Source: Pomelo IG
It should be easy to send money to family back home. So many people grind every day to support loved ones in the Philippines, only to face high fees, long waits, or inconvenient pickup schedules.
In 2022 alone, more than $13 billion was sent back from Filipino workers in the United States. A huge percentage of this was through cash pickups, as online remittance has been a playground for shady operations and hidden fees preying on unsuspecting or uninformed users.
Pomelo is ready to change the game with a simple, affordable, and secure way for Filipinos to send money back home.
Pomelo’s Solution
With a clear, uncomplicated way for Filipino workers to send remittances digitally, Pomello focuses on transparency, security, and convenience.
Here’s how it works:
Apply for a Card: The first step involves the sender applying for a Pomelo card. You must be 18+ and may need to link it to a bank account or provide a security deposit, depending on your credit score.
Authorize Receivers: Once the account has been accepted, the sender authorizes up to three people in the Philippines as receivers. These people are usually their dependents or family members back home.
Issue Custom Cards: Pomelo then issues custom cards to these authorized people in the Philippines (and one to you in the US). These cards are linked to the sender's Pomelo account. The receivers can start spending right away, eliminating the need for a lengthy bank transaction or a cash pick-up.
Pay Off the Bill: Every month, the sender gets a bill, just like a credit card statement. They must ensure to pay off this bill every month. The bill includes the money spent by the family in the Philippines, allowing the sender to keep a close eye on their expenses.
This system not only simplifies the process but also adds a layer of security, makes record-keeping easier, and eliminates the high fees of typical money transfers.
Key Features
When it comes to designing a money transfer system, there were three problems to solve:
High fees
Inconvenience (or inaccessibility)
Wait times
Instead of just undercutting fees and adding extra hours of service or pickup locations, Pomelo has developed a brand-new solution. Here are the three key features:
No Transfer Fees
One of the most attractive features of Pomelo is that it eliminates the transfer fees entirely, unlike most remittance services. With Pomelo, there is no fee on the transfer or additional interest, as would be the case with a typical credit card. This benefit means that more of your money goes directly to the intended receivers.
For example, a $300 cash pickup from traditional services has fees like:
$4.99 for Remitly
$5.99 for MoneyGram
$6.99 for Western Union
Pomelo offers the same service at no cost. Users get to save a significant amount of money that would have otherwise been lost to fees.
How does Pomelo make money, then?
The revenue model is actually based on the merchant end of the transaction. Pomelo cards can be used anywhere Mastercard, Google Pay, and Apple Pay are accepted.
Whenever a purchase is made, Pomelo earns a small fee from the merchant for providing the payment service. This ensures that the cost of remittance is significantly lowered for the hardworking Filipinos abroad without compromising the company's profitability.
No Need for a Cash-Out Network
Pomelo removes the necessity for a cash-out network completely, solving the inconvenience usually associated with remittance services. This is a game-changer, especially considering the following challenges tied to cash pickups:
Bank Hours: Most remittances require the beneficiary to pick up cash during bank hours. This can be inconvenient for many, especially for those with work commitments during the same hours.
Accessibility: Moreover, cash pickups may be completely inaccessible for some people. Those who are elderly, have mobility restrictions, or live in rural areas might find it hard to travel to the pickup locations.
Security: Carrying a large sum of cash also presents a risk. The receiver might be susceptible to theft or loss of their hard-earned money while traveling back home from the pickup location.
Pomelo has turned this model around. The money is transferred to a card that the receiver can use anywhere and at any time, just like a debit card.
The family back in the US simply pays off the amount spent on the card each month. This not only preserves convenience and accessibility but also adds an extra layer of security to the entire process. It's a win-win situation for both the sender and the receiver.
24/7 Availability
Traditional remittance services often come with a common frustration—delays. Whether it's due to the weekends, holidays, or periods of heavy transactions, there's always a chance of postponement. This can become a significant hassle, especially during emergencies when the money is desperately needed.
Pomelo addresses this issue head-on by offering 24/7 availability. Unlike regular remittance services, with Pomelo, there's no waiting around. The system is designed such that the money is always ready to be used. As long as the sender in the US has paid off the card, the receiver in the Philippines can spend it.
This revolutionary feature removes the stress of delays and ensures that your loved ones have access to funds anytime they need them. With Pomelo, holidays, weekends, or midnight emergencies don't stand in the way of supporting your family.
Benefits and Convenience
Pomelo brings many advantages to the remittance process while leveraging today's digital technology to make convenience a top priority.
Affordable and Hassle-Free Transfers
Unlike traditional money transfer services that charge hefty fees, Pomelo offers the remittance service with zero transfer fees, making it an affordable choice. Plus, it eliminates the usual complexities of remittance processes and presents a hassle-free way to send money from the US to the Philippines.
Quick and Secure Transactions
Pomelo transactions aren't bound by banker's hours, weekends, or public holidays. They happen instantly, 24/7, making it incredibly convenient. Furthermore, transactions are secure since funds are sent directly to authorized people who have their own Pomelo cards, reducing the risks common with cash transactions.
Source: Pomelo IG
App Access for Tracking
Pomelo provides an app that allows the sender to keep track of transactions. This gives them more control and better visibility on their remittance, helping them stay aware of how exactly the funds are being used. It's a perfect feature for those who love to stay updated and manage their money effectively.
Ease of Use
The receiver doesn't need to worry about financial logistics. There are no bank accounts to set up, no exchange rates to keep track of, and no cash pickups to schedule.
They simply spend as needed using the Pomelo card, just like any other payment card they're used to.
Budget Control
With Pomelo, you can set individual spending limits for each authorized card. This helps not only to regulate the spending of individual family members but also ensures the funds are distributed evenly.
It gives the sender control over their budget, assisting them in better financial planning and ensuring their hard-earned money is used wisely and judiciously.
Try Pomelo Today
Now that you have a sense of what Pomelo offers, why not try it for yourself? Say goodbye to inconvenient bank hours, high fees, and long waits. Say hello to seamless transactions, secure transfers, and round-the-clock availability.
You work hard for the money you make. Don't leave the safety and accessibility of your remittances to chance. Experience first-hand the benefits of Pomelo's revolutionary digital remittance service.
Trust us with your remittances, and let us make each dollar count. Sign up and experience the difference today!
Final Thoughts
We understand our readers at MarketingSource are smart, financially savvy, and always on the lookout for better ways to manage their finances. You value solutions that save time and money while providing exceptional services.
Pomelo fits perfectly into this ethos. It's designed to offer a more affordable, efficient, and user-friendly remittance service. It treads away from the traditional time-bound and costly remittance methods, paving the way for a method that syncs with the digital, fast-paced, 21st-century way of life.