In February 2009 the company entered into an agreement with Fexco to acquire 100% of its shares for $ 159.9 million. 1980 - for the first time in the history of Western Union revenues from money transfers exceeded the income from the telegraph service. In 1860 the U.S. Congress arranged among the telegraph companies a competition to create a national line. The winner was Western Union. Another invention of Western Union - time synchronization. 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. One of the common kinds of money transfer is a transfer via the international system of Western Union. In 1933, by the Western Union Company were invented "singing telegrams". The first offices of company were located in the Reynolds Arcade building in Rochester, New York. The sign above the main entrance to the building - In the 1910-1920 years. Western Union is actively engaged in researching, innovating in the field of data transmission.