 | |
| Screenshot from the Western Union mobile app for Android. |
The app also enables customers to estimate fees and foreign exchange rates for online money transfers, track past and pending transactions, show payout options available in the receivers’ country, and provide round-the-clock customer service.
Singapore is a major hub for money movement and is the fourth largest remitter in Asia after Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia– remitting more than US$6.1 billion last year, according to IFAD**. It is propelled largely by its international standing as a popular international labour market for professionals, offering both high and low skill employment opportunities, Western Union notes.
Last year, Western Union moved money into 175 countries from Singapore. The company's platform processes an average of 32 transactions every second and moves US$300 billion a year across 130 currencies.
“We are delighted to introduce online money transfers in Singapore, where a high level of digital connectivity has offered consumers boundless possibilities to integrate mobile usage across various aspects of their daily lives. In addition to enjoying seamless digital money movement via the Western Union mobile app, we have also integrated the option for customers to commence their transaction within the app and pay for the transaction in person at retail,” said Molly Shea, Senior VP & GM, Global Money Transfer, Asia Pacific, Western Union.
“The capabilities of our platform today give us an unrivalled advantage – a fully seamless digital offering or a hybrid of online and offline. This multichannel capability utilises our growing international bank and wallet payout network and further monetises our iconic retail network. It positions us favourably, to serve a global customer base with diverse preferences, like no other.”
Western Union has provided money transfer services in Singapore for more than 15 years. Agent locations across the country offer customers the opportunity to send and receive money in person, from all major cities including small towns in remote areas.
Details:
In line with Monetary Authority of Singapore regulations, prior to the first use of the online service and the app, customers are required to register on the app and undergo a verification process. This requirement is also in place for other remittance services.
A verification email will be sent to the registered email/phone number. Once confirmed, the customer can proceed to enter his personal details and valid ID details. Acceptable IDs include National Registration Identity Cards (NRIC), passports and driving licences.
Customers can then proceed to verify their ID and details through a video chat with an agent or verify in-person at a Western Union Agent location. Upon receipt of an email confirmation of their successful account verification and activation, Western Union customers can conveniently send money anytime, with a few clicks from their mobile phones.
Download the app for iOS or Android.
Call the Singapore hotline at +65 6336 2000 with questions, email SingaporeEnglish.customer@westernunion.com for support in English or SingaporeMandarin.customer@westernunion.com for support in Chinese. Queries can also be answered in person at over 70 Western Union Agent locations across the country.
*While the app has been available for some time, customers had to start the transfer within the app and then make the transfer in person at an agent in the past. The current version of the app allows them to pay for their transactions within the app using a choice of card or account, and or continue to pay in-person at retail. Western Union typically adds a transfer fee for the in-person service without the app that rises in tandem with the amount remitted; a flat fee is charged for using the app and then paying in-person, and drawing on a choice of card or account is currently free of transfer fees.
**International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), RemitSCOPE – Remittance markets and opportunities – Asia and the Pacific (PDF)
