Western Union-Intermex Deal Faces 30-Day Antitrust Waiting Period

Western Union was forced to refile its merger notification regarding its deal to acquire International Money Express ("Intermex") with both the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, according to American Banker.

The refiling came after the previous approval expired at midnight on October 6, 2026, starting a new 30-day waiting period. This period is typically granted to regulatory authorities to review the transaction before allowing it to close. It enables regulators to request additional information or take legal action if they determine that the transaction threatens competition.

Approval from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation remains pending. The transaction, valued at approximately $500 million, brings together two prominent players in the money transfer market, through which worker remittances flow to countries in the region.

The agreement faces a deadline on November 10, after which either party has the right to walk away from the deal. The succession of regulatory hurdles indicates that completing the deal is now contingent on multiple simultaneous approvals, raising uncertainty surrounding the timing of its closure.

What Do These Terms Mean?

Antitrust Notification Law: A U.S. law requiring companies to notify regulatory authorities before completing major acquisitions and to observe a specified waiting period.

Waiting Period: A timeframe set by regulatory authorities to review a transaction, which cannot be finalized before its expiration.

Final Closing Date: A maximum deadline agreed upon in the deal contract, after which any party can withdraw its commitment if conditions are not met.

Remittances: Money transfers sent by workers abroad to their home countries, an activity that many economies in the region rely upon.