Beyond Cash: How Zigi App Is Digitizing Guatemala's Lifeline

MIAMI, FL and GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA – December 02, 2025

A transformative partnership between U.S. remittance leader International Money Express (Intermex) and Guatemala’s largest financial institution, Banco Industrial, is set to reshape the country's economic landscape. The launch of the Zigi App, a digital financial platform powered by Intermex, marks a pivotal shift away from the decades-old model of cash-based remittances and toward a future of integrated digital finance for millions of Guatemalans.

This is more than just a new app; it's a fundamental rewiring of the infrastructure that underpins a critical economic lifeline. For a nation where remittances accounted for nearly 20% of GDP in 2024—a staggering sum exceeding $20 billion—the move from physical cash pickups to instant digital deposits represents a profound evolution in how families access and manage their money.

Redefining a $20 Billion Lifeline

For generations, the remittance process has been a ritual of waiting. Recipients often travel to physical locations, stand in long lines, and face security risks associated with carrying large sums of cash. The Zigi App, integrated with Intermex’s Amigo Paisano app for senders, aims to dismantle this friction-filled system. Now, a sender in the United States can direct funds to a recipient in Guatemala using only their phone number. The money arrives instantly and securely in the recipient's Zigi or Banco Industrial account, available 24/7.

The initiative directly addresses the scale of the market. With remittance inflows doubling over the past 15 years, the sheer volume of cash transactions has created significant logistical and security challenges. By digitizing this flow, the partnership not only enhances convenience but also brings a massive informal flow of capital into the formal financial system.

“With Zigi, remittances become more than just a transfer. They become a connection between families and opportunity,” stated Marcelo Theodoro, Chief Product, Marketing and Digital Officer at Intermex. This vision underscores the transition from a simple monetary transaction to an enabling financial event.

A Calculated Digital Gambit for Market Dominance

This launch is no isolated experiment for Intermex. It is the culmination of a multi-year, data-driven digital strategy. The Miami-based company has been vocal about its omnichannel approach, but recent performance metrics reveal a clear and decisive pivot toward digital. In the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, Intermex reported a staggering 71.7% year-over-year surge in digital transactions, with digital revenue climbing over 48%. Critically, the company has confirmed that its digital channels now boast higher profitability margins than its legacy retail network.

This strategic focus is backed by significant investment, including an increased digital marketing spend and the strategic acquisition of Guatemala-based remittance company Amigo Paisano in late 2024. By partnering with Banco Industrial, Intermex is executing a textbook strategic play: combining its advanced digital infrastructure and cross-border expertise with the unparalleled trust, brand recognition, and extensive network of Guatemala's leading bank. This synergy creates a formidable competitive moat against other digital players like Xoom and Remitly, which often rely on third-party retail partners for cash-out services.

From Lifeline to Launchpad: The Financial Inclusion Engine

Perhaps the most significant long-term impact of the Zigi App lies beyond the remittance transfer itself. The platform is explicitly designed as an on-ramp to the formal economy for a population that has been historically underserved.

“Zigi is not just a remittance tool. It is a gateway to financial progress,” explained Michel Caputi, CEO of Zigi and Head of Strategic Alliances at Banco Industrial. Once the funds are in their Zigi account, users gain access to a suite of financial tools. They can make digital payments, transfer funds to others, and build savings. Most importantly, the platform offers a pathway to apply for digital credit products.

This final piece is revolutionary. By transacting within the formal system, users begin to build a verifiable financial history—a critical prerequisite for obtaining loans for education, starting a small business, or buying a home. It transforms remittances from a source of subsistence into a foundation for wealth creation and economic mobility. This initiative perfectly aligns with Banco Industrial's long-standing commitment to digital transformation and its “Plan Estratégico Sostenible 2025–2028,” which prioritizes financial inclusion as a cornerstone of national development.

The Technology Powering the Transformation

Underpinning this entire ecosystem is a sophisticated yet user-friendly technology stack. The platform, developed by Intermex Digital Solutions, prioritizes a seamless user experience, abstracting away the complexities of cross-border finance. The ability to transact with just a phone number eliminates a major barrier for users unfamiliar with complex bank account numbers or SWIFT codes.

Further differentiating the Zigi App is its quiet integration of advanced technology. Banco Industrial had previously integrated the blockchain-based solution SukuPay into Zigi to optimize cross-border transactions. This allows for near-instant settlement and a remarkably low flat fee of just $0.99 for international transfers, without requiring the end-user to have any knowledge of digital assets or wallets. It's a prime example of leveraging cutting-edge technology not for its own sake, but to solve real-world problems of cost and speed.

This innovation is unfolding within an increasingly supportive regulatory climate. While Guatemala is still developing a comprehensive fintech law, the nation's central bank and the Superintendency of Banks (SIB) have shown a progressive stance, promoting sandbox frameworks and championing a National Financial Inclusion Strategy that recognizes the vital role of technology. This creates a favorable environment for ventures like Zigi to thrive.

As Intermex and Banco Industrial begin their push for wider adoption through educational campaigns and product enhancements, they are not merely launching a new service. They are laying down the digital rails for a more inclusive, efficient, and dynamic Guatemalan economy, demonstrating how strategic innovation at the intersection of finance and technology can turn a simple lifeline into a powerful engine for growth.