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Using a traditional business bank account for international transfers, such as paying overseas suppliers and staff, increases currency risk due to poor exchange rates and high fees. For international businesses, there are far better alternatives available.
Specialist business money transfer companies offer:
Better exchange rates
Low or no fees
Managed services
Currency risk options like forward contracts
International money transfers costs are made up of three core areas:
Mid-market rate
Also known as the interbank rate - this is the base amount of the transfer and the strength of the currency. Watching this figure in particular will help with risk management.
Exchange rate
The amount of money paid on top of the mid-market rate. This is where locking in a cost can have a cost impact in the thousands.
Fee
Any fees charged by banks or money transfer providers.
When making large business transactions across borders, all of these will impact the overall cost.
Using a money transfer provider is significantly cheaper than using a bank for a large transaction.
As an example for a $100,000 transfer to Europe:
Exchange rate + Fees | Amount received | |
|---|---|---|
Money transfer provider | 1.5% + $0 | ✅ €94798.61 |
Bank | 7% + $300 | ❌ €87200.03 |
What are the options and why
All of the services below offer as managed services.
This means that you will work with an account manager or contact at the provider to get the best deal. We advise you to do this with large business transactions as it aids in putting a strong currency risk strategy in place.
Company | Key points |
|---|---|
Specialist hands on risk management strategy | |
No fees over $500k, Competitive exchange | |
Tailor-made risk strategy with account manager | |
Hands-on risk and large payment management | |
Highest consistent customer reviews for large business transfers | |
Large payment option that comes with a range of multi-currency account features |
All of these are covered in more detail below.
Managed services often charge a higher exchange rate than digital only providers. This factors in the management of the account and whilst slightly more expensive, is highly recommended.
Leveraging experts in the market
Here are each of the suggested options for large transactions in detail.
Moneycorp is our number one choice for large business payments.
With a risk strategist, a business can work to ensure regular payments and large payments are made at the right time.
They will work with you to build a long term risk strategy.
Average exchange rate | 2% |
|---|---|
Forward contract | ✅ |
Limit orders | ✅ |
Stop loss | ✅ |
OCO orders | ✅ |
Account manager | ✅ |
Large business transfer estimations
Xe has a business offering similar to Moneycorp in that an account manager will work with you to develop a risk strategy. The company has some additional perks like an API that can be built into ERP systems. This allows for a nice combination of managing smaller transfers from an existing accounting software, up to running a risk management strategy.
Like most, it is possible to use forward contracts and limit orders to manage large international business transfers. Options support batch payments as well.
Xe on the whole, has a slightly better exchange rate than Moneycorp and promotes fee free transfers even at levels over $500,000.
The reason we put them second compared to Moneycorp is simply the detail you get up front from Moneycorp in managing currency risk.
This being said, Xe is on par with Moneycorp in almost every way and is a great choice for making large payments.
Average exchange rate | 1.3% |
|---|---|
Forward contract | ✅ |
Limit orders | ✅ |
Stop loss | ✅ |
OCO orders | ✅ |
Account manager | ✅ |
Xe: Large business transfer estimations
Currencies Direct is a managed money transfer service offering businesses some decent options in relation to large business payments.
As with Xe and Moneycorp, there are tailor made risk management strategies at a business level that will encompass any large payments.
This includes understanding the exposure a business has in any given market, and any expected future exposure.
Average exchange rate | 2.0% |
|---|---|
Forward contract | ✅ |
Limit orders | ✅ |
Stop loss | ✅ |
OCO orders | ✅ (offered as paired orders) |
Account manager | ✅ |
Currencies Direct is a managed money transfer service offering businesses some decent options in relation to large business payments.
As with Xe and Moneycorp, there are tailor made risk management strategies at a business level that will encompass any large payments.
This includes understanding the exposure a business has in any given market, and any expected future exposure.
Currencies Direct has pretty much all products, although OCO orders are offered more as Paired Orders - this does not necessarily make the offering different, but it should be confirmed up front in your strategy how they will work.
Forward contracts are presented with forecasting and market analysis as well.
Like Xe there are some additional benefits to using Currencies Direct for business payments, including batch payments and incoming payments. Small payments can also be self-managed in tandem within the Currencies Direct online platform.
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Regency FX is a managed service money transfer provider that works slightly differently to Xe in the sense that everything is managed by a contact there.
Forward contracts are offered up to 12 months in advance which allows for planning.
The company is slightly further down the list as it does not have some of the additions, like linking to accounting software, that others have.
That being said, Regency FX is a hugely reputable managed transfers provider across all industries and is a fantastic option for large international business transfers.
Average exchange rate | 1.5% |
|---|---|
Forward contract | ✅ |
Limit orders | ✅ |
Stop loss | ✅ |
OCO orders | ✅ |
Account manager | ✅ |
Regency FX: Large business transfer estimations
OFX Business offers competitive rates on large transfers at 1.3%, as well as a range of hedging and risk management services.
Forward contracts can run anywhere from 2 days to 12 months, across 19 currencies.
The currency offering is why OFX Business is lower down the list. The 19 offered, compared to Xe and Moneycorp offering global coverage makes them slightly weaker. Although it should be noted, major currencies like USD, EUR, GBP and CAD are all covered.
Average exchange rate | 1.3% |
|---|---|
Forward contract | ✅ |
Limit orders | ✅ |
Stop loss | ✅ |
OCO orders | ✅ |
Account manager | ✅ |
The company also offers a multi-currency account option. This is a nice perk and allows for currency management outside of regular or large transactions.
OFX: Large business transfer estimations
TorFX is most similar to Regency FX in offering large business transfers - a managed provider that offers this as part of a wider currency management strategy.
One of the main perks of TorFx vs some of the competitors on the list is that forward contracts can be locked in for up to 2 years, as a comparison OFX is 1 year.
The downside is you will, on average, pay a slightly higher exchange rate of around 2% on TorFX transfers. I believe this to be mitigated in the service offered however.
Average exchange rate | 2.0% |
|---|---|
Forward contract | ✅ |
Limit orders | ✅ |
Stop loss | ✅ |
OCO orders | ✅ |
Account manager | ✅ |
TorFX will give you a hands-on account manager that will provide you with regular updates on currency changes and will work to build a strategy with you. Many businesses praise TorFX for its hands-on management of transactions.
Considering forex risk management and the foreign exchange market
Leveraging foreign exchange risk strategies falls into a few categories:
Forward contracts
A forward contract is a way to lock in a price to exchange currencies at a future date. This can be years in advance and is one of the most effective ways of hedging against currency risk. These are contracts with obligations to be met within the given time frame.
Limit orders
Stop loss orders
OCO orders
Multi-currency accounts
Managing currency risk
Currency risk management often needs a specific strategic approach. Find out more about managing currency risk, contract types and specialist money transfer providers offering the service.
Recapping
As with any international transfer provider it is important to understand the options for your specific business needs, but overall there are some key things to keep in mind.
Working with specialists in large business transfers will mean a better exchange rate.
Utilising risk management tools like forward contracts and limit orders can result in huge savings.
Money transfer providers may also offer access to multi-currency business accounts to mitigate the cost of receiving large transfers.
Whilst we have covered each of the providers and estimations of transfer amounts, we would always recommend searching for the exact amount you need to send and speaking with the provider. It’s highly likely that a forward contract can aid in reducing overall cost, particularly if the transfer in question is not happening for a number of months.
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