Thursday, September 3, 2009

Walmart, Launches Electronic Pay Program

Walmart Launches Associate Electronic Pay Program with MasterCard and First Data

Provides Easy Access to Pay and Reduces Use of Paper Paychecks




BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Walmart, MasterCard

Worldwide and First Data today announced a new, more sustainable payroll

program designed to reduce the number of paper paychecks and pay stubs

distributed each year to Walmart and Sam's Club associates in the U.S. In

order to benefit both associates and the environment, the electronic pay

program will include the deployment of the Money Network(TM) MasterCard

Paycard(R) and electronic pay stubs, which will cut down on paper consumption

and provide associates easier access to their wages.



"Electronic payroll is the right choice for our associates, our company and

the environment," said Tom Schoewe, executive vice-president and CFO, Wal-Mart

Stores, Inc. "It provides our associates with fast, convenient and safe access

to their pay. The program's ability to reduce paper usage is right in line

with Walmart's commitment to eliminate waste wherever we can."



Walmart associates may receive their pay either by direct deposit or through

the First Data Money Network program and may access their wages through the

Money Network MasterCard Paycard(R) or Money Network(TM) Checks. The program

will provide a more flexible way for associates to get immediate access to

their full wages on payday even during natural disasters such as blizzards,

hurricanes and floods. Associates will not need to come in on their day off or

while on vacation to receive their pay, and they will have the convenience of

receiving cash fee-free at any Walmart or Sam's Club register. The new

electronic pay program will be rolled out to all U.S. associates in September.





"We have worked closely with Walmart and First Data to develop a customized

program that will simplify the payroll process and support environmental

sustainability," said Chris McWilton, president, U.S. Markets, MasterCard

Worldwide. "We are excited that we are able to support Walmart's vision for

truly responsible and sustainable business operations by providing Walmart and

Sam's Club associates with the benefits of immediacy, security, simplicity and

efficiency offered by paperless wages." MasterCard will be the exclusive brand

for the card, which can be used anywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted,

including ATMs.



First Data will provide the processing and reload network for the program as

part of First Data's Money Network(R) Payroll Distribution Service. "Walmart

is raising the bar for employers everywhere by providing associates who don't

have bank accounts with immediate access to funds on payday, without fee or

discount, and access to cash at thousands of locations across the country,"

said Ed Labry, president, Retail and Alliance Services, First Data.

"Associates may also write Money Network Checks payable to themselves or use

them to pay bills, just like any other check." Associate funds in the Money

Network program are FDIC-insured.



Walmart's Sustainability Commitment As part of its company-wide sustainability

goals, Walmart is committed to being supplied 100 percent by renewable energy,

creating zero waste and selling environmentally-friendly products. The company

is moving toward these goals by using sustainable sourcing practices including

energy efficiency, waste reduction, renewable energy and lifecycle management.

These initiatives are making Walmart a more sustainable company and helping

create a favorable environment for green job creation.



About Walmart Stores, Inc.



Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or "Walmart," serves customers and members

more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,000 retail units under 53

different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2009 sales of $401

billion, Walmart employs more than 2.1 million associates worldwide. A leader

in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart

ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2009 Most Admired Companies

survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting

www.Walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at

www.Walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.



About MasterCard Worldwide



MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic

link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants

worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and

markets payment solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions

each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to

financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard

Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard(R),

Maestro(R) and Cirrus(R), MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more

than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to

www.mastercard.com.



About First Data



First Data powers the global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for

people and businesses to buy goods and services using virtually any form of

electronic payment. Whether the choice of payment is a gift card, a credit or

debit card or a check, First Data securely processes the transaction and

harnesses the power of the data to deliver intelligence and insight for

millions of merchant locations and thousands of card issuers in 36 countries.

First Data's Money Network Payroll Distribution Service delivers the benefits

of paperless pay, while at the same time reducing administrative costs for

employers. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.



Media Contacts:



Michelle Bradford, Walmart, Tel +479 204 6696, michelle.bradfordO@Wal-mart.com



Sarah Ely, MasterCard Worldwide, Tel. + 914 249 6714, sarah_ely@mastercard.com



Glen Turpin, First Data, Tel +303 967 6552, glen.turpin@firstdata.com



SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.



Michelle Bradford of Walmart +1-479-204-6696, michelle.bradfordO@Wal-mart.com;

or Sarah Ely of MasterCard Worldwide, +1-914-249-6714,

sarah_ely@mastercard.com; or Glen Turpin of First Data, +1-303-967-6552,

glen.turpin@firstdata.com

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