MoneyGram International (MGI 3.35, +0.05, +1.52%), a leading global money transfer company, today announced the expansion of its mobile transfer service to approximately 40,000 agent locations in the United States. The expansion follows its pilot program offered from select California and Hong Kong agent locations to 40 million Philippines SMART phone users.MoneyGram joined forces with SMART Communications, Inc. in December and began the pilot phase of its MoneyGram mobile money transfer services to deliver funds from a MoneyGram agent location direct to any SMART Money account. Mozido, a leading mobile technology provider, supplies the transaction services to link MoneyGram’s services to SMART mobile phones."Our entry into mobile money transfers with SMART was well received by our consumers and we are continuing our expansion plans to link SMART Money users with MoneyGram’s agent locations around the world," said Dan O’Malley, MoneyGram’s executive vice president for the Americas. "Filipinos around the world continue to look for opportunities to meet their financial needs. Our goal is to provide these workers with the most affordable, reliable and convenient money transfer services, which includes sending funds direct to mobile accounts."MoneyGram also introduced mobile money transfers send services in Italy last year in partnership with its agent Poste Italiane and Poste Mobile’s exclusive technology. The service provides a mobile interface for consumers to transfer funds from their mobile phone to recipients collecting funds at any MoneyGram agent location."Mobile technology is expanding the possibilities for money transfer transactions and opening new markets for our service," O’Malley said. "Mobile services are especially helpful in developing countries where agent locations are difficult to establish. We have targeted several of these countries for our ongoing expansion in mobile services."Consumers generally keep their mobile phone within arms reach 24-hours a day, making it an ideal platform for convenient money transfer services. Currently MoneyGram is in discussions with several mobile operators to introduce mobile programs in other regions around the world. The company is continuing its global roll-out of its mobile service to more agent locations, with countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Middle East among the locations expected to launch the service next.About MoneyGram InternationalMoneyGram International offers more choices for people separated from friends and family by distance or those with limited bank relationships to meet their financial needs. A leading global provider of money transfer services, MoneyGram International helps consumers to safely send money around the world with funds arriving at available agent locations in as little as 10 minutes. Its global network is comprised of 190,000 agent locations in more than 190 countries and territories. MoneyGram’s convenient and reliable network includes retailers, international post offices and financial institutions. To learn more about money transfer at an agent location, please visit www.moneygram.comor connect with us on Facebook.

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