[Finterest] Ria Money Transfer expands in PH with GCash partnership

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Ria is competing in a fast-evolving remittance market, where industry giants race alongside startups to offer digital, mobile-first money transfer solutions with the lowest fees and best rates

MANILA, Philippines – Ria Money Transfer is making big moves in the Philippines this 2025, teaming up with GCash and setting up a new office in Makati to tap into the country’s remittance-driven economy as a key growth market.

As one of the world’s top recipients of remittances, the Philippines plays a crucial role in Ria’s global operations. In 2024 alone, overseas Filipinos sent home over $38 billion, with significant inflows coming from the United States, Europe, and Singapore — all regions where Ria has an extensive network.

Operating in nearly 200 countries, Ria has built a vast infrastructure, with over 607,000 locations worldwide connecting more than 4.1 billion bank accounts and 3.1 billion mobile wallet users. Ria is also a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide, a global electronic payment provider that operates ATMs, point-of-sale systems, and digital payment platforms.

This ecosystem allows customers to send and receive remittances in real-time, whether through Ria’s website, mobile app, or in-person partner stores. Recipients, in turn, have multiple options for accessing their funds, including direct bank deposits, mobile wallet transfers, and cash pick-ups at partner locations. Beyond remittances, Ria also facilitates currency exchange and bill payments, broadening its financial service offerings.

As part of its Philippine expansion, Ria partnered with GCash earlier in 2025. This deal allows overseas Filipinos to send money directly to GCash wallets from the US, Europe, Australia, and Singapore, even if the sender does not have a GCash Overseas account. The transfers are also processed in real-time.

This partnership adds GCash to Ria’s growing list of remittance channels in the country. Ria users already have access to cash pickup services through Palawan Pawnshop, Cebuana Lhuillier, and M Lhuillier, as well as direct deposit options with major banks like BDO, Metrobank, Chinabank, and Asia United Bank.

The latest step in Ria’s expansion is the opening of a new office in Makati’s Zuellig Building, which the company says will help scale operations and enhance services across the region. The new office supports a growing local workforce of nearly 100 employees across customer care, compliance, finance, and development.

“Ria’s expansion in Manila is about more than increasing our physical presence. It’s about reflecting our long-term commitment to the Filipino community, both at home and abroad,” said Shawn Fielder, Ria’s president and chief executive officer, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Makati office.

“We believe in ‘thinking global, but acting local,’ which means serving both our customers and their loved ones in a way that feels familiar, safe, and convenient,” Fielder added.

Ria is competing in a fast-evolving remittance market, where digital and mobile-first solutions are rapidly becoming the preferred way to send money. Traditional players like Western Union and MoneyGram are still major forces, but they now share the space with fast-growing startups offering new incentives. One example is Pomelo, which gives you points for redeeming rewards with Southeast Asian super app Grab. Meanwhile, Viamericas, a remittance service with over 2,500 retail locations in 40 US states, has also partnered with GCash to enable direct transfers to GCash accounts.

For those looking to avoid high bank fees and other extra charges, crypto remittances offer another alternative. By converting funds into stablecoins — digital assets pegged to real-world currencies — users can send money via crypto exchanges like Coins.ph, often at lower costs compared to traditional remittance channels. – Rappler.com

Finterest is Rappler’s series that demystifies the world of money and gives practical advice on managing your personal finances.