DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payments services serving customers in 200 countries and territories, announced today its multi-year economic and philanthropic commitment to the Denver community.

The company has been a long-standing member of the Denver community, and announced today it will: move its global headquarters to a new, highly-visible location in Denver; provide an infusion of $1 million in contributions to local non-profits and other NGOs; and shift many of its most prominent meetings and gatherings from New York to Denver. All told, the Fortune 500 company estimates making a long-term economic investment to the region of more than $300 million over the next decade.

“Denver is a dynamic, global city – and it will be the centerpiece of our worldwide operations for decades to come. With the central location and amazing people drawn here because of economic opportunity and quality of life, this region is an ideal match for our global company,” said Western Union President and CEO Hikmet Ersek. “We’re proud to say that we’re here to stay, and we’re investing in the community and people.”

Western Union announced in August that it would be the first corporate jersey sponsor of NBA team the Denver Nuggets for the next three years, and is also a sponsor of the Colorado Rapids—further establishing Western Union’s hometown commitment.

"Colorado is proud that Western Union is maintaining its headquarters in Colorado and reaffirming the Company's commitment to the community,” said Governor John Hickenlooper. “Western Union is so much more than a business, as leaders and employees contribute to our communities beyond the services they provide.”

To highlight the company’s hometown connection, employees from Western Union gathered today with government officials and non-profit organizations, outside the company’s future headquarters at One Belleview Station in Denver. The company announced the move to the building in Denver, located at 7001 E Belleview Ave.

During the event, Western Union announced a $1 million funding pledge for community programs throughout the city. The money will be distributed over a one-year period, to local non-profits and NGOs such as Denver Public Schools Foundation, Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain, Emily Griffith Technical College, and Mi Casa Resource Center.

“Western Union has stepped up to help make Denver a world class city where everyone matters,” said Denver Mayor, Michael B. Hancock. “I believe this partnership will be a long and productive one that will benefit the people of Denver. Welcome home to stay – right here in the Mile High City.”

Following the morning presentation, several hundred Western Union employees participated in a day of community service, volunteering with local organizations at 16 projects throughout the city. More than 80 percent of all Western Union employees contributed to the Western Union Foundation last year, considered one of the highest levels of employee support for any Fortune 500 company.

The company also announced its intention to make space available in its new global headquarters for local non-profits and NGOs to host community gatherings starting in 2018. More details will be provided once the company moves into its new location next year.

Western Union in Denver:

• Western Union is one of Denver’s top employers, with more than 1,300 employees, a diverse and flexible work environment and a robust benefit package. It is a Fortune 500 company and Colorado’s eighth-largest business by revenue.
• The company will be moving its headquarters from Englewood to Denver in mid-2018.
• The Western Union Foundation has provided nearly $8 million in grants to 340 non-profits in Denver since its inception in 2001.
• Through its office relocation, the company will shift prominent meetings from New York to Denver.

Western Union is a leader in global payments, with more than 550,000 retail locations in over 200 countries and territories. With a digital presence in more than 40 countries and the ability to send funds into billions of bank accounts, Western Union is a digital-and-physical gateway for money movement. More than 50,000 customers used a Western Union agent location in the Denver region last year, sending nearly $50 million to friends and family in 180 countries.

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, 2017, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of over 550,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 150,000 ATMs and kiosks, and included the capability to send money to billions of accounts. In 2016, The Western Union Company completed 268 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $80 billion of principal between consumers, and 523 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About the Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation believes that education is one of the surest pathways to economic opportunity. Through collaborations with NGOs around the world, the Foundation has embarked on a five-year mission to equip 50,000 migrants and refugees – with a focus on women and young people – with the skills they need to thrive in the global economy by 2020. The Foundation also partners with The Western Union Company to rapidly respond to communities in crisis with humanitarian relief. To date, more than $113 million has been given to fund projects affecting more than 800,000 people in 137 countries across the globe. The Western Union Foundation is a separate charitable corporation that is tax-exempt under §501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code, contributions to which are tax-deductible for US income tax purposes, and receives support from The Western Union Company, its employees, agents and business partners. To learn more, visit https://www.westernunion.com/blog/foundation/ or follow on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.

WU-G

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171005005726/en/