Western Union, a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, and Cebuana Lhuillier, the largest and long-tenured micro-financial service provider in the Philippines, today announced the launch of digital money transfers to enable customers to receive and send money transfers via the Cebuana Lhuillier Mobile App – eCebuana (or eCeb) with an embedded micro-savings account.
Receivers in the Philippines have the choice to direct a Western Union international money transfer directly into the eCebuana app (available for iOS and Android) 24/7, as an alternative to retail pick-up. The opportunity to send money locally or globally will roll out early next year. This service expansion follows the recent launch of Western Union services enabling customers to send and receive money at over 2,500 Cebuana Lhuillier locations in the Philippines.
“Facilitating convenient access for customers is of utmost importance for Western Union,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Head of Network, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei & Indochina, Western Union. “Through this partnership, we are bringing new and innovative ways to receive and send money across the Philippines. We are excited to expand our suite of services with Cebuana Lhuillier, offering exceptional coverage and proximity, serving both online and offline while giving customers peace of mind with reliable and regulated access to money transfer services.”
“Following the successful launch of Western Union services at our retail locations, we are now excited to roll out a digital solution for convenient money transfers in the Philippines,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President, and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. “Our shared ambition is clear: to make it easier for customers to move money with reliability and ease, and for that we are continually innovating, increasing the ways customers can move funds for cross-border money transfers, and ensuring that we are one step ahead to meet their changing needs. This is still in line with our commitment of bringing financial inclusion and financial mobility to every Filipino.”
Customer Guidance
Recipients can now opt to receive their remittances through eCebuana app in just three easy steps: eCebuana users simply need to select receive money service; choose Western Union; and input the MTCN. After submitting the required information and successfully inputting the OTP provided through SMS, Western Union remittance will automatically be credited to their micro savings account.
With a Micro Savings account, customers can pay cashless using their 24K Debit card at any of the accredited retail stores or withdraw funds from 21,000 ATMs nationwide. They can also opt to use the funds for various in-app services, including bills payment, load purchases, and direct remittances to other Micro Savings accounts, to a Cebuana Lhuillier branch, or to any other bank account.
