MoneyGram taps Smart for mobile money transfer

MANILA, Philippines - MoneyGram International has expanded its global money transfer services in the United States under a program with Smart Communications.

Anyone can transfer money from the US to any Smart mobile phone in the Philippines through MoneyGram’s 40,000 agent locations in the US. Mozido, a leading mobile technology provider, supplies the transaction services to link MoneyGram’s services to Smart mobile phones.

Earlier, the international money transfer company successfully collaborated with Smart for a pilot program to electronically transfer cash from California and Hong Kong.

MoneyGram executive vice president for the Americas Dan O’Malley said that the alliance with Smart was well received and that the program will continue to expand in the US.

Aside from MoneyGram, Smart has duplicated such services in places like Brazil in collaboration with other banks, money transfer firms and mobile service providers.

“Filipinos around the world continue to look for opportunities to meet their financial needs. Our goal is to provide these workers with the most affordable, reliable and convenient money transfer services, which includes sending funds direct to mobile accounts,” O’Malley said in a press statement.

Last year, MoneyGram introduced mobile money transfers services in Italy in partnership with its agent Poste Italiane and Poste Mobile’s exclusive technology. The service provides a mobile interface for consumers to transfer funds from their mobile phone to recipients collecting funds at any MoneyGram agent location.

Consumers generally keep their mobile phone within arms reach 24 hours a day, making it an ideal platform for convenient money transfer services.

Currently, MoneyGram is in discussions with several mobile operators to introduce mobile programs in other regions around the world. The company is continuing its global roll-out of its mobile service to more agent locations, with countries in Africa, the Carib-bean and Middle East among the locations expected to launch the service next.