GCash joins Filipinos in New York to celebrate Independence Day!

It also highlighted efforts to boost financial inclusion the Philippines and abroad.

GCash parade in New York

Celebrating Filipinos’ independence

GCash said it recently took part in Independence Day commemorations in New York City that was 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 is the biggest Independence Day Parade outside of the Philippines and is now on its 34th year.

During the event, GCash International General Manager Paul Albano noted new features that make digital financial services better for Filipinos living outside of the Philippines.

For GCash’s part, it has implemented efforts to expand internationally. The app is currently 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.

The celebration was held through a full-day cultural festival on June 2, 2024.

GCash unveiled a float during the Independence Day Parade. It also had booths set up during a parallel street fair between Madison and Park Avenues that featured trade and travel merchants.

The company’s booth featured partnerships with financial institutions like Meridian, which 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 fair ForEx rates and a nominal $1 fee per transaction.

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 announced in March that it has expanded its international reach and fully launched its global expansion 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 access the app using their international mobile numbers.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will soon be added by the next half of 2024.

Aside from fund transfers, GCash users abroad can also 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:

1.Download the GCash app on Google Play, App Store, or Huawei AppGallery with an active international SIM card.

2.On the app, select the country, type in your mobile number, and fill out important personal information to register– residency requirements may apply.

3.Set your MPIN then proceed to log in.

4.Ready your valid ID, like your Philippine passport, for scanning to verify your account.

5.Afterward, complete the facial verification via a selfie and provide additional information, then wait for the SMS confirmation.

6.Upon receiving the confirmation, you may now enter your MPIN and use the app.

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

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