Western Union - Financial choices, convenience and control
Posted in Internet Service, Loans, Productivity, Gifts, News, E-commerce, Shopping, Credit Cards by acblmb on July 24th, 2007 
For more than 150 years, Western Union has been connecting people.
Today’s Western Union:
Is a global leader in money transfer services.
Is an industry leader with approximately $4 billion in revenue.
Helps consumers and businesses send money and bill payments quickly and reliably.
Allows consumers to prepay for wireless and home phone service, Internet access, and even purchase a Prepaid MasterCard.
Provides consumers with financial choices, convenience and control.
Offers services through thousands of Agent locations worldwide.
Our History
Western Union® began as a telegraph company, sending messages to millions of people worldwide. Today, Western Union is a global leader in money transfer services. The strength of our 150-year history is the foundation for our future growth.
1851
A group of businessmen in Rochester, New York form The New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company - Western Union’s predecessor company.
1856
The New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company changes its name to The Western Union Telegraph Company, signifying the union of “western” telegraph lines with eastern lines into one system.
1861
Western Union completes the first transcontinental telegraph line, providing fast, coast-to-coast communications during the U.S. Civil War.
1869
Western Union introduces the first stock ticker, providing brokerage firms with New York Stock Exchange quotations.
1870
Western Union launches a time service, helping to standardize time nationally. Western Union holds the distinction as “The Nation’s Timekeeper” for nearly a century.
1871
Western Union Money Transfer® service was introduced and became the company’s primary business.
1884
Western Union is selected as one of the original 11 stocks tracked in the first Dow Jones Average.
1914
Western Union introduces the first consumer charge card.
1920
Western Union introduces teletypewriters, joining branches and individual companies.
1933
Singing telegrams are introduced.
1935
The first inter-city facsimile service is introduced.
1943
Western Union pioneers the first commercial inter-city microwave system.
1958
Western Union introduces Telex, a direct-dial consumer to consumer teleprinter service.
1964
Western Union launches the use of a transcontinental microwave radio beam system, replacing poles and wires spanning the continent.
1970
Western Union MailGram® messages offer next-day delivery through the postal service.
1974
Western Union launches Westar I, the first commercial communications satellite in the United States.
1980
Revenue from the Money Transfer service (originally known as money order service) exceeds that from the telegram service for the first time in Western Union history.
1982
Western Union is the first company with five satellites in orbit.
1989
Quick Collect® provides creditors a service for securing fast collection of payments via flat-rate money transfers.
Rapid Money Transfer service becomes available outside North America.
1992
Western Union® Money OrderSM service provides customers with a fast, easy way to get money orders.
1993
Dinero en Minutos® (Money in MinutesSM) service is introduced, making funds sent to Mexico from the U.S. available in minutes.
1993
The Western Union Phone Card service is the first branded, pre-paid, and disposable telephone card offered in the United States.
1994
First Financial Management Corporation acquires Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
1995
First Financial Management Corporation completes a $7 billion merger with First Data Corporation (NYSE: FDC). Western Union Financial Services, Inc. becomes a First Data Corporation subsidiary.
1996
Western Union opens its North America headquarters in Englewood, Colorado. International presence continues to expand with new regional offices in Paris, Vienna, and Hong Kong.
1998
The Western Union Money Transfer service expands to reach 50,000 Agent locations worldwide, the world’s largest money-transfer network. International Regional Operating Centers open in Brussels and Costa Rica.
1999
By the end of the year, there are more than 80,000 Western Union Agent locations in more than 140 countries and territories around the globe.
2000
Western Union launches westernunion.com, bringing the convenience of money transfer to the Internet.
2001
Western Union celebrates its 150-year anniversary by reaching more than 100,000 Agent locations worldwide.
2002
Christina Gold named President, Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
2005
The Western Union Agent network, combined with subsidiary Orlandi Valuta, exceeds 250,000 locations.
2006
Western Union discontinues its historic telegram service, completing its transformation to a financial services company.
