, Municipality of Miahuatlan; Agricultural Tourism, Municipalities of Naolinco, Tonayan, Chiconquiaco, Miahuatlan and Landero y Coss; and a Poultry Business in the Municipality of Tepatlaxco. Western Union’s 4+1 project funding for Veracruz totals $142,000 USD.

Guanajuato: Diary Farm Equipment, Municipality of Leon; Textile Production, Municipality of Yuriria; Cattle Feed Production, Municipalities of Leon and Nuevo Lindero; Linen and Sports Clothing Production, Municipality of Cortazar; and Linen Production in the Municipality of Parra. Western Union’s 4+1 project funding for Guanajuato totals $80,000 USD.

Michoacan: Lamb Farm, Municipality of Charo; Tortilla Products, Municipality of Charo; Tomato Greenhouse, in Municipalities of Villamar and Vista Hermosa. Western Union’s 4+1 project funding for Michoacan totals $85,000 USD.

Guerrero: Vegetable Greenhouse, Municipality of Pilcaya. Total Western Union project funding will be $25,000 USD.

In the initial stages of the program, Western Union donated funds for eight projects in Zacatecas communities. These 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 at least $1.25 million to these and other projects in several Mexican states.

Western Union’s Our World, Our Familysm is a five-year, $50 million corporate signature program supported by The Western Union Foundation and The Western Union Company. The program is designed to provide communities with the skills, knowledge and resources essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. The program is framed around four areas: Our World Gives; Our World Learns; Our World Strives and Our World Speaks, with each pillar given equal attention.

About the Western Union Foundation

Through the donations of The Western Union Company, its employees and Agents, the Western Union Foundation helps to fund programs that create economic opportunity around the world. Embracing the truly global nature of its corporate sponsor, the Western Union Foundation has granted nearly $48 million to more than 1,750 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in 70 countries. Its signature giving program, Western Union’s Our World, Our Familysm, is a $50 million, five-year commitment reaching people at every rung of the economic ladder.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) is a leader in global money transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, 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. It operates through a combined network of more than 365,000 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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