MEXICO: MoneyGram and Visa Extend Remittance Service to World’s Largest Remittances Corridor

MoneyGram International (NYSE:MGI), a leading money transfer services company, and Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) announced today the launch of MoneyGram’s first cash-to-Visa account program for remittances from the United States to Mexico.

The program, which is built off of the success of MoneyGram’s cash-to-Visa service in Guatemala, allows consumers to visit any of the 35,000 MoneyGram locations in the U.S. to quickly and reliably send funds directly to eligible Visa accounts in Mexico. Recipients in Mexico receive the funds directly to their Visa credit, debit, or prepaid accounts, giving them convenient access to their funds through Visa’s global network of millions of merchant acceptance locations and ATMs.

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MoneyGram makes transfer deal with Abu Dhabi bank

MoneyGram International Inc. said Thursday it has signed a deal with National Bank of Abu Dhabi for international money transfer services via mobile phones.

The deal makes the money transfer capability available to the bank's customers throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

The World Bank has recently estimated remittances from the UAE to be between $15 billion and $20 billion in 2009 with potential to continue growing in the coming years. In addition, the UAE has one of the highest mobile phone penetration rates in the world, MoneyGram said.

Shares of MoneyGram rose 3 cents to close at $2.62.

MoneyGram International Adds Croatia to its Global Money Transfer Network

MINNEAPOLIS, Apr 28, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- MoneyGram International /quotes/comstock/13*!mgi/quotes/nls/mgi (MGI 3.30, -0.05, -1.46%) , a leading global money transfer company, announced its return to Croatia today as Volksbank added MoneyGram's services to 28 countrywide locations. MoneyGram's return to Croatia follows MoneyGram's alliance with Volksbank in Serbia in 2008 and the opening of 33 MoneyGram-owned retail locations in Germany since 2006.

"MoneyGram is pleased to be back in Croatia with Volksbank, providing the country's 4.5 million people a new choice and a better value for money transfer services," said Massimo Canovi, MoneyGram International's senior regional director for Southern Europe and the Balkans. "Volksbank is a leading financial institution across Southeastern Europe and has been a valued MoneyGram agent in Serbia since 2008. The Volksbank locations are available today to assist Croatians with their money transfer needs." Read more