Western Union has launched a new mobile app in the Philippines, the first market globally where the company offers both remittance sending and requesting features in a single platform.
Through the app, consumers can send money abroad directly from their phones, with access to Western Union’s extensive global financial network. This includes billions of bank accounts, millions of digital wallets and cards, and hundreds of thousands of retail locations for cash payouts.
Filipino users can also request remittances from family or friends abroad. By entering their receiver details, they can prompt senders in markets such as the U.S., Australia, Singapore and the UK to complete transactions online.
Funds received in the Philippines can be redirected to a bank account, deposited into a digital wallet, or collected in cash. Senders abroad can also choose payout methods depending on the market. Transfers can be tracked within the app using a transaction tracking number.
To fund transfers, users in the Philippines can pay securely online via the national QR code system “QR Ph.” Western Union said sign-up takes only a few minutes.
Gregory Laurent, Western Union vice president for the Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, said the app aims to meet the evolving needs of Filipino consumers. “Remittances represent a life with more opportunity and hope. Our new app gives the opportunity to do both sending and requesting, with flexibility and trust,” he said.
Remittances remain vital to the economy. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported an all-time high of $38 billion in inflows in 2024, with the U.S. as the largest source.
The Western Union app is now available on the App Store and Google Play.
READ MORE FINTECH NEWS.
