THIS week, popular remittance provider, Azimo, announced they will no longer process new person-to-person transfers after August 31. In simpler language, Azimo has decided to stop their remittance activity globally this week. Below is a summary of ways to continue sending money into the Philippines, and what to know when choosing a remittance provider.
In 2020, the World Bank reported that nearly US$35 billion was received in the Philippines by personal remittance and so far this year, WorldRemit users globally have sent more than US$4 billion to the Philippines.
Different ways to send money to the Philippines
There are many providers who facilitate the movement of money into the Philippines. When looking at what provider is best for your needs, consider how the recipient might best utilise the funds, and what carriers / vendors they use in their daily lives.
Below is an overview of services and partners/providers utilized by WorldRemit, which allows people to send money to the Philippines from dozens of countries around the world.
- Bank Transfer
Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank, AllBank, Allied Bank, Allied Savings Bank, ANZ Bank, Asia Trust Bank, Asia United Bank, Bangko Mabuhay, Bangkok Bank, Bank of America, Bank of China, Bank of Commerce, Bank of Florida, Bank of Makati, BDO, BDO Network Bank (One Network Bank), Binangonan Rural Bank, BPI, BPI Direct Banko, BPI Family Savings Bank, Camalig Bank, Cantilan Bank, Inc., Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank, China Bank, China Bank Savings, China Trust, CIMB Bank, Citi Bank, Community Rural Bank of Romblon, Country Builders Bank Inc., DBP (Development Bank of the Philippines), Deutsche Bank, Dungganon Bank, EastWest Bank, EastWest Rural Bank / Komo, Equicom Savings Bank, First Consolidated Bank, Guagua Rural Bank, Inc., HSBC, HSBC Savings Bank, ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China), Innovative Bank Inc., Isla Bank, JP Morgan Chase Bank, KEB Hana Bank, Legaspi Savings Bank, Malarayat Rural Bank Inc., Malayan Bank, Maya Bank, Inc., Maybank, Metrobank, Mindanao Consolidated Cooperative Bank, Mizuho Bank MUFG (Bank of Tokyo), Omnipay Partner Rural Bank, PBCom, Philippine Veterans Bank, PhilTrust Bank, Philippines Business Bank, Producers Savings Bank, PNB, PSBank, Queen City Development Bank (Queen Bank), Quezon Capital Rural Bank, Rang-ay Bank, Inc., RCBC, RCBC Savings Bank, Robinsons Bank, Rural Bank of Digos Inc., Rural Bank of Guinobatan Inc., Rural Bank of Porac (Pampanga), Inc., SeaBank Philippines, Security Bank, Shinhan Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Sterling Bank of Asia, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Sun Savings Bank, UCPB, UCPB Savings Bank, Union Bank, United Overseas Bank, Wealth Development Bank, Yuanta Savings Bank Philippines, Inc., (Tongyang).
- Cash pick-up
BDO, BDO Network Bank, Cebuana Lhuiller, LBC, Metrobank, M Lhuillier, Palawan Pawnshop / Palawan Express, Pera Hub, PSBank, RD Pawnshop, SaveMore Market, SM Business Services, SM Hypermarket, The SM Store, The SM Supermarket, TrueMoney, Villarica Pawnshop, WalterMart.
- Mobile Wallet Networks
GCash, GrabPay, PayMaya, Shopee Pay
- Mobile Load
Cignal, Dito Telecommunity, Globe, Globe at Home, PLDT, Smart, Smart Bro, Sun, TnT
You can find the total cost of sending money to the Philippines with a currency converter. Most remittance providers have this service on their site. Select the receive method and delivery partner to check the exchange rate, transfer fees and the total amount your receiver will get in Philippines Peso or US Dollar. The transfer fee depends on the receive method and does not vary with the amount.
What information is needed to send money to the Philippines?
Register with a remittance provider service to send money to the Philippines. Once sign up is completed, client will be prompted to:
- Provide basic contact information:
- Sign up with full name, email address, mobile phone number, gender, birth date and address.
2. Verify information
- The service should attempt to verify mobile phone number with an OTP. One may be required to provide ID proof and a selfie image to verify identity. Identity verification typically takes up to 4 minutes. In case of a delay, the provider will contact the individual immediately. This happens to ensure identity and funds are safely being managed and not being used by a scammer.
3. Create a transfer
- Choose the amount to be sent, select how the receiver wants to get the money, and lastly, how the customer wants to pay. With services like WorldRemit, senders will always see the final amount they will pay and fees upfront, as well as the exact amount the receiver will get.
4. Provide recipient contact information
- Specific details of the receiver in the Philippines is needed based on the receive method. The receiver’s full name, mobile number and email address are always required to send money.
5. Pay for the transfer
- A bank account, a debit card or a credit card is needed to pay for the money transfer to the Philippines.