Cashless is Queen: Spearheading the Digital Economy Through GCash, According to Mynt President and CEO Martha Sazon

While GCash grew in popularity during the pandemic, Mynt President and CEO Martha Sazon reveals how the app has become so much more: a catalyst for a cashless Philippine economy.

With millions of users to date—and three times the number of Filipino users versus its pre-pandemic numbers—GCash has undoubtedly established itself as a popular mobile wallet and financial services platform. In fact, it proudly holds the title of the #1 Finance Super App in the Philippines with the most downloads and the highest number of monthly active users.

Established in 2005—first as a short messaging service (SMS) platform in 2005 when texting was the main mode of communication—GCash underwent a transformation in 2012 when it was the first to introduce the QR payment system in the Philippines. More than that, GCash made its mark during the pandemic. At a time when lockdowns and restrictions put the country at a standstill, the app was the go-to for buying essentials, for businesses to buy and sell, and for donations to be sent to loved ones or those in need.

But even now, it is still going strong—both as a catalyst for a cashless economy and to provide financial inclusion to Filipinos everywhere.

"While GCash has empowered millions of Filipinos with access to financial services, we are seeing that our impact goes beyond the total number of accounts opened—to now disrupting the demographics of account ownership," Martha Sazon, the President and CEO of GCash, says proudly.

In this exclusive interview with The Business Manual, she shares how GCash plans to do just that.

Hitting the Ground Running

Known for her grit, tenacity, and deep knowledge of the Filipino consumer, Martha's sharp business acumen and unique brand of leadership were honed by her experiences in various industries. "Right after college, my first job was in banking. Although the pay was really good, I realized that I had a passion for marketing and I was willing to take a pay cut just to move," Martha begins.