FinTech Magazine September 2024 | Page 26

“ Having access to financial services means Filipinos have access to opportunities to improve their lives and those of their families ”

Her move to Mynt ( GCash ) in 2020 coincided with the global COVID- 19 pandemic , a time where mobile payments and digital finance boomed . Particularly in the Philippines , there was an increased need for contactless and digital financial services , causing organisations like GCash to seize a gap in the market .
The app now offers solutions that suit a broad range of financial needs . Martha has overseen the company during this time and turned it into an opportunity for millions of users to make purchases and earn money .
This has led GCash app to surpass a US $ 5bn valuation ( as of August 2024 ), in addition to officially being the leading Filipino financial super app . This is only fuelling Martha to continue powering ahead with fintech transformations .
“ People needed a contactless way to pay for their essentials and GCash provided a safe , easy and secure mode of payment ,” Martha says . “ The quarantine resulted in massive unemployment and Filipinos turned to online means like Viber , Facebook and Instagram selling groups to make a living .”
USING FINTECH TO FINANCIALLY EMPOWER COMMUNITIES Martha ’ s work with GCash led to her achieving several awards , including CEO of the Year at the IDC Future Enterprise Awards in the Philippines in 2021 . This ultimately highlights how serving the underserved is what drives GCash forward in its mission .
Within the Philippines , the app has now become completely integrated into everyday life . For Martha this doesn ’ t just enable easier money exchanges , but is a true path to empowering people towards financial freedom .
As Martha explains in an interview with Tatler : “ As long as there are Filipinos
26 September 2024