In the 30's of the twentieth century, Western Union has become the world's largest telegraph company. In the early 60s Western Union has put into operation transcontinental microwave system of data transmission via radio waves, completely replacing the web of telegraph poles and wires. In 1995, First Financial Management was acquired by First Data Corp. (the deal amounted to $ 7 billion), and Western Union Financial Services became a subsidiary of First Data. The Western Union Company is a leader in global payment services In 1849, Selden and Sibley, the founders of the future Western Union, created the New York State Printing Telegraph Company. Number of active holders of "Golden Card" of Western Union amounted to 9.5 million people worldwide. Gold Card Loyalty Program Western Union