Peigo joins Forces with Félix to Launch WhatsApp-Powered Remittances in Ecuador

Peigo and Félix have formed a strategic partnership to streamline remittance transfers from the United States to Ecuador through a fully digital experience powered by WhatsApp. The agreement also marks Félix's official expansion into the Ecuadorian market.

Partnership brings WhatsApp-powered remittances to Ecuador

Peigo, Banco Guayaquil's digital financial platform, announced an integration with Félix, the fintech founded in 2020 by Bernardo García and Manuel Godoy, to simplify the way Ecuadorians receive remittances from relatives living in the United States.

Through the new integration, Peigo users can generate a remittance request directly from the app and share a link via WhatsApp with their family member in the U.S. The sender then completes the transfer digitally through Félix, creating an end-to-end online experience.

The companies explained that the solution was designed around the way migrant families already communicate, recognizing that most remittance transfers begin with a conversation. By allowing recipients to initiate the process, the partnership aims to reduce friction in one of Ecuador's most significant financial flows.

Ecuador's remittance market reaches record levels

The partnership comes as Ecuador continues to register historic remittance inflows.

In 2025, the country received US$7.7 billion in remittances, the highest level recorded since 1993 and an 18.2% increase compared to the previous year.

Of that total, US$6 billion, representing 77.8%, originated from the United States, reinforcing its position as the country's primary remittance source.

Remittances accounted for 5.9% of Ecuador's GDP and became the country's second-largest source of foreign currency, surpassed only by shrimp exports.

Santiago Lasso, CEO of Peigo, said the initiative aligns with the company's objective of expanding access to simple and secure financial services.

"At Banco Guayaquil, we make life easier for millions of Ecuadorians by bringing them closer to simple and secure financial solutions. Launching this partnership through Peigo allows us to expand access to digital experiences for people receiving remittances from the United States, simplifying the process and reducing friction in an activity that is essential for thousands of Ecuadorian households," he said.

Félix continues its regional expansion

For Félix, Ecuador becomes the latest market in its regional growth strategy after launching operations in Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.

The fintech processed more than US$1 billion in remittances during 2024 and reported a twelvefold increase in revenue between 2023 and this year.

Its platform is built around WhatsApp, allowing users to transform everyday conversations into remittance transactions completed within seconds.

Claudia Garavini, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Félix, highlighted the importance of the expansion.

"Entering Ecuador alongside Banco Guayaquil is a very important step for Félix. Remittances are a way of caring for family from a distance, and we believe that experience should be simple, clear, and built around the communication channels people already use every day," she said.