Western Union Continues Its Growth As One of The World’s Leading Money Transfer Service Providers And A Trusted Member of the Thai Community

Announces new relationship with Thanachart Bank, which brings 281 new Agent locations to the Western Union nationwide network Western Union recently released its operating results for 2011, which demonstrated again the organization’s solid international growth and its particularly strong performance in the Asia-Pacific region with revenues increasing by 11% and regional operating margins reaching 28% in 2011. Additionally, Western Union in Thailand announced its cooperation with Thanachart Bank and the resulting addition of 281 Agent locations to its nationwide network. Western Union is celebrating its 160th anniversary globally and its 17th year of successful operations in Thailand. In the face of a challenging global economic environment Western Union reported revenues of US$5.5 billion in 2011 or an increase of 6% over 2010, and an operating profit of US$1.385 billion or 7% more than 2010. In the Asia-Pacific region the company’s revenues increased by 11%, on a 9% increase in total transactions. In Thailand, Western Union has continued to expand both in terms of its number of locations and its range of services. Most recently it welcomed Thanachart Bank (TBANK) as its newest Agent in Thailand. The new relationship involves a bank network that has over 680 branches across the country, including 281 locations that offer Western Union? services for the first time. These locations complement the company’s existing network of over 4,600 Agent locations[1] and facilitate offering the convenience of Western Union? Money TransferSM Services to consumers nationwide. Earlier in 2011 Western Union and its Agent Bank of Ayudhya (BAY) announced the launch of Krungsri “Call4WesternUnion”, which represents an Account-based Money Transfer (ABMT) service. This service enables BAY account holders to access Western Union? services through their bank accounts and so have an additional way to quickly and easily send or receive funds via Western Union’s global network. “This is a very exciting time for Western Union around the world as well as in Thailand, as we continue to expand our services and channels to meet the growing needs of our consumers,” said Vipawan Yongvikul, Country Director, Thailand, Western Union. “In Thailand, we are working together with our Agents to explore the potential for bank account-based money transfers through internet banking, ATM and phone banking channels, based on recent insights into consumer use of technology and desire for faster and more convenient access to money transfer services.” During its 17 years of operation in Thailand, Western Union has continuously expanded both its presence and its service offerings. In 2011 the company transferred funds from 185 countries into Thailand as well as transferred money from Thailand to 190 countries. This represents an important change for Thailand, as the country has moved from being primarily a destination for international funds transfer to being an important source of funds transfers. Much of this change has been brought about by the thousands of Thai entrepreneurs and SMEs that are using Western Union’s services to transfer funds to their partners overseas in order to efficiently source goods and services[2]. “Entrepreneurs are a key consumer segment for Western Union in Thailand as we offer them the means to quickly and efficiently send and receive funds, which is critical in today’s fast paced and highly competitive economy. Of course we are still a very popular choice for individuals who need to transfer money for personal reasons and these people make up the majority of our customers in the Thai market. For individuals the single largest reason for using the Western Union? service is to transfer funds for family support,” said Vipawan. In Thailand today, Western Union has over 4,600 Agent locations[3] across the country that are operated by seven Agents including Bangkok Bank, Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, Bank of Ayudhya, Central Department Store, Thailand Post, Thanachart Bank, and UOB Bank. “2011 was a good year for Western Union in Thailand and we are looking forward to continue growing our business here in 2012 and beyond. I believe that we will see an increase in both the amount and type of services we provide to our Thai customers, which will be in line with the economic dynamism of the Thai market and the needs and aspirations of Thai citizens across the country,” concluded Vipawan. 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, 2011, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of approximately 485,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2011, The Western Union Company completed 226 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $81 billion of principal between consumers, and 425 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com. More information please contact: Jeremy Plotnick Aziam Burson-Marsteller Tel: 086-671-2800 Email: [email protected] Connie Yip Western Union Tel: +852 3405 8002 Email: [email protected] [1] Western Union network data as of December 31, 2011. [2] Subject to applicable restrictions of receiving country, which may restrict the service to personal transfers only. Please visit a Western Union Agent location for details. [3] Western Union network data as of December 31, 2011. -KP- Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net

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