The Western Union Company, a leader in global payment services, today announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Hikmet Ersek has received the ‘Austrian of the Year’ award from leading Austrian newspaper, Die Presse. Mr. Ersek was presented the award in the ‘International Success’ category at the publication’s annual awards gala, which took place on Monday, October 24 at the Sofiensäle in Vienna.

The award recognizes Mr. Ersek’s achievements in international business, his commitment to corporate responsibility and global education, as well as his role in promoting the positive economic, social and cultural benefits of international migration.

“It is an honour to receive such a prestigious award,” said Mr. Ersek. “Many internationally renowned Austrians have won this accolade, I am humbled and privileged to be in such esteemed company.”

“At Western Union, we recognize the importance of playing an active role within the international community to promote a world without borders,” he added. “As a leader in cross-border payments, we see the economic, cultural and societal benefits international migration brings every day throughout the world.”

“We are proud to see an Austrian leading such an impactful global company,” said Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Sebastian Kurz. “I would like to personally congratulate Mr. Ersek on this achievement. It is encouraging to see how Western Union is transforming and innovating to meet the changing needs of our fast-paced society.”

Prior to becoming CEO in 2010, Ersek served as the company’s chief operating officer. He joined Western Union in September 1999, and held several senior international roles of increasing responsibility within the company, helping lead the global expansion of the company.

Western Union has a 165-year tradition of innovation, resilience and disruption in the industry it operates, helping consumers and businesses thrive in today’s borderless world. In 2015, it moved USD$150 billion across the globe for 150 million consumers and 100,000 businesses, and currently processes an average of 31 transactions per second.

Over the last 10 years, the company’s presence has expanded in more than 200 countries and territories. It has 204 regulatory international licenses, more than 500,000 retail locations, an online presence in 37 countries, and the ability to pay funds into more than one billion accounts globally.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of June 30, 2016, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 100,000 ATMs and kiosks, and included the capability to send money to billions of accounts. In 2015, The Western Union Company completed 262 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $82 billion of principal between consumers, and 508 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About Die Presse

Founded in 1848, Die Presse is an Austrian daily newspaper covering a wide range of news topics. Published in Vienna, it is one of Europe’s outstanding journals. The newspaper emphasises quality, balanced reporting and commentary and the modern Die Presse takes a liberal view of some issues and a conservative view of others. The paper has an average circulation of 93,753 copies from Monday to Friday, 111,381 copies on Saturdays and 129,881 copies on Sundays. It is an active supporter of freedom of the press. For more information, visit www.diepresse.com.