Empresas y finanzas

Western Union Reports First Quarter Results



    The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) today reported financial
    results for the first quarter.

    Highlights for the quarter include:

    -- Revenue of $1.3 billion, up 12%

    -- First quarter 2008 marks the fourth consecutive quarter of

    organic revenue growth acceleration

    -- EPS of $0.27, up 8%; or $0.29, up 16% excluding restructuring

    expenses

    -- Operating income margin of 24%, or 26% excluding restructuring

    expenses

    -- Cash provided by operating activities of $318 million

    -- Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) revenue and transactions increased

    14%

    -- International C2C, which was 67% of total revenue, grew

    revenue and transactions 19%

    -- Consumer-to-business (C2B) revenue grew 4%, transactions up 3%

    -- Quarter closed with 345,000 agent locations

    "Our strong first quarter results, which were driven by another
    strong quarter from our international C2C business, have put us on
    track to meet our business objectives for the year," said Western
    Union President and Chief Executive Officer Christina Gold. "These
    results reflect our ability to leverage our distribution network and
    world-class brand in serving the increasing consumer demand for
    Western Union services throughout the world."

    First Quarter Results

    Revenue was $1.3 billion, up 12%. Revenue included $33 million of
    benefit from currency translation of the euro.

    Operating income, which included $24 million of restructuring
    expenses, was $309 million up 2% (up 9% excluding the restructuring
    expenses) and operating income margin was 24.4% (26.3% excluding
    restructuring expenses) compared to 26.9% in last year´s first
    quarter. Net income was $207 million up 7%, and included a non-cash
    pre-tax $7 million derivative gain, which is expected to reverse later
    in the year. Net income excluding restructuring expenses grew 15%.

    Earnings per share were $0.27, an 8% increase over last year´s
    first quarter, or $0.29 up 16% excluding the restructuring expenses.
    The tax rate for the quarter was 29.2% compared to 31.5% in last
    year´s first quarter. The effective tax rate decreased primarily as a
    result of a higher proportion of foreign-derived profits, which are
    taxed at a lower rate compared to U.S.-derived profits.

    Consumer-to-Consumer

    Consumer-to-consumer revenue in the first quarter grew 14% to $1.1
    billion on transaction growth of 14%. Operating income grew 15% and
    operating income margin was strong at 25.9% compared to 25.8% in last
    year´s first quarter.

    In line with expectations, the domestic business had revenue and
    transaction declines of 8% and 3%, respectively. Pricing in the
    domestic business was stable in the first quarter.

    The growth in the C2C segment was driven by the international
    business where revenue and transactions each increased 19%. A subset
    of the international business, those transactions that originate
    outside of the United States, which total more than one-half of
    Western Union´s annual revenue, grew even faster, posting 28% revenue
    growth and 29% transaction growth.

    Fueling the continued strong international performance was
    significant first quarter revenue and transaction growth in India and
    China. In India, the world´s largest remittance receive market

    revenue growth was 52% with transaction growth of 65%. In China, the
    second largest receive market, revenue grew 35% from transaction
    growth of 22%. These two countries combined represent 6% of total
    Western Union revenue.

    The Mexico business continued to improve, and the company´s Mexico
    transaction growth rate continued to outpace the market, based on data
    released by Banco de Mexico. Revenue was up 1% and transactions were
    up 2%. Pricing within Mexico remained stable as evidenced by the
    tightening of the difference between revenue and transaction growth
    rates compared to prior quarters.

    Consumer-to-Business

    Consumer-to-business revenue represents 15% of Western Union´s
    revenue and increased 4% to $190 million. The revenue growth continues
    to be driven by strong demand for electronic bill payment services in
    the U.S. and by growth in the company´s Pago Facil business in
    Argentina.

    In the first quarter operating income was down 8% and operating
    margin was 29.6% compared to 33.4% in the first quarter of 2007.
    Impacting the year-over-year operating income growth and margin
    comparison are the faster-growing U.S. electronic bill payment
    services and the Pago Facil businesses, which have lower margins than
    the traditional U.S. cash bill payment business. The first quarter
    2008 operating income margin was consistent with the previous two
    quarters.

