In the early forties of the 20th century, Western Union has used the first time a commercial intercity microwave transmission system. 1998 - the number of points of money transfers worldwide reached 50,000. The network of money transfers of Western Union is the world's largest. Western Union offers one of the easiest ways for families and friends to send money and stay connected almost anywhere in the world. In order to increase competitiveness and market expansion of its services, Western Union launched a program of loyalty Western Union Gold Card for customers, who has repeatedly made money transfers via Western Union. 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. July 3, 1884 the company's shares were included in the calculation base for the newly created stock index Dow Jones Transportation Average. Western Union incomes for 2007 have made $4,9 billion US dollars, and the quantity of transactions has made 572 million. In the 1910-1920 years. Western Union is actively engaged in researching, innovating in the field of data transmission. 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.