Western Union, on October 1, launched a new mobile application in the Philippines that allows users to send funds abroad and, for the first time in any of its global markets, also request money from overseas.

The new app enables consumers in the Philippines to send money to Western Union’s global network, which includes bank accounts, digital wallets, and retail locations for cash payout.

To fund these transfers, users can pay online within the app using the national QR code payment method, ‘QR Ph’.

A key new function is the ability to request funds. A user in the Philippines can send a request to someone in several global markets, including the U.S., Australia, Singapore, and the UK.

The sender in that country can then complete the transaction online. Additionally, when receiving funds sent digitally from select countries like the USA and the UK, Philippine users can redirect the money to their preferred bank account or digital wallet.

Gregory Laurent, Vice President at Western Union, said the new app is part of the company’s effort to better serve consumers in the country.

“For many in the country, remittances represent a life with more opportunity and hope. At the same time, an increasing number of Filipinos opt to send funds abroad. Our new app gives the opportunity to do both,” Laurent stated.

The launch comes as remittances to the Philippines continue to grow, reaching an all-time high of US$38 billion in 2024, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Philippines based on images by Western Union.