    New Services

    On the innovation front, Western Union, together with two
    partners, Smart Communications and Globe Telecom, will enter the
    market this quarter with its mobile money transfer service to the
    Philippines.

    Additionally, Western Union began its micro lending pilot in Hong
    Kong in the first quarter. Initial results from the pilot have
    affirmed the consumer demand for micro loans. The pilot has also
    demonstrated that Western Union customers will choose Western Union
    for the additional financial services they require.

    Agent Signings

    Western Union´s extensive network, well-known brand, financial
    strength and rigorous compliance efforts continue to attract
    outstanding agent partners. In the first quarter, Western Union added
    10,000 agent locations and renewed key agents to bring the agent
    location total to 345,000.

    In South Africa, Western Union will begin offering inbound and
    outbound money transfer services in the third quarter through its new
    agreement with ABSA, one of the country´s largest financial services
    organizations and a subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC.

    A leading bank in Poland and a member of UniCredit Group, Bank
    Pekao has joined the Western Union agent network. Previously, Bank
    Pekao offered money transfer from different providers which will be
    replaced during 2008 by the Western Union Money Transfer service. Bank
    Pekao operates 900 branches in Poland.

    Buyback

    During the first quarter, Western Union repurchased 14 million
    shares for $297 million at an average cost of $21.41 per share. The
    company is committed to returning capital to shareholders and has
    repurchased more than $1 billion of its stock since becoming a public
    company. As of March 31, 2008 there was $956 million remaining under
    its board-authorized repurchase plan.

    Restructuring Expenses

    During the quarter, Western Union incurred a total of $24 million
    in restructuring expenses. Of this total, $17 million is related to
    the company´s decision to close substantially all of its union
    operating facilities in Missouri and Texas and transition these
    operations to existing facilities outside the U.S. and to third-party
    providers as disclosed on March 20. The restructuring expenses related
    to this decision are expected to total approximately $60 million in
    2008.

    In separate actions taken in the first quarter, the company
    incurred $7 million in restructuring expenses related to the
    elimination or relocation of other positions. Of this total, $5
    million was previously disclosed and incurred in January, and an
    additional $2 million was incurred in February when additional
    cost-saving initiatives were identified. An additional $2 million of
    restructuring expenses will be recognized in the second quarter
    related to these initiatives.

    The company estimates that all first quarter restructuring
    initiatives will result in full-year restructuring expenses of $69
    million, and will deliver cost savings in 2008 of $10 million and more
    than $30 million in 2009 and beyond. Of the $24 million in
    restructuring expenses, $22 million was included in cost of services
    and $2 million was included in selling, general and administrative
    expense. The restructuring expenses were not included in the segments.

    Restructuring expenses include expenses related to severance

    outplacement and other employee related benefits; facility closure and
    migration of IT infrastructure; other expenses related to relocation
    of various operations to existing company facilities and third party
    providers, including hiring, training, relocation, travel, and
    professional fees; and increased security costs at the facilities
    being closed. Also, included in the facility closure expenses are
    non-cash expenses related to fixed asset and leasehold improvement
    write-offs and acceleration of depreciation and amortization.

    Outlook

    "The overall trajectory of our business, particularly that of our
    international C2C business, gives us the confidence that we will
    deliver on our 2008 financial objectives," said Gold.

    In 2008, the company continues to expect revenue growth of 9% to
    11%, cash flow from operations of $1.2 billion and strong operating
    margins consistent with 2007 excluding the 2008 restructuring
    expenses. Management expects that operating income margin excluding
    restructuring expenses will be stronger in the second half of 2008
    compared to the first half.

    Western Union expects non-GAAP earnings per share in the range of
    $1.25 to $1.29, which excludes the estimated $69 million ($0.06 per
    share) of full-year restructuring expenses and includes the $10
    million ($0.01 per share) in estimated savings. This represents growth
    of 11% to 14% over last year´s $1.13 in non-GAAP earnings per share.

