Available online, via mobile devices, and through agents.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: Western Union, one of the most popular services used to send money from one country to another, has launched an innovative and simple new way to send money abroad, specifically to India.
Through the use of the Western Union website, a branch location, or even a smartphone mobile app, money can be wired from a Western Union account directly to any participating bank account in India, including non-resident accounts, according to a press release issued by the company.
The transfer will be fast, generally within one bank business day. The only pieces of information needed to transfer money are the recipient bank’s name, account number, and the Indian Financial System Code (ISFC).
However, the direct-to-bank service to India is not available in Arizona and parts of California, New Mexico and Texas.
“This launch is another example of evolving our business to offer customers more choice and it’s a win-win for both senders and receivers,†said Western Union Executive Vice-President Diana Scott in a statement, announcing the launch of the new transfer service. “People in the U.S. can pick the channel that’s most convenient for them—online or retail—and their friends and family in India have peace of mind that the money is deposited directly into their bank account.â€
The company is celebrating this launch by offering introductory pricing, with eligible customers in the US not having to pay any transfer fee when they use the company’s website and its smartphone application, while a $5 fee would apply to transactions up to $1,000, when wiring money through participating Agent locations.
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com