MoneyGram International has signed an agreement with SMART Communications, a Philippines-based provider of wireless services, to enable the consumers of Philippines to receive money transfers to their SMART Money account on their mobile phones.
Moreover, MoneyGram has launched a pilot service in a select number of agent locations in San Diego, California, and Hong Kong. Consumers can send money from these pilot locations to any SMART Money account linked to the SMART mobile phone in the Philippines.
Through the SMART Money platform, remittance beneficiaries have the flexibility to store the remittance value in their SMART Money Account linked to their phone, pay bills or withdraw the money from an ATM, a SMART Wireless Center or SMART Money Center. Additionally, beneficiaries also receive text notifications after every transaction.
John Hempsey, executive vice president of MoneyGram at Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific regions, said: “This partnership gives MoneyGram access to more than 39mn SMART subscribers in the Philippines and extends the benefits of our safe and reliable money transfer services to a new category of consumers.
“The Philippines is a major global remittance market and we’re pleased to offer yet another convenient choice for Filipinos working abroad to send money to their friends and family back home.”
Napoleon Nazareno, president and CEO of Philippine Long Distance Telephone and SMART, said: “The collaboration between MoneyGram and SMART will enable Filipinos abroad to send remittances directly to their loved ones’ SMART mobile phones in a matter of minutes. This initiative reinforces our commitment to provide overseas Filipinos with more accessible, affordable and secure options to send cash to the Philippines.”
