Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a
subsidiary of First Data Corp., announced the addition of
Algeria to the growing list of countries served by its international money
transfer system. Alliances with Societe Generale Algeria, El Khalifa Bank,
and the Algerian Post Office will create an estimated 200 Western Union agent
locations throughout Algeria by year-end and will allow Western Union to offer
money transfer services to the nearly three million Algerians living abroad.
Western Union’s agreements with the Societe Generale Algeria and El
Khalifa Bank have been operational for several months, providing services in
more than 30 locations in major cities nationwide. Both organizations are
expected to vigorously pursue expansion opportunities. In addition, the
recent agreement with the Algerian Post Office will significantly amplify the
presence of Western Union throughout Algeria and will help extend its reach to
Algerian populations in rural areas as well as urban communities. The Post
Office is projected to offer service through 100 locations by the end of the
year.
“The addition of the Algerian Post Office, Societe Generale Algeria and El
Khalifa Bank illustrates Western Union’s policy of aggressive international
expansion,” said Charles T. Fote, president and chief operating office, First
Data Corp. “These agreements represent a significant extension of the Western
Union global agent network and enhance our presence throughout Africa. They
also demonstrate our commitment to ally ourselves with the most trusted and
service-oriented local businesses.”
Both postal organizations and local banks provide Western Union an
important link to communities around the world and have become valued agent
partners. With the addition of Societe Generale Algeria, the Algerian Post
Office and El Khalifa Bank, Western Union Money Transfer services are now
available through more than 100,000 locations that span the globe, providing
an unparalleled international presence in the field of money remittance.
About Western Union and First Data Corp.
Western Union Financial Services, Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corp.
(NYSE FDC), is a worldwide leader in consumer money transfer services.
Consumers can quickly, safely and reliably transfer money at over
100,000 agent locations in more than 185 countries and territories using the
Western Union money transfer network. Famous for its pioneering telegraph
service, the original Western Union dates back to 1851 and introduced
electronic money transfer service in 1871. Western Union is celebrating its
150th anniversary in 2001. For more information, please visit the company’s
Web site at http//www.westernunion.com.
First Data Corp. (NYSE FDC), with global headquarters in Denver, powers
the global economy. Serving approximately 2.6 million merchant locations,
more than 1,400 card issuers and millions of consumers, First Data makes it
easier, faster and more secure for people and businesses to buy goods and
services, using virtually any form of payment credit, debit, smart card,
stored-value card or check at the point-of-sale, over the Internet or by money
transfer. For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at
http//www.firstdata.com.