Contact: Beryl Opondo
Phone: 303-716-6765
nchang@moneygram.com
MoneyGram and UBA open first dedicated MoneyGram location in Nigeria
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, May 23, 2006 � MoneyGram International announced today the opening of a dedicated service center in Lagos Ikeja, Nigeria, through an agreement with United Bank of Africa (UBA). The MoneyGram-dedicated service center will provide Nigerians with the U.S. dollar payout option.
The agreement between UBA and MoneyGram will also provide MoneyGram� money transfer service at all of UBA�s 428 branches throughout Nigeria. To assist customers who wish to contact the bank, UBA has developed a Customer Interactive Centre; the first of its kind in Nigeria�s banking industry.
�We are delighted to partner with UBA in Nigeria to bring safe, fast and reliable MoneyGram money transfers to Nigerians, through our extensive network,� said John Hempsey, CEO of MoneyGram International Ltd. �This dedicated location represents what MoneyGram is all about � convenient money transfer locations where our customers can receive their money.�
�The opening of the dedicated center reflects the improved UBA service for our MoneyGram customers, not only in Lagos, but in all of our 428 branches countrywide,� said Chika Mordi, executive director of retail banking, UBA. �In addition, MoneyGram customers will be able to receive their money in U.S. dollars at UBA.�
About MoneyGram
MoneyGram is a leading global payment services company whose mission is to provide consumers with affordable, reliable and convenient payment services, including money transfer service. MoneyGram has been in business since 1940, with its headquarters located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. MoneyGram�s international money transfer service allows consumers to safely send money around the world in as little as 10 minutes (subject to agent availability and hours of operation). The global network is comprised of approximately 92,000 MoneyGram money transfer agent locations in 170 countries and territories. The convenient and reliable network includes retailers, international post offices and financial institutions. For more information, please visit the company�s Web site at www.moneygram.com
About UBA Group
United Bank of Africa (UBA Group) is the product of a merger between Nigeria�s third and fifth largest banks, UBA and Standard Trust Bank Plc respectively, and Continental Trust Bank. The union was the first successful merger transaction in the history of the Nigerian banking sector. Today, the consolidated UBA is the largest financial services institution in West Africa with a balance sheet size in excess of $600 billion Naira and more than $5 million customer accounts. It has 428 business offices across Nigeria, as well as a presence in New York, Cayman Island and Ghana (where it has five business offices). For more information, visit the company�s Web site at www.ubagroup.com