    As a result of the 2008 restructuring expenses, the company now
    expects 2008 GAAP earnings per share to be in the range of $1.19 to
    $1.23 or 7% to 11% growth over last year´s GAAP earnings per share of
    $1.11. This range includes the impact from the estimated $69 million
    ($0.06 per share) of full-year restructuring expenses and the benefit
    from the estimated $10 million ($0.01 per share) in cost savings. The
    original GAAP earnings per share range included $5 million of
    restructuring expenses.

    Gold concluded, "We remain focused on growing profitably and have
    implemented important initiatives including the restructuring
    activities. These initiatives together with our ability to leverage
    our cost structure make us confident that we will deliver on our
    objective of margin expansion. Our goal is to achieve up to 50 basis
    points of margin improvement in 2009."

    Non-GAAP Measures

    Western Union´s management presents earnings per share excluding
    restructuring expenses, operating income growth and margin excluding
    restructuring expenses, net income growth excluding restructuring
    expenses, and 2008 earnings per share growth guidance excluding 2008
    restructuring expenses, and 2008 earnings per share guidance excluding
    2008 restructuring expenses compared to 2007 earnings per share
    excluding the accelerated non-cash stock compensation vesting charge

    which are non-GAAP measures, because management believes they provide
    more meaningful information.

    Reconciliations of non-GAAP to comparable GAAP measures are
    available in the accompanying schedules and in the "Investor
    Relations" section of the company´s web site at www.westernunion.com.

    Investor and Analyst Conference Call and Slide Presentation

    Western Union President and Chief Executive Officer Christina Gold
    will host a conference call and webcast including slides, at 8:30 a.m.
    Eastern Time today. Joining Christina on the conference call will be
    Scott Scheirman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
    To listen to the conference call live via telephone, dial 888-680-0860
    (U.S.) or +1-617-213-4852 (outside the U.S.) ten minutes prior to the
    start of the call. The pass code is 16584385.

    The conference call and accompanying slides will be available via
    webcast at http://ir.westernunion.com/investor . Registration for the
    event is required, so please allow at least five minutes to register
    prior to the scheduled start time.

    A replay of the call will be available one hour after the call
    ends through April 29, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 888-286-8010
    (U.S.) or +1-617-801-6888 (outside the U.S.). The pass code is
    36216887. A webcast replay will be available at
    http://ir.westernunion.com/investor for the same time period.

    Please note: All statements made by Western Union officers on this
    call are the property of Western Union and subject to copyright
    protection. Other than the replay, Western Union has not authorized

    and disclaims responsibility for, any recording, replay or
    distribution of any transcription of this call.

    Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain statements that are
    forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities
    Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of
    future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and
    assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results
    may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our
    forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects," "intends,"
    "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "guides," "provides guidance"
    and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as
    "will," "should," "would" and "could" are intended to identify such
    forward-looking statements. Readers of this press release by The
    Western Union Company (the "Company," "Western Union," "we," "our" or
    "us") should not rely solely on the forward-looking statements and
    should consider all uncertainties and risks discussed under "Risk
    Factors" included within the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
    ended December 31, 2007. The statements are only as of the date they
    are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any
    forward-looking statement.

    Possible events or factors that could cause results or performance
    to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking
    statements include the following: changes in general economic
    conditions and economic conditions in the geographic regions and
    industries in which we operate; changes in immigration laws, patterns
    and other factors related to immigrants; technological changes

    particularly with respect to e-commerce; the failure by us, our agents
    or subagents to comply with our business and technology standards and
    contract requirements or applicable laws and regulations, especially
    laws designed to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing; our
    ability to attract and retain qualified key employees and to
    successfully manage our workforce; changes in foreign exchange rates

    including the impact of the regulation of foreign exchange spreads on
    money transfers; adverse movements and volatility in debt and equity
    capital markets; political conditions and related actions by the
    United States and abroad which may adversely affect our businesses and
    economic conditions as a whole; failure to maintain sufficient amount
    or types of regulatory capital to meet the changing requirements of
    our various regulators worldwide; continued growth in the money
    transfer market and other markets in which we operate at rates
    approximating recent levels; implementation of agent contracts
    according to schedule; our ability to maintain our agent network and
    biller relationships under terms consistent with those currently in
    place; interruptions of United States government relations with
    countries in which we have or are implementing material agent
    contracts; deterioration in consumers´ and clients´ confidence in our
    business, or in money transfer providers generally; successfully
    managing credit and fraud risks presented by our agents and consumers;
    adverse rating actions by credit rating agencies; liabilities and
    unanticipated developments resulting from litigation and regulatory
    investigations and similar matters, including costs, expenses

