EXHIBIT 15.1 December , 1996 The Board of Directors of MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. We are aware of the inclusion in Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No. 333-228) and related Prospectus of MoneyGram Payments System, Inc. of our report dated October 16, 1996 (except as to Note 2, as to which the date is December , 1996) relating to the unaudited interim financial statements of MoneyGram Payments Systems, Inc. for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1996. Pursuant to Rule 436(c) of the Securities Act of 1933 our report is not part of the registration statement prepared or certified by accountants within the meaning of Section 7 or 11 of the Securities Act of 1933. ERNST & YOUNG LLP Denver, Colorado - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The foregoing acknowledgement is in the form that will be signed upon the completion of the transactions and restatement of capital accounts described in Note 1 to the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 1995 under the caption "Formation of the Company." ERNST & YOUNG LLP Denver, Colorado December 4, 1996