PalawanPay

What PalawanPay does

PalawanPay is a BSP-licensed electronic money issuer operated by PPS-PEPP Financial Services Corporation, a subsidiary of the Palawan Group of Companies (Palawan Pawnshop Group) — the self-described number one pawnshop and remittance center in the Philippines. The platform functions as the digital arm of the parent group's 3,500+ branches and 1,500+ Pera Padala agents, offering a single mobile wallet (iOS, Android, Huawei) that bundles cash-in/cash-out, domestic Pera Padala remittance, international remittance claims from partners including Remitly, EMQ, Japan Remit, Instant Cash, Uniteller, IntelExpress, and Calsons, bills payment to 600+ billers, e-loading, QRPh scan-to-pay, pawn renewal, Palawan ProtekTodo insurance, PalawanPay Rewards, a PalaSave digital savings account (with RCBC), and a Virtual Visa Card.

Name

PalawanPay

Legal name

PPS-PEPP Financial Services Corporation

Website

https://palawanpay.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PalawanPay is a BSP-licensed Philippine e-wallet operated by PPS-PEPP Financial Services Corporation, offering cash-in/out, remittance, bills payment, QR payments, savings, insurance, and pawn renewal to 20M+ Filipinos via an app backed by 3,500+ Palawan Pawnshop branches.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Payments

akta.pro primary industry

General-Purpose Digital Wallets (P2P + Merchant) (FSAMAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

QR Code Payments Wallets (FSAMAEAC), Consumer P2P International Remittances (FSAGAKAA)

Keywords

• Mobile wallet
• Digital payments
• Money remittance
• Bills payment
• E-money issuance

Headquarters

HQ city

Puerto Princesa

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Send Money Transaction Fees: 1% transaction fee for sending money to Palawan Express Pera Padala branches, regardless of amount. ₱5 flat fee for sending money to other banks and e-wallets via InstaPay.
2. Cash-Out Transaction Fees: 1% transaction fee for cashing out from PalawanPay at Palawan Pawnshop branches, PalawanPay Money Shops, and Remittance Sub-Agents.
3. Bills Payment Processing: Fees charged for processing bill payments to over 600 billers including utilities, credit cards, loans, insurance, and government payments.
4. E-loading Commission: Commission from processing airtime reload transactions. The service offers zero convenience fee for e-loading but generates commission from telecom partners.
5. Virtual Visa Card Interchange: Interchange fees earned from Virtual Visa Card transactions where users pay using the PalawanPay Visa card at merchants.
6. Pawn Renewal Fees: ₱20 fee for online pawn ticket renewal processed through the PalawanPay app.
7. International Remittance Processing: Fees for processing inbound international remittances through partner networks (Remitly, EMQ, Japan Remit, etc.) and outbound Pera Padala Abroad service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PalawanPay is a mobile e-wallet and electronic money service operated by PPS-PEPP Financial Services Corporation that lets Filipino consumers cash-in, send money (Pera Padala), cash-out, pay bills to 600+ billers, scan-to-pay via QRPh, reload airtime, claim international remittances, save via PalaSave, spend via Virtual Visa, renew pawn tickets, and buy insurance, with full offline support through 3,500+ Palawan Pawnshop branches and 1,500+ agents. It also provides business-side disbursement/payroll and collections services to corporations, government agencies, and SMEs.

Product overview

PalawanPay is a mobile financial super-app serving as the digital wallet product of Palawan Pawnshop Group (Palawan Express Pera Padala), the number one pawnshop and remittance center in the Philippines. The app is architected as a unified platform offering consumer financial services (Cash-In, Cash-Out, Pera Padala/Send Money, E-loading, Bills to Pay, Scan to Pay, International Remittance, Pera Padala Abroad, Palawan ProtekTodo Insurance, PalawanPay Rewards, Pawn Renewal) alongside a Virtual Visa Card for online payments and PalaSave — a digital savings account in partnership with RCBC. For business customers, the platform provides Disbursement/Payroll, Collections (QR codes, upcoming POS and API), Palawan Express Agents network, and PalawanPay MoneyShop. The entire ecosystem is backed by 3,500+ Palawan Pawnshop branches and 1,500+ agents nationwide, positioning PalawanPay as a second-wallet alternative that bridges digital financial services with the physical branch infrastructure of one of the Philippines' largest financial services networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Palawan ProtekTodo Insurance: Insurance product offered through the PalawanPay app for protektodo coverage
• PalawanPay Rewards
• PalaSave
• PalawanPay Virtual Visa Card
• PalawanPay MoneyShop
• ProtekPadala

