Western Union has taken of 451st position in the rating Fortune 500 in 2009, having moved from 473rd line in 2008. Western Union offers one of the easiest ways for families and friends to send money and stay connected almost anywhere in the world. Money transfer is a matter of minutes, at any distance. In October 2006 the company made an initial public offering of shares on the New York Stock Exchange, becoming independent from First Data company. Sibley, the founder of Western Union, did not build a new telegraph lines, and persuaded the other players to join. American Telegraph Company, however, still had to buy it.