Halo Financial

This award-winning, UK-based foreign exchange provider facilitates quick and easy global payments for both private and corporate clients. Combining specialist industry insight with personalised client services, Halo Financial strives to save clients’ money and time when arranging cross-border transactions. In this review we will take a closer look at the finer details of this money transfer service, identifying their efficiency and trustworthiness.

About Halo Financial

Whether you are an individual client or represent a business, making a one-off payment or setting up recurring currency transfers, Halo Financial provides all clients detailed analysis and bespoke consultancy solutions, direct from their headquarters in London. Since its inception in 2004, the company has received several awards including Feefo’s Platinum Trusted Service, a title they were awarded for the second year running in 2021. Other accolades include Best Customer Focus in the Best Business Awards, Best Money Transfer Provider in the New British Bank Awards and Best Supporting Service at the OPP Gold Awards.

With no maximum transfer limit, Halo Financial is ideal for customers looking to send large sums of money abroad safely and securely. Halo’s competitive exchange rates and fee-free services for currency exchange above £5,000 GBP (or equivalent) helps clients with overseas financial commitments like buying property abroad or transferring their salary to a foreign bank account save time and money on international transfers.

Halo Financial Exchange Rates, Fees and Costs

Here we will review the overall cost of Halo Financial transfer services, from the various exchange rates, fee structures and other additional charges.

Exchange Rates and Payment Solutions

Halo Financial makes most of their profit from charging exchange rate margins between 0.1%- 1.0% higher than the mid-market rate. The company offers 4 different exchange rate mechanisms, designed to help customers secure the best value money transfer on the market:

• Spot Rates: If you are looking to make a currency exchange on the day or within a few days at the current exchange rate then a spot contract is the way to go. Clients are assigned their own dedicated Currency Consultant, who will advise the best time to make your trade to ensure you get the most out of the current exchange rate

• Forward Trades: This is an effective and flexible currency solution for those who want to protect desired exchange rates from forex market volatility. Forward Trades give clients the ability to plan ahead; Halo Financial will agree to exchange a specific currency pairing at a fixed exchange rate which can be transferred and delivered on an agreed date up to 24 months in the future

• Automated Orders: Working with your dedicated Currency Consultant, you will be able to buy or sell currency at a predetermined target level, enabling you to take advantage of exchange rates, round the clock. This is a strategic currency exchange solution that help clients target better exchange rates by protecting them against impending market fluctuations

• Regular Currency Transfers: A convenient currency exchange solution for clients looking to arrange recurring currency transfers. Halo Financial receives funds on a standing order basis and your dedicated Currency Consultant will use these funds for money transfers sent on scheduled dates to approved beneficiaries. This currency exchange solution is a great option for any businesses making multiple, regular payments, who want to avoid ad-hoc payments

Transfer Fees

Halo Financial does not charge any fees for transfers of foreign currencies exceeding £5,000 GBP (or equivalent). For lower amounts, however, there is a charge of £15 GBP to send money anywhere in the world; this is used to cover administration costs.

Additional Costs

As well as the £15 transfer fee, international payments are subject to additional fees in cases where bank processing charges apply, but this will depend on the country customers are sending to or receiving money from. Halo Financial Currency Consultants will provide further information on all additional costs, informing clients of the grand total, ahead of sending or receiving transfers.

Top Destinations for Using Halo Financial

Halo Financial supports a selection of 31 major foreign currencies, but the top destinations accounting for most of their clients' international money

With over 250,000 foreigners arriving in Canada each year to live and work, Halo Financial offer many resources to help with a planned move to the Great White North.

Australia has long been a popular destination for British expats and with over 42% of Australians population born overseas it’s one of the easiest countries for cultural integration.

With inflation levels in both the UK and the USA rising steadily over the last few months, New Zealand is seen as an appealing destination for emigration.

Halo Financial Pros and Cons

With over 15 years experience in the industry, Halo Financial has garnered a reputation as a trusted authority in the industry; but does it tick all the boxes? In this section we will summarise the pros and cons of using Halo Financial.

What type of transfers can you make with Halo?

Payment method options

With Halo Financial you can transfer your currency exchange either over the phone or using your online account. You can pay Halo Financial via CHAPS, BACS, Faster Payment, or Telegraphic Transfer.GBP, EUR and USD Telegraphic Transfers can clear on the same day if the payment has been initiated before the bank's cut-off time.

Withdrawal options

Transfers can only be made to a recipient’s bank account: there is no other type of pay-out option with this provider.

How long does it take to receive money using Halo Financial?

Funds can be delivered on the same day when transferring USD, CAD, GBP or EUR, if payment is received by 2pm UK time. All other currencies will be processed the next working day.

Can I trust Halo Financial?

Founded in 2004 as a Private Limited Company, registered under no. 5155787, the company’s original office was in Stoughton Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4LP. At the time of writing, June 2021, the company headquarters are located in Battersea Studios 2, 82 Silverthorne Road, London, SW8 3HE.

Halo Financial is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (FRN:528727). As part of the regulation, the provider is required to hold client funds in a ‘Safeguarding account’ which is separate from the providers assets. This account is maintained by Barclays Bank PLC.

Founding Directors Gavin Herridge and David Johnson have decades of experience working in the FX and payments sector. The company Directors fulfil strict regulatory governance suitable to conduct payment services. Currently, the Halo Financial team is made up of 26 knowledgeable and attentive employees, who support money transfers amounting to over £1 billion GBP each year.

