Skip to main content

GCash and Filipino Community Celebrate Independence Day in New York

GCash highlights new features and latest partnership with Meridian allowing transfers from over 12,000 US banks to GCash accounts

GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, took part in Independence Day commemorations in New York City, hosted by the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), a non-profit umbrella organization of Filipino-American associations along the East Coast. The PIDCI’s Independence Day Parade, the biggest Independence Day Parade outside of the Philippines and now on its 34th year, is an annual celebration of Filipino culture, the strengthening of familial and community ties, and a joyful display of Filipino pride.


At the event, Paul Albano, General Manager of GCash International, shared important new features that make digital financial services better for Filipinos living outside of the Philippines. GCash has made strides in its international expansion, with its app now available for download in the US using a US mobile phone number, and cashing in and sending money is easier from over 12,000 US banks to GCash accounts.

“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 as we can around the globe,” said Albano. “We are honored to join our community in this distinctly Filipino celebration, and we’re eager to share all the ways GCash has been continuously innovating and enhancing our services to meet the needs of our kababayan overseas.” 


The celebration of heritage and intergenerational community was held through a full-day cultural festival on June 2, 2024. GCash unveiled a float at its main event, an Independence Day Parade traversing Madison Avenue, that highlights GCash's main features that help connect Filipinos all around the world, especially with their loved ones back home.

GCash booths were also set up during a parallel street fair between Madison and Park Avenues that featured trade and travel merchants. Highlighting its role as a seamless fintech solution for Filipinos overseas, the GCash booth featured partnerships with financial institutions like Meridian, thus bridging US-based fintech services and the mobile wallet that has become a staple for financial services across the Philippines.

GCash and Meridian enable transfers from 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 transfer of US-based user funds within the GCash app from a selection of 12,000 US banks to GCash accounts. Upon transfer, the service automatically converts dollar amounts into Philippine pesos, offering competitive ForEx rates and a nominal $1 fee per transaction.

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



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—the US, Canada, Italy, the UK, Australia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Spain, Germany, and Singapore—can now use international mobile numbers to sign up and use the GCash app. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will follow suit in the next half of 2024.

With its expansion outside of the Philippines, GCash is able to serve and empower more Filipinos, wherever they may be based. In addition to free real-time money transfers among GCash wallets for convenient access to funds and the ability to buy load for loved ones back home, GCash users abroad can now directly pay their bills—ranging from utilities and tuition fees to government payables like taxes and contributions—from more than 1,900 Philippine billers.

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. On the app, select the country, type in your mobile number, and fill out important personal information to register– residency requirements may apply. Next, set your MPIN then proceed to log in. Ready your valid ID, like your Philippine passport, for scanning to verify your account. Afterward, complete the facial verification via a selfie and provide additional information, then wait for the SMS confirmation. Upon receiving the confirmation, you may now enter your MPIN and use the app.

GCash is also expected to meet with the Filipino communities in Carson City, California and Dubai, UAE within the coming weeks to share its GCash Overseas innovations.

Comments

Check out more...

Book Your Flights with Cebu Pacific and Seize Sulit Hotel Deals

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading airline,  is giving  every Juan  more reasons to seize the moment and  book their flights now  as it partners with  several hotels   offering   sulit   and   exclusive discounts  for that one unforgettable vacation. Book your flights across Cebu Pacific’s widest domestic network  and get  these  exciting deals  from the following hotel partners * : Club Paradise Palawan •  10% off on seafood bucket •  30% off on couple’s massage at Glow Spa •  10% savings on other treatment and services Discovery Shores Boracay •  16% off on dining offers;  Tomohawk  Steak at Forno Osteria Modern Filipino Boodle Fight  •  16% off on spa treatments: Terra for Two (180 mins); Terra’s Journey (180 mins) Discovery Samal •  Up to 40% off in The Bar - Junior Suite, Executive  Villa  and Villa  rooms o  Includes breakfast f...

Enjoy up to 29% OFF on select realme smartphones this 6.6. TikTok Birthday Sale

Don’t miss out on BIG discounts as realme celebrates TikTok 6.6 Birthday Sale! It’s finally TikTok’s 6.6 Birthday Sale and realme Philippines goes all-in to celebrate with whopping discount offerings from June 1-8 only.  Mark your calendars and get up to 29% OFF on select realme  smartphones and up to 40%  on select realme AIoT products. On top of this, the Squad is also in for a treat since they can take home exciting freebies all-week long!  From June 1-8, every purchase of the real me  C35 (4GB+128GB)  comes with a FREE TechLife Buds Classic, while anybody who will avail the  realme C33 (4GB+64GB)  will get a C-Series Tempered Glass as a freebie. To make things even more thrilling, the first few customers to buy a realme 10 Pro+ 5G (12GB+256GB) from  June 4-8  will get their very own realme Watch 3 for FREE . Additionally, everyone will also get a FREE TechLife Power Bank 100000mAh for each purchase of realme 10 (8GB+128GB), realme 10...

GCash cautions against gambling apps used for phishing

A recent investigation by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the leading mobile wallet GCash, has led to the discovery of certain gambling sites and apps which were used for account takeovers in the recent surge of phishing scams. Additionally, some influencers may have unknowingly promoted these gaming apps without being aware of their fraudulent nature. GCash is now cautioning its users to be extremely careful when accessing online gambling sites and apps, and to avoid them altogether if possible. In this latest scheme, perpetrators created gambling apps while falsely claiming to be accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). These apps deceive users with a verification process, redirecting them to a fake GCash website or payment page to top up betting credits. From there, fraudsters were able to access sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, GCash numbers, MPINs, OTPs, and other personal data that can be exploited to gain unau...

Celebrate the Mid-Year with realme's 6.6 Mega Sale

Enjoy huge discounts among freebies, vouchers, bundle deals as  realme joins Shopee and Lazada 6.6 Sale Events! realme Philippines will host a mid-year 6.6 sale on Shopee and Lazada, giving away vouchers and freebies besides the irresistible discounts for everyone. The realme 6.6 Mega Sale is the perfect excuse for an upgrade or to reward oneself after a buzzing first half of the year!   From June 6-8, realme will be offering up to 59% OFF during the Shopee 6.6 Mid-Year Sale on the realme C-Series and realme 10 (8GB+128GB). Every purchase of select smartphones will also come with a FREE Globe SIM card. Meanwhile, everyone who will avail the realme 10 Pro+ 5G (12GB+256GB) will be getting a FREE TechLife Power Bank 100000mAh along with a FREE TechLife Portable Blender 40W. On top of this, consumers can also get 15% OFF vouchers for a much sweeter deal and SPayLater for more flexible payment terms!   Here’s a quick guide to all the realme promotions this coming Shopee 6.6 Mi...

DICT, GeeksPH bolsters PH startup scene with 6th Geeks on a Beach in Panglao

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and GeeksPH announced the revival of Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) after a four-year break and is set to happen in Panglao, Bohol on November 23-24, during the Philippine Startup Week 2023. The two-day international conference, known for leveraging Philippine tourism and ICT Industry expertise, will gather hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and globally-acclaimed startup ecosystem players to showcase the country’s startup achievements in both local and international scenes. GOAB 2023 will offer plenary sessions exploring potential investment opportunities and breakout sessions that will focus on sector-specific topics like Fintech, EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech and other category-specific themes centered around youth and women. The event will also feature emerging technologies discussion, pitching fest, business matching, investors’ roundtable, and exhibits from various stakeholders. To cap off...