    settlements and judgments; changes in United States or foreign laws

    rules and regulations including the Internal Revenue Code, and
    governmental or judicial interpretations thereof; our ability to
    favorably resolve tax matters with the Internal Revenue Service and
    other tax jurisdictions; changes in industry standards affecting our
    business; changes in accounting standards, rules and interpretations;
    competing effectively in the money transfer industry with respect to
    global and niche or corridor money transfer providers, banks and other
    nonbank money transfer services providers, including
    telecommunications providers, card associations and card-based
    payments providers; our ability to grow our core businesses; our
    ability to develop and introduce new products, services and
    enhancements, and gain market acceptance of such products; our ability
    to protect our brands and our other intellectual property rights;
    successfully managing the potential both for patent protection and
    patent liability in the context of a rapidly developing legal
    framework for intellectual property protection; any material breach of
    security of or interruptions in any of our systems; mergers

    acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses and technologies
    into our company and the realization of anticipated synergies from
    these acquisitions; adverse consequences from our spin-off from First
    Data Corporation, including resolution of certain ongoing matters;
    decisions to downsize, sell or close units, or to transition operating
    activities from one location to another or to third parties

    particularly transitions from the United States to other countries;
    decisions to change the business mix; cessation of various services
    provided to us by third-party vendors; catastrophic events; and
    management´s ability to identify and manage these and other risks.

    About Western Union

    The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global money
    transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta and
    Vigo, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and
    convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as
    send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a network
    of more than 345,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and
    territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the
    original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit
    www.westernunion.com.

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    THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

    (in millions, except per share amounts)

    (unaudited)

    Three Months Ended

    March 31

    -------------------------

    2008

    2007

    Change

    --------- -------- ------
    Revenues:

    Transaction fees

    $1,020.8

    $930.1

    10%

    Foreign exchange revenue

    210.0

    166.6

    26%

    Commission and other revenues

    35.1

    34.3

    2%

    --------- --------
    Total revenues

    1,265.9 1,131.0

    12%

    Expenses:

    Cost of services (a)

    758.6

    645.6

    17%

    Selling, general and administrative (a)

    198.0

    180.8

    10%

    --------- --------
    Total expenses

    956.6

    826.4

    16%

    Operating income

    309.3

    304.6

    2%

    Other income/(expense):
    Interest income

    17.7

    19.5

    -9%
    Interest expense

    (45.0)

    (48.0)

    -6%
    Derivative gains, net

    6.8

    1.7

    (b)
    Other income, net

    3.7

    4.3

    -14%

    --------- --------
    Total other expense, net

    (16.8)

    (22.5)

    -25%

    --------- --------

    Income before income taxes

    292.5

    282.1

    4%
    Provision for income taxes

    85.4

    88.9

    -4%

    --------- --------

    Net income

    $207.1

    $193.2

    7%

    ========= ========

    Earnings per share:
    Basic

    $0.28

    $0.25

    12%
    Diluted

    $0.27

    $0.25

    8%

    Weighted-average shares outstanding:
    Basic

    746.7

    768.2
    Diluted

    756.8

    783.3

    _______
    (a) Cost of services and selling, general and administrative expenses

    include $22.4 million and $1.8 million in estimated restructuring and

    related expenses, respectively. Such restructuring and related

    expenses impacted earnings per share by $0.02.