Products and services

• PalawanPay Mobile Wallet App Mobile e-wallet application serving as a 'second wallet' that consolidates cash-in/cash-out, send money, e-loading, bills payment, QR scan-to-pay, international remittance, pawn renewal, savings, virtual Visa, and insurance in one app, backed by 3,500+ Palawan Pawnshop branches and 1,500+ agents nationwide.
• Cash-In Service allowing users to load Philippine Pesos into their PalawanPay wallet via over-the-counter cash deposits at Palawan Pawnshop branches (capped at ₱50,000 per transaction) or via free InstaPay transfers from other banks and e-wallets.
• Cash-Out Service enabling users to convert their PalawanPay wallet balance to physical cash at over-the-counter Palawan Pawnshop branches, PalawanPay Money Shops, or Remittance Sub-Agents, with a 1% transaction fee.
• Pera Padala (Send Money) Domestic money transfer service allowing users to send funds to other PalawanPay wallets, to other banks and e-wallets via InstaPay (₱15 flat fee), or to over-the-counter Palawan Express Pera Padala branches for cash claim (1% fee).
• E-loading Electronic airtime loading service offering over 1,000 load options with zero convenience fee for all major Philippine telecom networks, accessible directly from the PalawanPay app.
• Bills to Pay Bills payment service supporting over 600 billers across cable/internet, transportation, credit cards, water, electricity, government, insurance, school, telco, loans, and real estate categories.
• Scan to Pay (QRPh) QR code-based payment service enabling users to scan any QRPh logo at participating merchants nationwide to make in-store payments directly from their PalawanPay wallet.
• International Remittance (Inbound) Service allowing users in the Philippines to claim inbound international remittances from global partners including Remitly, EMQ, Japan Remit, Instant Cash, Uniteller, IntelExpress, and Calsons Remittance directly through the PalawanPay app.
• Pera Padala Abroad Outbound international remittance service enabling users to send money abroad to loved ones starting from ₱300 with multiple delivery and send-money options.
• Palawan ProtekTodo Insurance Insurance product offering various ProtekTODO insurance plans purchasable through the PalawanPay app, including CTPL insurance offered in partnership with Oona Philippines; also available on Lazada and Shopee.
• PalawanPay Virtual Visa Card Virtual payment card issued to verified PalawanPay users, linked to their wallet, accepted for online purchases anywhere Visa is taken, with biometric login, fraud protection, and 0.5% cashback on spends up to ₱1,000 during promotional periods.
• PalaSave Digital Savings Account Digital savings account offered in partnership with RCBC (Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation) inside the PalawanPay app; funding and withdrawals are processed exclusively through the user's PalawanPay Wallet and approved under RCBC's terms.
• Pawn Renewal Digital pawn renewal service allowing users to renew existing pawned items through the PalawanPay app 24/7 from anywhere at ₱20 per renewal, complementing the 3,500+ Palawan Pawnshop branches nationwide.
• Disbursement / Payroll Business service enabling government agencies, corporate employers, and lending/financial institutions to disburse payroll, government aid, and loan payouts to recipients who can claim funds at any Palawan Express Pera Padala branch or receive directly to their PalawanPay wallet.
• Collections Business payment collection solution offering QR code-based collection for individual sellers and SMEs today, with POS terminal and an online payment processing system via API integration coming soon for online businesses.
• Palawan Express Pera Padala Agents Program Distribution partner program with 1,500+ agents nationwide providing money remittance, bills payment, and PalawanPay transactions in areas without branch coverage, forming part of the largest remittance network in the Philippines.
• PalawanPay MoneyShop Partner Program Business partner program enabling SMEs to become PalawanPay Money Shop locations for cash-in and cash-out services, with onboarding via form submission and document uploads, debuted at Ultra Mega Expo 2024.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20 million+ Filipinos use PalawanPay as their 'second wallet'
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• JRS ExpressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalawan Group of Companies partnered with JRS Express to deploy QR Ph payment services through PalawanPay at JRS Express branches nationwide. The integration transforms courier stations into multi-service financial hubs, enabling users to pay bills and execute financial tasks alongside logistics services. Supports Philippines' cashless economy goals.
• RemitlycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational remittance partner allowing PalawanPay users to claim inbound international remittances through the app. Users select Remitly as their international remittance partner and enter claim code/reference number to receive funds.
• EMQcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational remittance partner integrated with PalawanPay for cross-border money transfer services. Users can claim remittances from EMQ through the PalawanPay app.
• Japan RemitcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapan-based international remittance partner enabling users in the Philippines to claim remittances from Japan through PalawanPay app.
• Instant CashcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational remittance partner for overseas Filipino worker fund transfers. Integrated with PalawanPay for seamless claim experience.
• UnitellercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational remittance partner enabling cross-border payment services with PalawanPay users as recipients.
• IntelExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational remittance partner integrated with PalawanPay for international money transfer claims.
• Calsons RemittancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational remittance partner integrated with PalawanPay for cross-border fund transfers.
• RCBC (Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCBC partners with PalawanPay to offer PalaSave digital savings account through the PalawanPay app. PalaSave is a savings account opened and maintained within PalawanPay, subject to RCBC's approval and terms. Funds withdrawals are credited solely to the user's PalawanPay wallet.
• Oona PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalawan Group of Companies and Oona Philippines joined forces to offer affordable CTPL (Comprehensive Third Party Liability) insurance products through PalawanPay platform.
• University of BaguiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalawan Group of Companies partnered with University of Baguio for an environmental initiative: growing 1 million trees across the Philippines under 'A Greener Future, One Tree at a Time' program.
• Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)coreOthersPalawanPay operates under PPS-PEPP Financial Services Corporation, an electronic money issuer duly registered and licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Subject to BSP regulations including AML-TFP compliance and KYC requirements.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GrabPay Philippines: GrabPay is the in-app wallet of Grab's super-app in the Philippines, offering cashless payments, P2P transfers, and bill payment. It competes with PalawanPay in consumer digital payments, particularly among urban ride-hailing and food delivery users.
• Coins.ph: Coins.ph is a Philippine fintech offering e-wallet, crypto on-ramp/off-ramp, and remittance services. It overlaps with PalawanPay in cash-in/cash-out agent networks, P2P transfers, and serves a similar underbanked/OFW segment.
• ShopeePay: ShopeePay is the wallet layer of Sea Group's Shopee Philippines e-commerce platform, offering in-app payments, top-ups, and P2P transfers. It competes with PalawanPay for online merchant and consumer payment share.
• TrueMoney Philippines: TrueMoney is an Ascend Money (Charoen Pokphand Group) e-wallet with a strong Philippines presence, particularly in remittance and cash-in/cash-out agent services. It competes directly with PalawanPay's Pera Padala and cash-access offerings.
• Maya: Maya (formerly PayMaya) is the Philippines' second-largest e-wallet, operated by Voyager Innovations (PLDT-backed). It competes directly with PalawanPay in digital payments, QR scan-to-pay, savings, and remittance, and offers integrated banking services through Maya Bank.
• GCash: GCash is the Philippines' leading e-wallet, operated by Mynt (Globe Telecom/Ant Group). It directly competes with PalawanPay across P2P transfers, QR payments, bills payment, savings, and remittance, and is the primary head-to-head competitor for the 20M+ Filipino wallet user base.

Regional players

• DANA Indonesia: DANA is one of Indonesia's leading e-wallets, offering QR payments, P2P transfers, and bill payment. It is a comparable Southeast Asian emerging-market wallet operating in a similar underbanked/cash-light environment, though in a different geography.
• Touch 'n Go eWallet: Touch 'n Go eWallet is Malaysia's dominant e-wallet with strong QR payment, remittance, and bill payment adoption. It is a Southeast Asian peer illustrating the scale a national QR/wallet platform can achieve when integrated with transit and merchant rails.

Broad incumbents

• BPI Mobile: BPI Mobile is the mobile banking app of Bank of the Philippine Islands, one of the country's largest universal banks. It competes with PalawanPay for consumer payments, transfers, and savings, and represents an incumbent bank-led alternative in the same wallet/payments space.
• RCBC Mobile / DiskarTech: RCBC is PalawanPay's banking partner for PalaSave but also operates its own mobile banking app and DiskarTech mass-market wallet. As a partner-competitor hybrid, RCBC benchmarks the bank-led alternative to PalawanPay's digital offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PalawanPay
• Xx.com/palawanpay

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PalawanPay