Western Union Activates Money Transfers into Greece

The Western Union Company, a leader in global payment services, today announced the activation of international remittances into Greece, allowing customers to receive cash payouts in minutes* at select walk-in retail Agent locations from almost anywhere around the world.

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International and domestic Western Union Money Transfer® transactions are available for payout at up to 270¹ out of 1,000 locations of WorldBridge Payment Institution (Paylink®) across Greece, with customers allowed to receive cash in amounts not subject to Greek capital controls.

Western Union is working on expanding its in-bound payout Agent locations to include the entire network of over 1,800 locations represented by Agents WorldBridge Payment Institution (Paylink®) and ELTA - Hellenic Post, Greece’s Postal Authority.

“To reinstate money transfer services for our customers is a great triumph, as we know the need to move money into Greece has never been more relevant than it is today. Our experience across the globe shows that during any type of crises – economic or otherwise – families and friends living abroad come together to support their loved ones in need,” said Giovanni Angelini, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Europe at Western Union.

“We are pleased to reinstate this important lifeline for customers in Greece who urgently depend upon the generosity and kindness of their family and friends across the world to send them funds to pay for regular expenses, including everyday living expenses, health care and education,” he said.

The activation of Western Union international and domestic transfers follows a new law issued by the Greek government, allowing money transfer operators to resume intra as well as in-bound transactions under special conditions.

Western Union also recently activated in-bound transfers directly into Greek bank accounts from family or loved ones from 30 countries across North America, Europe, CIS and Asia Pacific.

Western Union’s cross-border platform is a rare combination of a physical and fast-growing digital network in 200 countries and territories. Across its brands the company has over 500,000 retail agent locations around the world – including leading retailers and banks, more than 100,000 ATMs and kiosks, over 90 active account-based money transfer banks, bank payout in more than 50 countries and wu.com sites in 25 countries.

* Service and funds availability depends on certain factors including the Service selected, the selection of delayed delivery options, special terms applicable to each Service, amount sent, destination country, currency availability, regulatory issues, consumer protection issues, identification requirements, delivery restrictions, agent location hours, and differences in time zones (collectively, “Restrictions”).

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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 March 31, 2015, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 100,000 ATMs and kiosks. In 2014, The Western Union Company completed 255 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $85 billion of principal between consumers, and 484 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

¹ Availability of funds across the 270 select locations will be initially gradual; customers may call WorldBridge’s Call Center at 800 1002020 (local toll free) & +30 210 9005000 to verify the full functionality of locations.

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Contact information

Western Union Media Contacts
US:
Pia De Lima, + 1-954-260-5732
Pia.delima@westernunion.com
or
Europe:
Sabine Fischer, +43 664 152 7554
sabine.fischer@westernunion.com (Austria)