Consumers making Western Union transactions at kiosks in over 7,600 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide also have the ability to utilize the Apple Pay service. 

“Innovative payment options are a strategic focus for Western Union, and starting to accept Apple Pay is in keeping with the company’s blueprint for the future,” said Odilon Almeida, Western Union President, Americas and European Union. “Our customers’ needs and preferences are top of mind,” he added. 

Western Union analysis shows that international money transfer senders, particularly recent immigrants, are as mobile-savvy and digitally motivated as the general population with nearly six out of 10 migrants owning a smartphone, moving it from a luxury device to an irreplaceable everyday necessity. Over two thirds of migrant international money transfer senders and more than 80 percent of non-migrant international money transfer senders own a smartphone. 

“Our customers have an expectation of using mobile technology to make money transfer service and product accessibility easier. Western Union is rising to the occasion as we harness our system with modifications to link cash and digital transfers between retail locations, mobile phones, prepaid cards, online and traditional bank accounts and ATMs,” said David Thompson, Executive Vice President, Global Operations and Technology and Chief Information Officer. 

Launched at Western Union’s flagship 1440 Broadway in New York City—with more participating Western Union Agent locations to follow—customers will be able to use their iPhone 6 to fund a Western Union Money Transfer® transaction or bill payment. 

To use this service, customers must register their debit card on their device and ensure their bank is a participating partner of the Apple Pay service. They can then make a payment simply by holding their phone near the contactless reader with their finger on Touch ID. Consumers’ debit card numbers are not transmitted in payment, nor are they shared with the Western Union Agent.