As a result of 2011, net income of Western Union has increased by 28% to $ 1.165 billion, the company reported. Each money transfer is protected with control number, that allows you to track and to ensure prompt payment of money specified by you person. One of the common kinds of money transfer is a transfer via the international system of Western Union. In October 1871 the company has implemented the world's first telegraph money order. After a century money transfers have become a major source of income for Western Union. In 1914 Western Union engineers invented the first payment card - a prototype of the modern credit card. In 1879 Western Union left the telephone business after losing a lawsuit against Alexander Graham Bell - the patent holder on the phone.