Press release -
Post Office and Western Union money transfer service now available in 2,600 branches
- Post Office and Western Union first announced their partnership last year, committing to 4,000 branches offering cross-border, cross-currency money transfers and payment services.
- As of 6February 2023, Western Union money transfer service has now gone live in over 2,600 Post Office locations nationally
- Previously Western Union customers could only use the Post Office website. The new in-branch service will reach 4,000 Post Offices, doubling Western Union’s entire UK retail network and giving Postmasters increased footfall and customers additional services and choice.
- The partnership enhances access to Western Union’s global financial network through UK Post Office locations
- This is a demonstration of Post Office’s strategy to work with leading, global brands to support today’s Postmasters and identify additional remuneration opportunities.
Post Office and Western Union have today announced that their partnership has now gone live in over 2,600 Post Offices, offering cross-border, cross-currency money transfers from Western Union for the first time.
At the end of the roll out the new in-branch service will drive footfall to 4,000 Post Offices whilst doubling Western Union’s UK retail network. Previously, Western Union customers could only use the Post Office website for money transfer services.
Post Office’s expansion in its partnership with Western Union is a demonstration of Post Office’s strategy to work with leading global brands to support today’s Postmasters and identify additional remuneration opportunities.
Post Office operates the UK’s largest retail network with 11,500 branches across the UK. In many communities it is the last counter in town where people can securely and conveniently deposit and withdraw cash. Post Office offers people, especially those who are newly arrived in the UK, with a one-stop experience where they can access their cash, transfer money overseas to loved ones and at the same time send letters and parcels to relatives and friends abroad.
Nick Read, Post Office Chief Executive, said:
“I am delighted that Western Union services are rolling out across our network, allowing customers to choose whether they want to use the money transfer service face-to-face or prefer to continue doing so via our website. Postmasters are knowledgeable, reliable and can provide the assurance that a transaction has gone through successfully, with a printed receipt which many of our customers still value. Furthermore, this expanded partnership helps drive footfall into over 2,600 locations today and in the near future to a further 1,400 branches, providing postmasters with increased remuneration opportunities.”
Devin McGranahan, Western Union President and CEO, said:
“Today, marks an important milestone in Western Union’s partnership with the UK Post Office. This is a collaboration that will allow thousands of consumers in the United Kingdom to connect seamlessly to families and loved ones, wherever they may be, and to the global economy, through one of the world’s largest financial networks.
“At Western Union we work tirelessly to deliver on our purpose: offer the world’s aspiring populations accessible financial services. At the same time, while we improve access, we continue to invest in offering our customers in the UK, and globally, a true omni-channel experience, across both our retail and digital channels. Our customers need and demand flexibility and trust. We strive to give them both.”
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About the Post Office
- With over 11,500 branches, Post Office has the biggest retail network in the UK, with more branches than all the banks and building societies combined.
- Post Office is helping anyone who wants cash to get it whichever way is most convenient. Partnership with over 30 banks, building societies and credit unions means that 99% of UK bank customers can access their accounts at their Post Office.
- Cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries can be made securely and conveniently over the counter at any Post Office; and the biggest investment by any organisation or company in the last decade is being made to safeguard 1,400 free-to-use ATMs across the UK.
- Post Office is simplifying its proposition for Postmasters with a focus on itscash and banking; mails and parcels; foreign exchange; andbill paymentsservices.
- Researchhas found that visits to the Post Office help drive another 400 million visitors to other shops, restaurants and local businesses equating to an estimated £1.1 billion in additional revenue for High Street businesses.
- 99.7% of the population live within three miles of a Post Office; and 4,000 branches are open seven days a week.
