OREANDA-NEWS. April 28, 2016. The Western Union Company today augmented its support for the people of Ecuador by launching no-fee* money transfers for ten days commencing Friday, April 22, to May 1st, from select Agent locations or wu.com in the United States and Spain to Agent locations in Ecuador**.

Waiving of fees applies to consumers when sending from participating Western Union Agent locations and wu.com in the U.S. and Spain, for cash-payout in Ecuador. 72 hours after the earthquake, the Western Union Foundation committed US\\$50,000 to the Ecuadorian Red Cross to provide medical treatment, shelter, food and water, and hygiene supplies.

The company’s support to Ecuador is a part of a multi-faceted response from its retail Agent locations in Spain and across the United States, Agents in Ecuador, employees, customers and other business partners, and individuals to provide support for families and communities most affected by the earthquake in Ecuador.

Western Union Foundation Charitable Contributions:

The Western Union Foundation’s initial US\\$50,000 to the Ecuadorian Red Cross will also be supplemented by dollar-for-dollar match of qualifying contributions from Western Union Agents, and other business partners, to NGOs up to US\\$50,000. The Western Union Foundation will also match employee donations 2:1 up to US\\$25,000.

“We are committed to helping the communities we serve. Our thoughts are with the people of Ecuador and the Ecuadorian diaspora community around the world, during this time of need,” said Ignacio Videla, Senior Regional Vice President, Americas Central and South. “In addition to immediate response, we will be working with Western Union Agents, employees and nonprofit partners to provide additional support for long-term initiatives that will help the area recover and rebuild.”

Western Union Foundation Chairman, John Dye, added, “Ecuador's worst earthquake in decades has caused devastation with significant loss of life and damage to property. The Western Union Foundation is responding with support for relief efforts, helping address the most critical needs and help begin the long-term recovery process.”

* Western Union makes money on the exchange of currencies.
** Due to the severity of the earthquake, some Western Union Agent locations in Ecuador may not be immediately operational or possess sufficient funds.

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 December 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, and included the capability to send money to over a billion 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.

About The Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world, where the ability to realize dreams through economic opportunity is not just a privilege for the few but a right for all. Through its signature program, Education for Better, and with the support of The Western Union Company, its employees, Agents, and business partners, The Western Union Foundation works to realize this vision by supporting education and disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better future. Our combined social ventures efforts make life better for individuals, families and communities around the world. Since its inception, The Western Union Foundation has paid more than \\$106 million in grants and other giving. These funds have been pledged to more than 2,794 nongovernmental organizations in more than 137 countries and territories. The Western Union Foundation, is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org, or Follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.