Western Union Says It Has Doubled the Money It Moves in Peru
Peru · Money
Key Facts
- Growth Western Union’s country manager in Peru said, “We have doubled the volumes we moved two years ago.” The company did not provide an absolute figure in dollars or number of operations.
- Digital Digital transactions rose from about 10 percent to more than 20 percent of all transfers sent out of Peru. This marks a shift toward online and mobile channels.
- Network Western Union operates 78 of its own outlets in Peru and a network of 1,400 points of sale. These include partner agents and bank branches.
- Revenue Currency exchange has become the company’s second-largest source of revenue in Peru. It has overtaken bill payment services in that ranking.
- The setting Latin America represents about 11 percent of Western Union’s global volume. Peru is among the main receiving countries for remittances in the region.
- Record Remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean reached a record US$173.733 billion in 2025, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). That figure covers regional inflows for the full year.
Western Union says it has doubled its Peru volumes in two years, while digital transfers have grown to more than 20 percent of outbound traffic.
Western Union says it has doubled the money volumes it moves in Peru over the last two years. The company also reports that digital transactions now make up more than 20 percent of its outbound transfers from the country, up from around 10 percent. The statements came from its country manager in an interview with the Peruvian business daily Gestion, and related coverage appeared on 12 August 2026.
Doubling volumes and digital shift
Western Union’s country manager for Peru told the business daily Gestion that the company has doubled its volumes over the past two years. The exact quote: “Hemos duplicado los volúmenes que movíamos hace dos años.”
No absolute figure was given. The company did not disclose whether the doubled volume was in dollars, number of transfers, or a combination of both.
The interview was published by Gestion, with related coverage appearing on 12 August 2026, according to a press roundup.
Separately, Western Union said that in Peru, digital transactions accounted for more than 20 percent of transfers sent out of the country. Two years earlier, that share was around 10 percent.
Network and revenue mix in Peru
Western Union operates 78 of its own outlets in Peru. It also runs a network of 1,400 points of sale across the country.
Those points include partner agents, banks, and other retail locations. The company did not break down how many of the 1,400 are owned versus franchised.
The company also reported a shift in its revenue sources. Currency exchange has now become its second-largest revenue line in Peru.
That means money conversion has surpassed bill payment services in importance for the local business. No revenue figures were shared.
Regional and market context
Western Union said Latin America accounts for about 11 percent of its global volume. Peru ranks among the main receiving countries for remittances in the region.
The broader remittance market in Latin America and the Caribbean hit a record US$173.733 billion in 2025, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
That same IDB-backed analysis suggests regional flows are still growing in 2026, but at a slower pace than the year before. The margin to repeat the previous jump is smaller.
For context, the record 2025 figure compares with US$156 billion in 2024, the IDB had reported earlier. The 2026 growth rate was not specified in the available sources.
What the numbers do and do not say
The company’s statement mixes two different flows. The doubled volume refers to transfers sent out of Peru, while the regional data on remittances covers money received by Latin American countries.
These are different flows and should not be read as equivalent. The company also did not give a baseline for the doubling, so we cannot calculate a new total.
The claim is an internal company statement, not an audited figure. Gestion published the interview, but Western Union did not release supporting financial documents.
Readers should treat the doubling as a self-reported figure. The digital share increase from 10 percent to over 20 percent is also a company claim.
Why this matters for expats and investors
For expats sending money to Peru, the shift to digital means faster and cheaper options are likely to expand. For investors, the move shows that Western Union sees Peru as a high-growth market.
The rise in digital transactions is part of a regional trend. Across Latin America, fintech services are taking share from traditional agents.
The record remittance flow of US$173.733 billion in 2025 shows the scale of money moving through the region. Western Union wants to capture more of that flow through its digital channels.
If you live in Peru and rely on remittances, watch for pricing changes. If you invest in financial stocks, note that digital adoption in remittances is growing faster than overall volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Western Union give a dollar figure for its doubled Peru volumes?
No. The country manager said volumes doubled in two years, but no absolute dollar figure or transaction count was provided. The claim is self-reported.
How much of Western Union’s Peru transfers are now digital?
More than 20 percent of transfers sent out of Peru are digital, up from about 10 percent two years ago. The company stated this in its interview with Gestion.
Where does currency exchange rank in Western Union’s Peru revenue?
Currency exchange is now the second-largest source of revenue for Western Union in Peru, having overtaken bill payment services. No revenue amounts were disclosed.
Were remittances to Latin America a record in 2025?
Yes. The Inter-American Development Bank reported remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean reached US$173.733 billion in 2025, a record. This figure covers money received, not sent out of Peru.
Connected Coverage
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Peru Raises 2026 Growth Outlook to 3.5%; Minister Cites Possible 4%
Sources: gestion.pe; pressperu.com; lanacion.com.ar; marketbeat.com; mayacomunicacion.com.mx
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