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. In 1920, Western Union has implemented the world's first transmission of images over the ocean. Western Union offers one of the easiest ways for families and friends to send money and stay connected almost anywhere in the world. In October 2006 the company made an initial public offering of shares on the New York Stock Exchange, becoming independent from First Data company. One of the common kinds of money transfer is a transfer via the international system of Western Union. Before transition to remittances Western Union company rendered services on sphere of cable communication. In October 1871 the company Western Union began to provide money transfer services, drawing on its own extensive telegraph network.