Cross-border mobile payments network TransferTo and banking software provider Fern Software have both been awarded a grant as a part of the United Nations Capital Development’s Shaping Inclusive Finance Transformation (SHIFT) Challenge Fund.
The goal of the SHIFT Challenge Fund is to leverage remittances to improve the economic power of women in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam. TransferTo and Fern Software have been summoned to deliver seamless money transfer solutions to underbanked individuals in this region. The two will use the funds to combine TransferTo’s global network, which links mobile operators, money transfer operators, digital wallet providers, financial institutions, NGOs, and merchants, with Fern Software’s global microfinance solution software. Ultimately, the companies plan to accelerate TransferTo’s entry into Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam and enable microfinance institutions to become money transfer recipients on TransferTo’s cross-border money transfer network.
TransferTo CEO, Peter De Caluwe said that the company is “fortunate” to bring its payment system into the new regions. “Our goal is to enable access to digital financial services, especially for women who represent over 50% of the population in these markets, yet lack access to traditional banking … we can drive financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment across the region, and globally,” he said.
Fern Software Managing Director APMEA, Debbie Watkins said, “The valued support of UNCDF in connecting the TransferTo Network to ours will enable migrant workers for the first time to send transfers directly to microfinance institution loan or savings accounts, giving them control in how their hard-earned salaries are put to use and increasing accessibility for their family members.”
TransferTo most recently demonstrated its Mobile Money Hub at FinovateFall 2015. Earlier this month, the company was selected by driver service Grab to power real-time earnings payouts for Grab drivers. In June, TransferTo partnered with the MallforAfrica to provide African shoppers with access to retailers in Europe and the U.S. TransferTo was founded in 2005 and has raised $6.5 million.
Founded in 1979, Fern Software demoed BayTree, a scalable “Pay as you Grow” API Banking CRM software service, at FinovateFall 2015. Earlier this year, the company made its platform available in Russian. Eamon Scullin is CEO and founder.