Press release from Business Wire
Grupo Elektra and Western Union Enter into New Money Transfer Agreement
<p class='bwalignc'> <b>— Agreement reflects the enormous value of the Grupo Elektra and Western Union brands, extensive networks and market positioning —</b> </p>
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Grupo Elektra and Western Union Enter into New Money Transfer Agreement18:00 EST Tuesday, February 21, 2012
MEXICO CITY (Business Wire) -- Grupo Elektra, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: ELEKTRA*; Latibex: XEKT),
Latin America's leading financial services company and specialty
retailer, and The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in
global payments, announced today the companies have entered into a new
long term money transfer agreement in Mexico with Western Union under a
non-exclusive basis.
With more than 1,800 points of sale in Mexico, cutting edge technology
and the trust of millions of Mexican families in its brands through more
than six decades of company operations, Grupo Elektra has proven
experience in the money transfer and payments industry, together with
Western Union's more than 100 years of presence in Mexico, providing
dependable financial services.
Western Union, together with Vigo and Orlandi Valuta, has more than
50,000 points of sale in the US. Western Union is the leading provider
of money transfers worldwide with 160 years of experience, more than
485,000 Agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories.
In 1993, Grupo Elektra and Western Union signed an agreement through
which Grupo Elektra was enabled to payout international money transfers
in Mexico; the agreement was renewed in 2006, adding under a separate
agreement Western Union branded payments services Vigo and Orlandi
Valuta.
The new agreements consolidate Grupo Elektra's solid positioning as a
major paying agent in Mexico, and further increases and diversifies the
company's revenues and profitability. With secure and fast money
transfer operations, the agreements reaffirm Grupo Elektra and Western
Union's solid commitment to serve millions of consumers throughout
Mexico.
Company Profile
Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx)
is Latin America's leading financial services company focused on the
mass market. The Group operates over 2,600 points of sale in Mexico,
Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Panama, El Salvador and Argentina.
Grupo Elektra also sells and markets its consumer finance, banking and
financial products and services through Banco Azteca branches located in
Mexico, Brazil, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and El Salvador.
Grupo Elektra is a Grupo Salinas company (www.gruposalinas.com),
a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically advanced companies
focused on creating shareholder value, contributing to build the middle
class of the countries in which they operate and improving society
through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com),
Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum
for the top leaders of member companies. The companies include Azteca (www.irtvazteca.com),
Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com),
Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx),
Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx),
Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx),
Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx)
and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com.mx).
Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own
management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no
equity holdings. However, the member companies share a common vision,
values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and
world-class performance.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press
release are forward-looking statements and are subject to certain risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected. Other risks that may affect Grupo Elektra and its
subsidiaries are identified in documents sent to securities authorities.
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.
Grupo Salinas Investor RelationsBruno
RangelGrupo SalinasTel. +52 (55) 1720 9167jrangelk@gruposalinas.com.mxorCarlos
CasillasGrupo SalinasTel. +52 (55) 1720 0041cjcasillas@gruposalinas.com.mxorGrupo
Salinas Press RelationsTristán CanalesGrupo
SalinasTel. +52 (55) 1720-1441tcanales@gruposalinas.com.mxorDaniel
McCoshGrupo SalinasTel. +52 (55) 1720-0059dmccosh@gruposalinas.com.mxorThe
Western Union CompanyDaniel Díaz, MediaTel.
+1 (303) 547-2347daniel.diaz@WesternUnion.comorMike
Salop, Investor RelationsTel. +1 (720) 332-8276Mike.Salop@WesternUnion.com
