Moneygram, Western Union offer reduced fees for earthquake relief

In response to the earthquake in Haiti on Tuesday (Jan 12), MoneyGram International (NYSE: MGI) is offering fees of US$1 or its equivalent in other currencies for money transfers to Haiti from any MoneyGram agent location worldwide. The pricing is valid though January 24th, and in the US is also available on MoneyGram's website, the company said in a press release. Additionally, US consumers can send funds through MoneyGram locations in the US to the American Red Cross for no fee through February 13. Similarly, Western Union (NYSE: WU) will offer no-fee transfers for any amount sent to Haiti from the US, Canada and France for a period of seven days once service is reestablished throughout the country, the company said in a release. Western Union also has set up an account in the US benefitting Mercy Corps in support of disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Consumers in the US can send no-fee money transfers of up to US$5,000 to the account for the next 30 days, from any Western Union agent location or the company's website.