Due to regulatory requirements and consumer demand in Germany and France, MoneyGram opened company stores in both countries. In due time MoneyGram separated from the Western Union and became an independent brand. Since going public two and a half years ago, MoneyGram has made great strides by pouring energy and resources into several critically important areas for business. The benefits of money transfers by MoneyGram: high-speed delivery of transfers (10-15 min). In March 2012, the company MoneyGram merged with the network of U.S. payment centers ZipZap.