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Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies) | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and were prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10‑Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In compliance with those instructions, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this quarterly report are presented on a consolidated basis and include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and for all periods presented. In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements include all the normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations, financial position, and cash flows as of March 31, 2024 and for all periods presented. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Consistent with industry practice, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are unclassified due to the short-term nature of the Company’s settlement obligations contrasted with the Company’s ability to invest cash awaiting settlement in long-term investment securities.
Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted | Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a new accounting pronouncement regarding segment reporting. The standard requires that public entities expand reportable segment disclosures, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The Company is required to adopt the new standard for its 2024 annual reporting and effective January 1, 2025 for its interim reporting, using a retrospective approach. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this standard will have on the Company’s disclosures. In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a new accounting pronouncement regarding income tax disclosures. The standard requires that public entities disclose more consistent and detailed categories in their statutory to effective income tax rate reconciliations and further disaggregate income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The Company is required to adopt the new standard for its 2025 annual reporting, using a prospective approach. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact that the adoption of this standard will have on the Company’s disclosures.
Earnings Per Share | The calculation of basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Outstanding options to purchase Western Union stock and unvested shares of restricted stock are excluded from basic shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding stock options at the presented dates are exercised and shares of restricted stock have vested, using the treasury stock method. The treasury stock method assumes proceeds from the exercise price of stock options and the unamortized compensation expense of options and restricted stock are available to acquire shares at an average market price throughout the period, and therefore, reduce the dilutive effect.
Investment Securities | Investment Securities Investment securities included in Settlement assets in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consist primarily of highly-rated state and municipal debt securities, including fixed-rate term notes and variable-rate demand notes. Variable-rate demand note securities can be put (sold at par) typically on a daily basis with settlement periods ranging from the same day to one week but have varying maturities through 2052. These securities may be used by the Company for short-term liquidity needs and held for short periods of time. Investment securities are exposed to market risk due to changes in interest rates and credit risk. The Company is required to hold highly-rated, investment grade securities and such investments are restricted to satisfy outstanding settlement obligations in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. The Company’s investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value. Western Union regularly monitors credit risk and attempts to mitigate its exposure by investing in highly-rated securities and through investment diversification. Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and presented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related deferred taxes. Available-for-sale securities with a fair value below the amortized cost basis are evaluated on an individual basis to determine whether the impairment is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Factors that could indicate a credit loss exists include but are not limited to: (i) negative earnings performance, (ii) credit rating downgrades, or (iii) adverse changes in the regulatory or economic environment of the asset. Any impairment that is not credit-related is excluded from earnings and presented as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related deferred taxes, unless the Company intends to sell the impaired security, or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovering its amortized cost basis. Credit-related impairments are recognized immediately as an adjustment to earnings, regardless of whether the Company has the ability or intent to hold the security to maturity and are limited to the difference between fair value and the amortized cost basis. The Company’s provision for credit losses on its available-for-sale securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and the related allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were immaterial.
Foreign Currency - Derivatives | Foreign Currency Derivatives The Company’s policy is to use longer duration foreign currency forward contracts, with maturities of up to 36 months at inception and a targeted weighted-average maturity of approximately one year, to help mitigate some of the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the United States dollar could have on forecasted revenues denominated in other currencies related to its business. As of March 31, 2024, these foreign currency forward contracts had maturities of a maximum of 24 months with a weighted-average maturity of approximately one year. These contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges of forecasted revenue, with effectiveness assessed based on changes in the spot rate of the affected currencies during the period of designation and thus time value is excluded from the assessment of effectiveness. The initial value of the excluded components is amortized into Revenues within the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company also uses short duration foreign currency forward contracts, generally with maturities ranging from a few days to one month, to offset foreign exchange rate fluctuations on settlement assets and obligations between initiation and settlement. In addition, forward contracts, typically with maturities of less than one year at inception, are utilized to offset foreign exchange rate fluctuations on certain foreign currency denominated cash and other asset and liability positions. None of these contracts are designated as accounting hedges.
Foreign Currency - Business Solutions | Business Solutions Operations Prior to the final closing of the Business Solutions sale in 2023, the derivatives written related to this business were part of the broader portfolio of foreign currency positions arising from the Company’s cross-currency payments operations, which primarily included spot exchanges of currency in addition to forwards and options. Foreign exchange revenues from the total portfolio of positions included in Revenues in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income were $14.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. None of the derivative contracts used in Business Solutions operations were designated as accounting hedges.

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