Western Union Expands Integration With Visa Direct

Western Union is expanding its integration with Visa’s real-time money movement network Visa Direct to enable Western Union customers in the U.S. to send funds in near real time to eligible Visa debit cards in Colombia, El Salvador, Jamaica, the Philippines, Romania and Thailand.

The move updates Western Union’s current partnership with Visa and adds Visa Direct to Western Union’s U.S. network, according to a press release Tuesday (Aug. 9). 

Western Union and Visa Direct initially launched their integration across Europe in over 20 countries, enabling the transfer of funds to eligible Visa debit card holders. Funds can be transferred using WU.com, the Western Union app or from many of Western Union’s U.S. retail locations, per the release.

See also: Western Union Signals Grand Neobank Ambitions With Marqeta Pact

“Western Union and Visa share a vision for modern money movement, one that ensures cross-border payments are reliable, efficient and transparent, with convenience and the customer’s channel of choice at the center of our customer experience,” said Gabriella Fitzgerald, president of the Americas region, Western Union. 

“Our partnership with Visa underscores the benefits that collaboration brings to realizing this shared vision for our joint customers around the globe,” Fitzgerald added.

Western Union is among the global leaders in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, connecting consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments, according to the release. Its network bridges more than 200 countries and territories and an estimated 130 currencies. 

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Additionally, Visa Direct allows secure real-time funds delivery directly to financial accounts using card credentials through a single point of access.

“Visa is transforming cross-border payments with Visa Direct by helping to bring the ability to securely send and receive funds in near-real-time to more use cases around the world,” said Yanilsa Gonzalez-Ore, senior vice president, North America head, Visa Direct. 

“Through this partnership, we are using Western Union’s digital capabilities to help US customers send money to their family and friends and provide a means to help with bills, as a gift, or for an emergency,” Gonzalez-Ore added.