Zapp, a money transfer service that operates through WhatsApp, announced the expansion of its services to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. With this expansion, Central American migrants in the United States can now send money to family and friends back home directly through WhatsApp. Recipients in the new markets can choose to receive their money through either a direct bank deposit or cash pickup at a broad network of banks and retail locations.
In Guatemala, users can access more than 15,000 banks and payment locations, including G&T Continental, Banrural, Banco Industrial, Elektra, and Banco Azteca. Transfer fees are fixed: $4.74 for bank deposits and $5.74 for cash withdrawals for amounts from $5 to $2,999. In Honduras, more than 8,000 bank deposit and cash withdrawal locations are available, including Banco Atlántida, Ficohsa, BAC Credomatic, and Elektra. Fees in Honduras are tiered based on transfer amount, starting at $5.99 for up to $200 and increasing to $32.99 for up to $3,000.
In El Salvador, recipients can access more than 6,000 bank branches and affiliated businesses, such as Banco Agrícola, Banco Cuscatlán, Super Selectos, and Walmart. Fees for bank deposits start at $4.99 for $100–$150 and go up to $19.99 for up to $1,500, with cash withdrawals incurring an additional $1 surcharge. Nicaragua offers more than 5,000 banks and businesses, including Banpro, Banco Lafise, and BAC Credomatic, with fees starting at $5.99 for $100–$200 and increasing to $33.99 for up to $3,000.
This expansion addresses a significant need among Central American migrants, who sent over $23 billion in remittances to their home countries in 2021, according to the World Bank. Zapp's integration with WhatsApp eliminates the need for users to download a separate app or visit a physical location, offering a simple and secure way to send money. The service operates as an authorized agent of Spectrum Global Payment Solutions, Inc. (NMLS ID 937914), a licensed money transmitter in Central America, and every transaction is covered by a money-back guarantee. Zapp is not affiliated with Meta or WhatsApp; it simply uses WhatsApp as a communication channel.
