Western Union Launches Mobile Money Transfer App in Canada

Press Release By Reggie Adams Published OnOctober 3, 2016

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payments, today announced the launch of its mobile platform in Canada for domestic and cross-border money transfers, available for iOS and Android.

The new app allows users instant, anytime, anywhere access to Western Union’s sophisticated physical and digital money transfer infrastructure, allowing them to send money to nearly every corner of the world in just a few clicks.

The launch in Canada is part of the company’s significant commitment to invest in digital innovation worldwide. With an online presence in 37 countries¹, Western Union is one of the largest digital money transfer operators in the world by revenue and online presence. The app enhances Western Union’s existing digital offering, where consumers are able to send money online via westernunion.ca, and offers yet another digital channel for consumers to transfer funds.

“Whether on a smart phone or at a store front, we’re committed to being where our customers are and helping them send money in the way that works best for them,” said Juan Carlos Blanco, Vice President and General Manager, Western Union Canada.

A recent survey commissioned by Western Union Canada showed that Canadians are more likely to do business with a company that understands their cultural and economic circumstances. In a country as diverse as Canada – where many new Canadians come from areas of the world with less developed financial systems or access to financial services – this means providing options: the option to send money face-to-face for those who prefer to transact in cash, and the option to send money online for those who prefer to operate from their computers or smartphones.

With the new app – available in Canada on the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android – consumers in Canada will now be able to:

Send money on-the-go, any time, to more than 200 countries and territories;
Check current exchange rates and fees;
View past and pending transactions;
Get access to round-the-clock customer service;
Track money transfers directly from their mobile device, and
Discover the locations of Western Union’s Agents – 500,000 worldwide, with nearly 3,300 in Canada alone

“We are connecting more people, across more channels, than ever before,” said Joycelyn David, Director, Digital Business and Product Marketing, Western Union Canada. “We have been serving Canadians’ money transfer needs for more than 25 years, and now as Canadian consumers move to a more digital space in their daily lives, we are moving with them. Whether our customers prefer to deal across a counter or across a screen, we are committed to serving them across every channel.”

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, 2016, 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, and included the capability to send money to billions of accounts. In 2015, The Western Union Company completed 262 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $82 billion of principal between consumers, and 508 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com. WU-G

¹ Count as of October 3, 2016