GCash Launches New Partnership with Meridian, Enabling Transfers from More Than 12,000 US Banks to GCash Accounts

From the US to Dubai, GCash and Filipino communities come together to celebrate PHL Independence Day

GCash, the Philippines’ premier financial app and largest cashless ecosystem, brought the spirit of Philippine independence to overseas Filipino communities in June. From the vibrant streets of New York City to the sun-drenched shores of California and the cosmopolitan center of Dubai, GCash joined hands with Filipino communities to celebrate our cultural heritage and foster stronger ties to the homeland.

GCash participated in the Independence Day commemorations in New York City, California and Dubai, where it shared important new features that aim to make digital financial services more accessible and even better for Filipinos living and working outside the Philippines.

“At GCash, when we say that ‘Finance for All’ is our vision, it means we are driven to go beyond the Philippines and reach as many Filipinos around the world as possible,” said Paul Albano, General Manager of GCash International . “We are honored to be part of our community in this quintessentially Filipino celebration, and we would like to share all the ways GCash has continually innovated and improved our services to meet the needs of our kababayan abroad.”

As GCash continues to expand its reach, Filipinos around the world can look forward to more responsive services, greater financial empowerment and connectivity, bridging the gap between continents and strengthening the bonds of community and culture.

The Filipino community from coast to coast celebrates Independence Day with GCash

The American leg of this year’s Philippine Independence Day commemorations included New York’s grand Independence Day Parade – the largest outside the Philippines – held on June 2, 2024. The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), a nonprofit umbrella organization of Filipino American associations along the East Coast hosted the event. Now in its 34th year, the parade has become an annual celebration of Filipino culture, strengthening family and community bonds, and the joyful display of Filipino pride.

At its NYC booth, which was set up during a street fair parallel to the Independence Day parade, GCash showcased partnerships with financial institutions such as Meridian, effectively bringing US-based financial services and the mobile wallet, which is a staple in the Philippines became coordinated.

On June 8, on the West Coast, the city of Carson, California came alive with all-day festivities for its own Independence Day celebration. The community event held at Veterans Park featured booths, a parade and cultural presentations – all showcasing Filipino culture past and present, as well as the joys of gathering with family and friends.

At the Carson commemoration, GCash also set up booths to share with members of the Filipino community the latest exciting updates about GCash, its international expansion and its position as a seamless digital financial solution for Filipinos abroad. Most importantly, the news is that the app can now be downloaded in the US using a US mobile phone number. Cashing and sending money is also now made easier and more convenient with direct transfers from over 12,000 US banks to GCash accounts.

GCash and Meridian enable transfers from 12,000 US banks to GCash peso accounts

GCash’s partnership with Meridian, an instant payments technology company headquartered in New York City, has enabled the direct in-app transfer of US-based user funds from more than 12,000 US banks to GCash accounts. When paying in cash, the service automatically converts dollar amounts to Philippine pesos with competitive ForEx rates. Cash payments will be charged a $1 fee per transaction.

“At GCash, we want to help with the most important thing for our compatriots abroad: how to care for their families and maintain ties with their loved ones despite the distance,” said Albano. “With GCash’s international expansion, this is exactly what we are doing. We make it possible for Filipinos abroad to take better control of their finances, and sending money to the Philippines is more convenient with our competitive rates.”

GCash celebrates UAE-UAE relations with migrant workers from Dubai

Across the world, in Dubai, the Filipino community gathered for the 126th Kalayaan 2024 celebration at the Dubai World Trade Center. The event, which featured cultural presentations and tributes to Philippine traditions, celebrated the continued contributions of overseas Filipinos to nation-building efforts in two countries. It also honored 50 years of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines.

During the event’s bazaar, GCash showcased its global expansion efforts to Filipinos who have built second homes in the UAE. It shared the latest innovations that aim to give Filipino workers abroad more control over their finances, in addition to the ability to support their families in the Philippines – all through easy and reliable access to financial services through the GCash app.

GCash International Expansion to Reach Millions of Overseas Filipinos

GCash announced in March that it has expanded its international reach and fully launched its global push following approval from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Filipinos in 14 territories (US, Canada, Italy, UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Qatar, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Spain, Germany and Singapore) can now use international mobile numbers to join to sign up for and use the GCash app. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will follow suit in the next half of 2024.

With the expansion beyond the Philippines, GCash can serve and empower more Filipinos wherever they are located. In addition to free, real-time money transfers between GCash wallets for easy access to funds, and the ability to buy money for loved ones back home, GCash users abroad can now directly pay their bills, ranging from utilities and tuition fees to government debts such as taxes and premiums – of more than 1,900 Philippine invoices.

To access GCash outside the Philippines, simply download the GCash app on Google Play, App Store or Huawei AppGallery with an active international SIM card. In the app, select the country, enter your mobile number and fill in important personal details to register; Residency requirements may apply. Then set your MPIN and proceed to login. Prepare your valid ID, such as your Philippine passport, for scanning to verify your account. Then complete facial verification via selfie and provide additional information, then wait for the SMS confirmation. After receiving the confirmation, you can now enter your MPIN and use the app.

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