Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices [Abstract]

Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives [Policy Text Block]

Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities

The Company accounts for derivative instruments and hedging activities in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which requires that all derivative instruments be recognized as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. Primarily in the Money Transfer Segment, the Company enters into foreign currency derivative contracts, mainly forward contracts, to offset foreign currency exposure related to the notional value of money transfer settlement assets and liabilities in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. These contracts are considered derivative instruments under the provisions of ASC Topic 815; however, the Company does not designate such instruments as hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, changes in the value of these contracts are recognized immediately as a component of foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The impact of changes in value of these contracts, together with the impact of the change in value of the related foreign currency denominated settlement asset or liability, on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets is not significant.

Cash flows resulting from derivative instruments are classified as cash flows from operating activities in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company enters into derivative instruments with highly credit-worthy financial institutions and does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. See Note 11, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, for further discussion of derivative instruments.