Western Union Launches My WU Prepaid Card Jointly with Lottomatica (GTECH S.p.A) and MasterCard in Italy
October 16 2013 - 6:00AM
Business Wire
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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Western UnionKristin Kelly, +1 720-332-4751kristin.kelly@westernunion.com
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