South San Francisco, Calif. - Everyday the numbers rise - jobs lost, foreclosed homes in almost every block, prices of goods and services. Plus, more and more companies close and workers lose their jobs.

By the end of March 2009, the total number of unemployed persons in the United States has reached 13.2 million or 8.5% of the nation's workforce, up from the 8.1%, or 12.5 million, the previous month. From April 13 to April 18 alone, the Department of Labor received 640,000 first-time claims for unemployment insurance.

These record unemployment figures give proof that U.S. employers continue to be hit by the recession and are forced to let go of their workers. It is inevitable now for American consumers to hold on to their hard-earned cash, especially as their buying power continues to fall.

Mindful of this worsening situation, the South San Francisco-based money remittance and cargo firm LBC Mundial Corporation (LBC USA) is offering its customers a respite from the economic turmoil.

LBC USA is empowering its customers to make choices on how to spend their hard-earned money.

Starting May 1, every money remittance customer can choose how much to pay in service fees through LBC's first-ever tiered pricing plan for its money remittance services.

Family ties

LBC USA understands that, despite the dismal situation of the economy, Filipinos in America who have family connections in the Philippines will continue to nurture their roots.

They do this through regular financial support for their loved ones back home, albeit in smaller amounts in recent months.

For many US-based Filipinos who are grappling with the effects of a distressed economy like rising mortgage payments, or worst jobs loss, this continued financial support for their loved ones in the Philippines has not been easy.

New pricing

Through the new tiered pricing plan, LBC customers can now enjoy lower service fees for the company's money remittance services.

Beginning May 1, LBC USA customers in the U.S. can send money to anywhere in the Philippines for as low as $3 per transaction. The $3 transaction fee applies only to remittance $100 and below. For bigger amounts, the sender can choose from the various levels available from LBC.

Below are the service fees and the corresponding amount of money remittance:

Amount = $ 00.01 to $100.99 , Service fee is $3.00

Amount $ 101 to $ 200.99 Service fee is $6.00

Amount$201 to $500.00 , Service fee is $8.00

Amount =$501 to $3,000.00 , Service fee is $10.00

Amount =$3,000.01 and up additional $5.00 for every fraction of $1,000

Hugo Bonilla, LBC USA's president and CEO explains that the lower fees and new tiered pricing are aimed to make sending money home less of a strain.

"We understand what our customers are going through. We know that it has not been easy for them to send money with the many problems caused by our weak economy," notes Hugo Bonilla, LBC USA Mundial's president and CEO.

"Filipinos in the U.S will continue to send money to their family and loved ones in the Philippines regardless of their own money woes. We hope that by lowering our fees, LBC USA is helping them in helping their families," Mr. Bonilla further explains.

The new tiered pricing and lower fees for money remittance are now available in most LBC USA branches in the U.S.

For details on the new pricing, please call LBC USA at 1-800-3385424 or visit www.teamlbc.com for the location of LBC USA's 60 branches in the U.S.