[StBernard] Walmart Opens 1000th Walmart MoneyCenter, Announces 500 More for 2010

[Westley Annis]

Walmart Opens 1000th Walmart MoneyCenter, Announces 500 More for 2010


Money services customers saved $450 million last year

 

 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Walmart (NYSE: WMT) celebrated the grand opening of its
1000th  Walmart MoneyCenter in March and announced plans to add Walmart
MoneyCenters in 500 additional stores this year. The 1000th Walmart
MoneyCenter, located in Chalmette, gives customers affordable solutions on
basic money services, including the Walmart MoneyCard.

 

"Walmart MoneyCenters are a cornerstone of our business and were specially
created to give customers a welcoming environment where they can save when
they cash checks, pay bills and transfer money," said Jane Thompson,
president, Walmart Financial Services. "Customers ask when their stores will
get a Walmart MoneyCenter, so we are delighted to announce the expansion
into approximately 500 more stores."

 

Walmart MoneyCenters are dedicated spaces inside the store that offer
customers an inviting, safe and convenient place to handle their basic
financial needs seven days a week. With the anticipated expansion into 500
more stores this year, there will be Walmart MoneyCenters in approximately
40 percent of Walmart's 3,763 stores nationwide. 

 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said he was grateful for
Walmart's continued commitment in St. Bernard and for the decision to expand
its services.

 

"This complements perfectly what services people wanted Walmart to provide,
services such a place for them to pay their bills," President Taffaro said.
"It goes hand in hand with what people have said they needed." 

 

Company estimates indicate that customers saved $450 million in fees last
year by using money services at Walmart.*

 

Walmart MoneyCenter Services

"Our customers love the convenience of one-stop shopping with money services
at Walmart prices," said Rosalind Brewer, executive vice president and
president, Walmart South. "Walmart MoneyCenters play a very important role
in helping families save money so they can live better."

 

Walmart is a leading provider of affordable money services that help
customers manage their money and keep their finances on track. 

*	Check Cashing - With Walmart check cashing, customers can
conveniently cash payroll or government checks, including tax-refund checks,
starting at $3. 
*	Bill Payment - Walmart offers three-day, next-day and same-day bill
payment delivery options, with prices starting at 88 cents. 
*	Money Transfers - Customers can use MoneyGramR to send money to
friends and family around the world in minutes, for a great low fee.

*	Walmart MoneyCard - The Walmart MoneyCard is a leading reloadable,
pre-paid Visa debit card, available for the low price of only $3. American
families underserved by traditional financial institutions can have many of
the advantages of a checking account, including depositing their paychecks
on a safe and secure card, checking their balances, paying bills and
shopping anywhere Visa debit is accepted. The Walmart MoneyCard has no
overdraft fees.

 

1000th MoneyCenter Celebration

To mark the opening of the 1000th Walmart MoneyCenter, Walmart hosted a
community celebration in Chalmette and made a $10,000 donation to the
Community Center of St. Bernard.

 

The center provides an extensive range of services to St. Bernard Parish,
which suffered widespread devastation from Hurricane Katrina. The center's
offerings range from legal aid to food to after-school programs, and include
financial literacy classes to help families learn money management and take
control of their finances. 

Scott Miller, Walmart regional general manager, said, "We are very happy to
support the Community Center in helping the families of St. Bernard Parish."

To extend the celebration of the opening of the 1000th Walmart MoneyCenter,
$1,000 donations are also being made to groups that promote financial
literacy in Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., Charlotte, N.C., Dallas, Houston,
Orlando, Fla., Phoenix, Raleigh, N.C., and St. Louis.

About Walmart

Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, Neighborhood
Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America, or log on to the online
store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a
philosophy of giving back locally.  Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support
the causes that are important to customers and associates in their own
neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local
communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be
found by visiting www.walmartstores.com <http://www.walmartstores.com/> .

 

*Savings figures are based on Walmart's internal research and projected
savings when Walmart's basic money services are compared to major national
competitors. Basic money services include: check cashing, bill pay, money
transfers, money orders and the Walmart MoneyCard.

 

 

EDITOR'S NOTES

 

*	Walmart Home Office spokesperson: Linda Blakley, 800-331-0085
*	Media contact: Susan Morgenstern, Mitchell Communications Group,
615-478-6215
*	Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com
<http://www.walmartfacts.com/> ; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
<http://www.walmart.com/> 

 

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