    (b) Calculation not meaningful
    *T

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    THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

    (in millions, except per share amounts)

    (unaudited)

    March 31

    December 31

    2008

    2007

    ---------- ------------
    Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents

    $1,895.4

    $1,793.1
    Settlement assets

    1,382.4

    1,319.2
    Property and equipment, net of accumulated

    depreciation of $265.7 and $251.5

    respectively

    197.8

    200.3
    Goodwill

    1,639.2

    1,639.5
    Other intangible assets, net of accumulated

    amortization of $236.0 and $236.8

    respectively

    327.8

    334.1
    Other assets

    530.2

    498.0

    ---------- ------------
    Total assets

    $5,972.8

    $5,784.2

    ========== ============

    Liabilities and Stockholders´ Equity
    Liabilities:

    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    $387.5

    $350.1

    Settlement obligations

    1,382.4

    1,319.2

    Income tax payable

    337.6

    279.7

    Deferred tax liability, net

    266.0

    263.6

    Borrowings

    3,379.3

    3,338.0

    Other liabilities

    212.6

    182.9

    ---------- ------------
    Total liabilities

    5,965.4

    5,733.5

    Stockholders´ Equity:

    Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 10 shares

    authorized; no shares issued

    -

    -

    Common stock, $0.01 par value; 2,000 shares

    authorized; 740.0 shares and 749.8 shares

    issued, respectively

    7.4

    7.5

    Capital deficiency

    (271.9)

    (341.1)

    Retained earnings

    363.0

    453.1

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (91.1)

    (68.8)

    ---------- ------------

    Total Stockholders´ Equity

    7.4

    50.7

    ---------- ------------
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders´ Equity

    $5,972.8

    $5,784.2

    ========== ============
    *T

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    THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

    (in millions)

    (unaudited)

    Three Months Ended

    March 31

    -------------------

    2008

    2007

    --------- ---------

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    Net income

    $207.1

    $193.2

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

    provided by operating activities:

    Depreciation and amortization

    32.8

    30.4

    Stock compensation expense

    7.7

    8.8

    Other non-cash items, net

    4.2

    3.7

    Increase (decrease) in cash, resulting from

    changes in:

    Other assets

    (28.1)

    27.9

    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    36.4

    21.4

    Income tax payable

    58.1

    8.2

    Other liabilities

    (0.2)

    (6.5)

    --------- ---------
    Net cash provided by operating activities

    318.0

    287.1

    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    Capitalization of contract costs

    (7.1)

    (4.4)
    Capitalization of purchased and developed software

    (5.6)

    (7.6)
    Purchases of property and equipment

    (10.8)

    (25.9)
    Notes receivable issued to agents

    (0.3)

    (5.6)
    Repayments of notes receivable issued to agents

    5.5

    4.8

    --------- ---------
    Net cash used in investing activities

    (18.3)

    (38.7)

    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    Net repayments of commercial paper

    (11.3)

    (42.7)
    Net proceeds from/(repayments of) borrowings under

    credit facilities

    49.8

    (2.0)
    Proceeds from exercise of options

    61.5

    48.2
    Common stock repurchased

    (297.4)

    (112.6)

    --------- ---------
    Net cash used in financing activities

    (197.4)

    (109.1)

    Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    102.3

    139.3
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    1,793.1

    1,421.7

    --------- ---------
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

    $1,895.4 $1,561.0

    ========= =========
    *T

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    THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY

    SUMMARY SEGMENT DATA

    (in millions)

    (unaudited)

    Three Months Ended

    March 31

    ----------------------------

    2008

    2007

    Change

    --------- --------- --------
    Revenues:

    Consumer-to-Consumer:

    Transaction fees

    $834.6

    $751.2

    11%

    Foreign exchange revenue

    209.3

    166.3

    26%

    Other revenues

    9.9

    8.8

    12%

    --------- ---------

    Total Consumer-to-Consumer:

    1,053.8

    926.3

    14%

    Consumer-to-Business:

    Transaction fees

    176.6

    168.8

    5%

    Other revenues

    13.2

    13.4

    -1%

    --------- ---------

    Total Consumer-to-Business:

    189.8

    182.2

    4%

    Other:

    Revenue

    22.3

    22.5

    -1%

    --------- ---------

    Total Other:

    22.3

    22.5

    -1%

    --------- ---------
    Total consolidated revenues

    $1,265.9 $1,131.0

    12%

    ========= =========

    Operating income:

    Consumer-to-Consumer

    $273.3

    $238.7

    15%

    Consumer-to-Business

    56.2

    60.9

    -8%

    Other

    4.0

    5.0

    -20%

    --------- ---------
    Total segment operating income

    $333.5

    $304.6

    9%
    Restructuring and related expenses

    (24.2)

