Customers in the Philippines can now receive their Western Union international money transfers via the Cebuana Lhuillier Mobile App – eCebuana (or eCeb) with an embedded micro-savings account.
Receivers now have the choice to direct a Western Union international money transfer directly into the eCebuna app (available for iOS and Android) 24/7 as an alternative to pick-up at a retail location. This service expansion follows the July, 2020 launch of Western Union services enabling customers to send and receive money at over 2,500 Cebuana Lhuillier locations across the Philippines.
Recipients can now opt to receive their remittances through the eCebuana app in just three easy steps: eCebuana users simply need to select receive money service; choose Western Union; and input the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN). After submitting the required information and successfully inputting the OTP provided through SMS, Western Union remittance will automatically be credited to their micro savings account.
With a micro savings account, customers can pay cashless using their 24K debit card at any of the accredited retail stores or withdraw funds from 21,000 ATMs nationwide. They can also opt to use the funds for various in-app services, including bills payment, load purchases, and direct remittances to other micro savings accounts, to a Cebuana Lhuillier branch, or to any other bank account.
Western Union and Cebuana Lhuillier understand the importance of connectivity and building relationships, while keeping customers at their core. This strategic collaboration and integration of capabilities of two leaders highlights the power of combined assets to meet customer’s needs.
In an age when speed, reliability and convenience mean everything, we are increasing the number of touchpoints where our customers can access our services and connect with their loved ones around the world. We welcome Cebuana Lhuillier to the Western Union family and are proud and excited to work collaboratively to reach more customers together.
After successfully serving Filipinos for decades with vital financial services, the two companies have joined forces to advance cross-border money movement for customers in the Philippines. This alliance supports Western Union’s strategy to leverage its platform and portfolio of capabilities, enabling other businesses looking to expand their global reach and build upon a robust partnership. The cooperation between the two companies also puts forward Cebuana Lhuillier’s vision of empowering Filipinos through financial services.
“This partnership with Western Union is a prudent step in ensuring accessibility for the millions of Filipinos around the world and in paving the way for a future-proof network with presence in almost all parts of the globe,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
“We are more than thrilled to collaborate with Western Union as their company values line up perfectly with our core of facilitating financial inclusion for the underserved Filipinos and expanding our reach makes that all the more possible,” added Lhuillier.
Cebuana Lhuillier is a one-stop shop that offers microfinancial services to more than 30 million clients through its more than 2,500 branches with 20,000 domestic partners and 1.7 million physical and virtual touchpoints. The company is also acting as a cash agent for Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank connecting millions to wider Philippines banks and providing a bank account to 4 million previously unbanked Filipinos.
Western Union serves customers globally from a fast-growing digital network of web, app, and the largest number of Agent retail locations across the world. In addition, Western Union’s global payout network includes billions of bank accounts and wallets, offering unparalleled convenience to families and loved ones sending money to the Philippines. In the Philippines, customers will soon be able to send and receive through Cebuana Lhuillier and may check the Agent Locator link for the status of their nearest locations.
