Western Union Launches My WU Prepaid Card Jointly with Lottomatica (GTECH S.p.A) and MasterCard in Italy

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--()--The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment services, together with Lottomatica and MasterCard today announced the launch of the My WU® reloadable prepaid card in Italy.

Lottomatica, the brand through which GTECH S.p.A operates in Italy, is one of the most trusted and well-known brands in Italy, is the first company in Europe to join the Western Union® Global Share platform. The platform, announced earlier this year, enables Western Union to introduce new stored-value solutions in markets around the world by joining forces with local companies.

The My WU prepaid card is designed to serve the more than 4 million registered migrant workers in Italy who need convenient access to financial services. The cards will be available at 15,000 Lottomatica Carta Lis locations throughout Italy and online at www.wu.com/it/mywu/prepaid. Customers also will have the option to reload their My WU prepaid cards at more than 22,000 locations and over 10,000 ATMs across Italy.

“The launch of the My WU card in Italy is part of our global strategy to leverage our wide-reaching, powerful and trusted brand – along with brands such as Lottomatica and MasterCard – to better serve the financial needs of our core customers around the world,” said Diane Scott, Executive Vice President, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Western Union. “Through the Western Union Global Share platform, we look forward to continuing to develop innovative solutions that address the unmet financial services needs of customers worldwide, while adding more choices and convenience.”

The My WU card will offer customers in Italy who do not have bank accounts the ability to send money transfers, receive direct deposits from their employers, make retail purchases in shops and online outlets that accept MasterCard as well as to withdraw money from ATMs across Italy. My WU cardholders will also be able to fund Western Union Money Transfer transactions using their cards at Lottomatica locations where the service is available, while also benefiting from the advantages of Western Union’s consumer loyalty program.

“We have created a prepaid card that is primarily targeted at migrant workers in our country,” said Sergio Signoretti, CEO of CartaLis Imel. “And have made it available through our retail network. Market research shows that one of the priorities for migrant workers is access to financial services and to send money to their home country.”

In 2011, MasterCard and The Western Union Company announced a global agreement to help make electronic payments, including prepaid cards and money transfers, more efficient and convenient for consumers around the world. Carlo Enrico, group executive, strategy and development, MasterCard, said, “We view the introduction of this service in Italy as a significant advancement in our joint efforts to support financial inclusion around the world.”

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, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of approximately 520,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and approximately 115,000 ATMs. In 2012, The Western Union Company completed 231 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $79 billion of principal between consumers, and 432 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About LOTTOMATICA

LOTTOMATICA is the brand through which GTECH S.p.A, a leading provider of lottery and gaming technology solutions worldwide, operates in Italy. In Italy, Lottomatica has exclusive concessions on some games and on both instant and traditional lotteries and non-exclusive concessions for sports bets and entertainment devices. Moreover Lottomatica provides services to businesses and consumers (payment services, reload services, e-money and tickets) through the subsidiary Lottomatica Italia Servizi. For further information, please visit www.lottomaticaitalia.it.

About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

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Contacts

Western Union
Kristin Kelly, +1 720-332-4751
kristin.kelly@westernunion.com

Release Summary

Western Union Launches My WU Prepaid Card Jointly with Lottomatica (GTECH S.p.A) and MasterCard in Italy

Contacts

Western Union
Kristin Kelly, +1 720-332-4751
kristin.kelly@westernunion.com