    -

    (a)

    --------- ---------
    Total consolidated operating income

    $309.3

    $304.6

    2%

    ========= =========

    Operating income margin:

    Consumer-to-Consumer

    25.9%

    25.8%

    10 bp

    Consumer-to-Business

    29.6%

    33.4% (380) bp
    Other

    17.9%

    22.2% (430) bp
    Total consolidated operating income

    margin

    24.4%

    26.9% (250) bp

    Depreciation and Amortization:

    Consumer-to-Consumer

    $26.1

    $23.4

    12%

    Consumer-to-Business

    5.1

    6.2

    -18%

    Other

    1.1

    0.8

    38%

    --------- ---------
    Total segment depreciation and

    amortization

    $32.3

    $30.4

    6%
    Restructuring and related expenses

    0.5

    -

    (a)

    --------- ---------
    Total consolidated depreciation and

    amortization

    $32.8

    $30.4

    8%

    ========= =========
    _______
    (a) Calculation not meaningful
    *T

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    THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY

    KEY INDICATORS

    (in millions)

    (Unaudited)

    Three Months Ended

    March 31

    ----------------------

    2008

    2007 Change

    -------- ------ ------

    Transactions

    Consumer-to-Consumer

    43.1

    37.8

    14%

    Consumer-to-Business

    103.5 100.4

    3%

    Revenue

    Consumer-to-Consumer

    $1,053.8 $926.3

    14%

    Consumer-to-Business

    $189.8 $182.2

    4%

    Three Months Ended

    March 31, 2008

    ----------------------

    Consumer-to-Consumer Transaction Growth

    International (a)

    19%

    Domestic (b)

    -3%

    Mexico (c)

    2%

    Consumer-to-Consumer

    14%

    Consumer-to-Consumer Revenue Growth

    International (a)

    19%

    Domestic (b)

    -8%

    Mexico (c)

    1%

    Consumer-to-Consumer

    14%

    (a)Represents transactions between and within foreign countries

    (excluding Canada and Mexico), transactions originated in the

    United States or Canada and paid elsewhere, and transactions

    originated outside the United States or Canada and paid in the

    United States or Canada. Excludes all transactions between or

    within the United States and Canada and all transactions to and

    from Mexico as reflected in (b) and (c) below.

    (b)Represents all transactions between and within the United States

    and Canada.

    (c)Represents all transactions to and from Mexico.
    *T

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    THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY

    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

    (in millions)

    (unaudited)

    Western Union´s management has presented earnings per share, net

    income and earnings per share growth, and Western Union´s 2008

    earnings per share guidance, excluding restructuring and related

    expenses. In addition, Western Union´s management has presented

    operating income margin and operating income growth, excluding

    restructuring and related expenses. In presenting Western Union´s

    2008 earnings per share growth guidance excluding restructuring and

    related expenses, Western Union´s management has excluded from the

    Company´s 2007 earnings per share, the accelerated non-cash SFAS No.

    123R accounting for stock-based compensation charge, resulting from

    the acquisition of First Data by an affiliate of Kohlberg, Kravis

    Roberts & Co. ("KKR") in the third quarter of 2007. Western Union´s

    management believes these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful

    supplemental information regarding our operating results to assist

    management, investors, analysts, and others in understanding our

    financial results and to better analyze trends in our underlying

    business, because they provide consistency and comparability to prior

    periods.

    A non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation or

    as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP financial measure. A

    non-GAAP financial measure reflects an additional way of viewing

    aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results and

    the reconciliation to the corresponding GAAP financial measure

    provide a more complete understanding of our business. Users of the

    financial statements are encouraged to review our financial

    statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to

    rely on any single financial measure. A reconciliation of non-GAAP

    measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is

    included below.

