InstaPay is an electronic fund transfer (EFT) service that enables customers to transfer PHP funds almost instantly between accounts of participating BSP-supervised banks and non-bank e-money issuers in the Philippines. Launched in April 2018 as part of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)’s National Retail Payment System initiative, InstaPay operates 24/7, ensuring real-time crediting of funds. The service is governed by the Philippine Payment Management, Inc.

InstaPay supports low-value transactions up to PHP 50,000 per transaction, offering a convenient way for individuals and businesses to send and receive money using mobile banking apps or online banking platforms. The transaction fee is PHP 20 per credit transaction, but transfers up to PHP 1,000 can be made without any fees.

Business Use Case

Imagine two businesses, Manila Supplies and Cebu Retail. Manila Supplies needs to pay Cebu Retail for a shipment of goods. Here’s how the payment process works using InstaPay:

• Initiation: Manila Supplies initiates a payment to Cebu Retail through its bank’s mobile app, using InstaPay.
• Bank Processing: Manila Supplies’ bank verifies the transaction details and checks if there are sufficient funds in the account. Once confirmed, the bank sends the payment instruction through the InstaPay system.
• InstaPay Processing: The InstaPay system processes the payment instantly, ensuring the transaction is secure and the funds are available.
• Settlement: The payment is settled in real-time. The funds are transferred from Manila Supplies’ bank to Cebu Retail’s bank.
• Confirmation: Cebu Retail receives the payment in their account immediately. Both businesses receive confirmation of the transaction.

Benefits and Limitations

InstaPay offers the advantage of real-time, 24/7 fund transfers, making it highly convenient for businesses and individuals. It enhances financial inclusion by supporting a wide range of banks and e-wallets, and its instant settlement reduces the risk of payment delays.

However, InstaPay has some limitations, such as transaction fees that can accumulate for frequent users. Additionally, the PHP 50,000 transaction limit may be restrictive for larger business transactions, requiring multiple transfers for high-value payments. Some regions may also face connectivity issues that can affect the smooth operation of the service.

Curious to know the cost of sending supplier payments to the Philippines using local payment rails like PromptPay through Finofo?

Check it out here – finofo.com/tools/send-money/philippines