Western Union CO Fair Value Disclosure
8. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value, as defined by the relevant accounting standards, represents the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Refer to Note 2 for additional information on how the Company measures fair value.
The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, by balance sheet category (in millions):
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Fair Value Measurement Using |
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Total |
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December 31, 2025 |
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Level 1 |
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Level 2 |
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Fair Value |
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Assets: |
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Settlement assets: |
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Measured at fair value through net income: |
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Money market funds |
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$ |
44.2 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
44.2 |
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Measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (net of expected credit losses recorded through net income): |
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State and municipal debt securities |
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— |
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1,131.4 |
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1,131.4 |
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Asset-backed securities |
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— |
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157.8 |
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157.8 |
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Corporate debt and other securities |
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— |
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155.9 |
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155.9 |
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Other assets: |
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Derivatives |
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— |
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15.3 |
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15.3 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
44.2 |
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$ |
1,460.4 |
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$ |
1,504.6 |
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Liabilities: |
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Other liabilities: |
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Derivatives |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
40.2 |
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$ |
40.2 |
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Total liabilities |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
40.2 |
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$ |
40.2 |
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Fair Value Measurement Using |
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Total |
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December 31, 2024 |
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Level 1 |
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Level 2 |
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Fair Value |
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Assets: |
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Settlement assets: |
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Measured at fair value through net income: |
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Money market funds |
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$ |
32.6 |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
32.6 |
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Measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (net of expected credit losses recorded through net income): |
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State and municipal debt securities |
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— |
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1,029.0 |
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1,029.0 |
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Asset-backed securities |
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— |
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211.2 |
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211.2 |
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Corporate debt and other securities |
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— |
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92.1 |
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92.1 |
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Other assets: |
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Derivatives |
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— |
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29.5 |
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29.5 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
32.6 |
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$ |
1,361.8 |
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$ |
1,394.4 |
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Liabilities: |
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Other liabilities: |
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Derivatives |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
3.6 |
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$ |
3.6 |
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Total liabilities |
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$ |
— |
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$ |
3.6 |
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$ |
3.6 |
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There were no material, non-recurring fair value adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2024, non-recurring fair value adjustments were approximately $13 million for impairments related to the Company’s assets in Russia. For the year ended December 31, 2023, non-recurring fair value adjustments were approximately $12 million for impairments primarily related to software no longer in use and property and equipment. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurements during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Other Fair Value Measurements
The carrying amounts for many of the Company’s financial instruments, including certain cash and cash equivalents, settlement cash and cash equivalents, and settlement receivables and obligations approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The Company’s borrowings are classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy, and the aggregate fair value of these borrowings was based on quotes from multiple banks. Fixed-rate notes are carried in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at their original issuance values as adjusted over time to amortize or accrete that value to par. As of December 31, 2025, the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s borrowings were $2,877.8 million and $2,881.3 million, respectively (see Note 14). As of December 31, 2024, the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s borrowings were $2,940.8 million and $2,876.7 million, respectively.
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 20, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 20, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 22, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Feb 23, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Feb 24, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Feb 19, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Feb 20, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Feb 21, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Feb 22, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Feb 22, 2017 | |
| 2015 | Feb 19, 2016 | |
About Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.
Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.