Intra-regional migration in the Americas has increased since the 1990s and doubled between 2000 and 2017.[1] Ecuador’s transformation in the last ten years from a traditionally migrant sending to a migrant host and transit nation further illustrates this growing pattern of intra-regional migration.
This report analyzes the role of money transfer intermediaries on migrants sending remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean. We look at the current modernization of the payments industry, specifically as it relates to digital payments, analyzes trends in transfer costs, and discusses the proposed changes to the ‘Remittance Rule,’ including the consequences they may have on remittance senders.