DENVER & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Western Union, a leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, and City Express, one of the leading remittance companies in Japan, have launched a global consumer-to-business (C2B) payment service to enable global used-car enthusiasts to buy from BE FORWARD, one of Japan’s leading used-car exporters.
Western Union’s C2B offering uses the company’s proprietary Quick PaySM service, which is live in eight countries, including the Bahamas, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mongolia, New Zealand, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
BE FORWARD customers in these countries, now have the option to shop online on beforward.jp and then use local currency to pay for their purchases in person at a Western Union Agent Location in their country of residence.
The unique collaboration falls within the company’s growing portfolio of cross-border payments where other companies are increasingly using Western Union’s global network to enable options for payments of goods and services for their customers.
“By unlocking our network, Western Union is creating a money transfer and payments superhighway for innovative companies wishing to offer their customers the widest choice of options for cross-border payments,” said Sohini Rajola, Head of Network, Middle East and Asia Pacific, Western Union.
“We continue to capitalize on our unique cross-border strengths to meet increasing demand from global consumers and businesses for fast and reliable cross-border money transfer and payments,” she said.
“By connecting to Western Union’s robust retail network, we have the unique ability to link our offering to cash payments worldwide and serve many market segments. We have widened the category for potential customers by plugging into the Western Union and City Express platforms and enabling them to purchase a used car online and pay in person using local currency,” said Hironori Yamakawa, President, BE FORWARD.
“We are delighted to champion a global and local relationship that paves the way for a generation of customers that either have a preference to pay in cash or have zero or limited international credit card capabilities. This new form of cooperation enables everyone to benefit and largely contribute to creating an inclusive globalized world, where citizens around the world can buy global and pay local,” said Keiichi Akasaka, City Express.
CUSTOMER GUIDANCE
Once the customer chooses the car online on beforward.jp, they need to select the delivery option and input their details online. BE FORWARD will then forward them an email with the purchase details. The customer can then head to any of the Western Union retail Agent locations in their country of residence, with a valid photo ID and a copy of the order details and send the money. Customers can send up to US$ 5,000 for their car purchases.
Western Union will process the transaction and send the money across to City Express in Japan. When the payment is received, City Express will transfer the funds to BE FORWARD. BE FORWARD will then export the car to the customer.
About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement. Our omnichannel platform connects the digital and physical worlds and makes it possible for consumers and businesses to send and receive money and make payments with speed, ease, and reliability. As of September 30, 2019, our network included over 550,000 retail agent locations offering our branded services in more than 200 countries and territories, with the capability to send money to billions of accounts. Additionally, westernunion.com, our fastest growing channel in 2018, is available in 75 countries, plus additional territories, to move money around the world. With our global reach, Western Union moves money for better, connecting family, friends and businesses to enable financial inclusion and support economic growth. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
About City Express Money Transfer
CITY EXPRESS MONEY TRANSFER JAPAN Co Ltd is a fund transfer company registered in Kanto Regional Finance Bureau. It provides fast, reliable and secure remittance solution to its customers through ever increasing network of global agents since 2012. Its daily operations and decisions are made by keeping customers at the core of company. With strict business operations and multilingual customer care, City Express is expanding its business horizon with stronger partners, innovative products and smart technology. That positioned City Express better that other contemporary remittance companies and a well-known among foreigners living in Japan. Website: www.cityremit.com
About BE FORWARD
BE FORWARD is a global leader in used car exports, operating a cross border e-commerce site (www.beforward.jp/). We meet the needs of customers from over 200 countries by selling a wider range of products, including used cars, auto parts, heavy machinery, electronics and consumer goods. Our corporate strength comes from providing to the demands of a global market with services ranging from sales, transport, reliable remittance procedures and delivery to local customers. We serve to over 2.5 million customers. Our main product, used vehicle export, marked 166,745 units as annual export volume for the latest fiscal year.
