LemFi, a fast-growing financial technology firm catering to immigrants across North America, the UK, and Europe, has announced a landmark partnership with GCash, the Philippines’ most widely used mobile wallet.
The deal allows Filipinos abroad to send money directly into GCash accounts back home, with zero transfer fees, competitive exchange rates, and near-instant delivery.
“Our kababayans abroad want speed and reliability. This partnership delivers both, while making financial support feel immediate and intentional,” said Paul Albano, GCash’s International General Manager.
How LemFi operates
Founded to simplify financial services for immigrants, LemFi has rapidly expanded through fundraising and acquisitions.
In 2024, it secured a Series B funding round, obtained a money remittance licence in Europe, and acquired Pillar, a fintech offering credit solutions for diaspora communities.
Through its app, LemFi users can deposit funds, which are automatically converted to local currencies for direct use.
“Our mission is to make international payments easier, quicker, and more inclusive,” said Philip Daniel, LemFi’s Head of Global Expansion.
Who is GCash and what it does
Launched in 2004 as a mobile money service under Globe Telecom’s fintech arm Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations), GCash has grown into the Philippines’ dominant mobile finance platform.
The company is backed by major investors including Ant Group (affiliated with China’s Alibaba), Ayala Corporation, and Bow Wave Capital Management, support that has helped it achieve unicorn status with a valuation of over $2 billion.
Today, GCash boasts 94 million registered users worldwide and offers far more than peer-to-peer transfers. Through its app, customers can pay bills, shop online and in-store, save and borrow money, invest in funds, and buy insurance.
Its GCash Overseas service even allows registration with international phone numbers, making it a crucial financial bridge for Filipinos living and working abroad.
“As the largest mobile wallet in the Philippines, GCash plays a critical role in the financial lives of Filipinos,” noted Patricia Estrella, Community Lead at LemFi.
Impact of LemFi–GCash collaboration for diaspora and market
The Philippines ranks among the world’s largest remittance recipients, with over $36 billion sent home in 2023, according to the World Bank. Remittances contribute nearly 10 percent of the country’s GDP, making affordability and reliability critical for millions of families.
By integrating with GCash, LemFi positions itself as a key player in the remittance market across North America and Europe, where millions of Filipinos work in healthcare, technology, and service industries.
“For millions of Filipinos using GCash, this partnership represents convenience, connection and a commitment to serve Filipinos wherever they are,” said Raymund Abog, LemFi’s Head of Growth for South East Asia.
Why this matters
Sending money home has traditionally been costly, with fees averaging 6 percent globally, according to the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). For low-income migrant workers, those costs translate into billions lost annually.
LemFi’s zero-fee model and near-instant transfers offer an alternative that could reshape the competitive remittance landscape. More importantly, it strengthens the emotional bond of migrants supporting their families from afar.
“This is more than convenience, it’s connection,” Albano stressed.
The partnership was unveiled at a Toronto community brunch, attended by Filipino cultural leaders and long-time remitters, underscoring its grassroots importance. For LemFi, it marks another step in its ambition to become the financial lifeline of immigrant communities worldwide.
For GCash, it deepens its role as a household necessity in the Philippines, where for many families, remittances remain the backbone of daily survival.