    Three Months Ended

    March 31

    --------------------

    2008

    2007

    ---------- ---------

    Net income as reported (GAAP)

    $207.1

    $193.2

    Adjustment:

    Restructuring and related expenses, net of

    income tax benefit of $9.1 million (a)

    15.1

    -

    ---------- ---------

    Net income adjusted

    $222.2

    $193.2

    ========== =========

    Earnings per share ("EPS"):

    As reported (GAAP)

    $0.27

    $0.25

    Restructuring and related expenses (a)

    0.02

    -

    ---------- ---------

    Adjusted

    $0.29

    $0.25

    ========== =========

    Growth:

    Net income, as reported (GAAP)

    7%

    Net income, adjusted

    15%

    EPS, as reported (GAAP)

    8%

    EPS, adjusted

    16%
    _______
    Refer to footnote explanations at the end of this "Reconciliation of

    Non-GAAP Measures" section.
    *T

    -0-
    *T

    THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY

    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

    (in millions)

    (unaudited)

    Three Months Ended

    March 31

    ------------------

    2008

    2007

    --------- --------

    Revenues

    $1,265.9 $1,131.0

    ========= ========

    Operating income as reported (GAAP)

    $309.3

    $304.6

    Adjustment:

    Restructuring and related expenses (a)

    24.2

    -

    --------- --------

    Operating income adjusted

    $333.5

    $304.6

    ========= ========

    Operating income growth, as reported (GAAP)

    2%
    Operating income growth, adjusted

    9%

    Operating income margin, as reported (GAAP)

    24.4%
    Operating income margin, adjusted

    26.3%

    -----------
    Refer to footnote explanations at the end of this "Reconciliation of

    Non-GAAP Measures" section.
    *T

    -0-
    *T

    THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY

    RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

    (in millions)

    (unaudited)

    EPS Guidance

    Range

    -------------

    2008 EPS Guidance GAAP basis

    $1.19 $1.23

    Adjustment:

    Estimated restructuring and related expenses, net of

    income tax benefit (a), (b)

    0.06

    0.06

    ------ ------
    Adjusted 2008 EPS Guidance, excluding estimated

    restructuring and related expenses

    $1.25 $1.29

    ====== ======

    2007 EPS as reported (GAAP)

    $1.11 $1.11

    Adjustment:

    Accelerated non-cash stock compensation vesting charge

    net of income tax benefit (c)

    0.02

    0.02

    ------ ------
    Adjusted 2007 EPS

    $1.13 $1.13

    ====== ======

    Earnings per share growth:

    2008 EPS guidance (GAAP) compared to 2007 EPS as

    reported (GAAP)

    7%

    11%

    Non-GAAP EPS guidance, excluding estimated 2008

    restructuring and related expenses, compared to

    adjusted 2007 EPS, excluding accelerated non-cash stock

    compensation vesting charge

    11%

    14%

    (a) Restructuring and related expenses incurred in the three months

    ended March 31, 2008 include $24.2 million of expenses and an

    estimated $69 million of expenses for 2008. These expenses relate to

    severance, outplacement and other employee related benefits; facility

    closure and migration of our IT infrastructure; other expenses

    related to relocation of various operations to existing Company

    facilities and third party providers, including hiring, training

    relocation, travel, and professional fees; and increased security

    costs at the facilities being closed. Also, included in the facility

    closure expenses are non-cash expenses related to fixed asset and

    leasehold improvement write-offs and acceleration of depreciation and

    amortization. The restructuring and related expenses are included in

    cost of services and selling, general and administrative expense

    lines of the income statement, and are not allocated to the segments.

    (b) Represents estimated 2008 restructuring and related expenses of

    $69 million. For purposes of calculating the "Adjusted 2008 EPS

    guidance, excluding estimated restructuring and related expenses,"

    the EPS impact of $0.06 is net of an estimated income tax benefit of

    $26 million.

    (c) In the third quarter of 2007, the Company recognized a $22 million

    or a $0.02 per share non-cash charge in accordance with SFAS No. 123R

    accounting for stock-based compensation resulting from the previously

    announced acceleration of vesting in Western Union stock options and

    awards granted to current Western Union employees prior to the spin-

    off from First Data. Under the terms of the plan, vesting was

    accelerated for these options and awards as a result of the change of

    control that occurred when an affiliate of KKR acquired First Data

    Western Union´s former parent company, on September 24, 2007.
    *T

    WU-G, WU-F