Halo Financial has a detailed privacy policy which can be found on their website. This document outlines the security measures it takes to safeguard customers' data and the data that is collected. The provider has an SSL certification encrypted onto there site to ensure the site is secure and your data is protected. The site is also developed with a two-step verification process for account registrations and currency trades for further security and safety when booking trades online.

What do users have to say about Halo Financial?

Halo Financial has one of the highest ratings on Feefo, the customer feedback website, and at the time of writing, Halo Financial has been reviewed 1,274 times acquiring a rating of 4.8/5. To better understand what clients have to say about the company, we have compiled a list of the most common feedback.

Positive feedback includes:

• Fast, friendly and helpful interactions with customer service team members

• Knowledgeable and attentive staff: Currency Consultants explain every step of the process, making transfers seamless and easy to understand

• Rapid processing times: clients report transfers are swift to set up and delivered quickly

• Reliable and trustworthy: a reputable service with professional security standards

Negative feedback includes:

• Lack of transparency: according to some clients the fees charged for sending and receiving money overseas requires further clarity

• Fees quickly add up: the company’s fee structure mean the overall cost is higher than their competitors which is off putting for some clients

• Inaccurate estimated delivery: some reviews mention a delay or longer than expected delivery speeds

How to open an account and transfer money with Halo Financial

Halo Financial makes sending and receiving money quick and simple: the sign-up process is fast and secure, only taking customers a few minutes to receive approval and arrange their first currency transfer.

Opening an account

Step 1. Enter your personal details: these include your full name, date of birth, phone number and email address

Step 2. Next you must enter information about your residential country, city, postal code, place of birth, nationality, household income and occupation

Step 3. At this stage you will receive a SMS code to the number entered in the first step: enter this code into the indicated box, before creating a password and security question. Click Next’ to submit the application

Step 4. Identity verification: You will receive an email from Halo Financial requesting documents that you must provide to verify your name and address. The document which can be provided may include your passport, utility bill or bank statement.

Step 5. You will receive a verification link that will allow you to capture your headshot and the front/back of your passport or national ID. This link is desktop and mobile friendly. Once completed you will receive contact from your dedicated Currency Consultant who will finalise the process and support you with your account sign up.

Sending money with Halo Financial

Step 1. Once your account has been approved, you are ready to make your first currency transfer, and this can be initiated immediately by following the steps below:

Step 2. Log into your online account using your email and password. You may then be asked for the requested characters from your memorable word as a second factor of security verification. Once you are logged into your account, navigate to book a trade and complete the currency and amount field and destination details. You will receive an automated email confirmation stating that the currency has been purchased and payment has been sent.

Step 3. If you would rather conduct your business over the phone, you can contact your dedicated currency consultant.

Step 4. Once you have confirmed your transfer, you will receive an email from your dedicated Currency Consultant confirming the order details, and the bank details that you should pay your money into. When you make a payment, you will receive a confirmation from Halo to confirm the amount and date received. Similarly, when the funds are transferred to the beneficiary, you will receive an email notifying you of the amount sent and the recipient details.

Receiving money with Halo Financial

Funds that are being transferred will be deposited into the beneficiary’s bank account. The beneficiary will not need to do anything to receive these funds unless the beneficiary’s country requires the disclosure of funds above a certain amount.

Does Halo Financial have a mobile app?

While the Halo Financial website is fully optimised for mobile phone technology, the online trading platform is only available through their website.

Can I cancel my transfer?

Yes, you can cancel your transfer by contacting your dedicated Currency Consultant or the Settlements team; customers are advised to do this at the earliest possible time. If the money has not yet been credited to the beneficiary, it may be cancelled but any costs or losses Halo Financial incurs in the process must be paid for by the customer.

Customer support

The Halo Financial team is based in Battersea, London, and is on hand to assist customers from Monday to Friday from 7.30 am - 6.00 pm UK time. The best way to receive customer support is to either email help@halofinancial.com or call one of the following teams:

• Individual private client team: +44 (0) 20 7350 5474

• Business and corporate team: +44 (0) 20 7350 5470

• Settlements and admin team: +44 (0) 20 7350 5471

How does Halo Financial compare to other providers?

As a specialist provider with almost two decades of experience, Halo Financial is in a better position to transfer money overseas than traditional banking options. With great technology, attractive exchange rates and risk management strategies, Halo Financial can remove the stress from currency transfers and is a great option for anyone making high-stakes international money transfers. Currency Consultants stay in touch to communicate any opportunities which allow customers to benefit from any market volatility.

We recommend this company to customers sending large amounts of money across borders: for example, business owners with foreign customers or international employees, or individuals living, working or studying abroad. This is because a £15 GBP fee is applied to all transfers under £5,000 GBP (or equivalent) which is a lot more costly than what other money transfer companies charge for international payments. Whether you need to make a one-off payment or regular transfers amounting to less than £5,000 GBP, we suggest you use our comparison tool to discover a company better suited to your transfer needs.

Whether you want to make one-off payments, automated orders, or regular transfers, Halo Financial will give you personalised cheap money transfer services. In this guide, we’ll look at the provider’s exchange rates, transfer fees, payment methods, and everything else you could want to know about Halo Financial.

With no maximum transfer limit, Halo Financial offers a fast way of transferring large amounts of money, for instance when buying property overseas or sending tuition fees abroad. Halo Financial’s bank-beating exchange rates and fee-free transfers for values above £5000 can help many people save money on international money transfers.

Halo Financial exchange rates and fees

Halo Financial offers a fee and exchange rate structure that sees them come out as one of the most cost-effective international money transfer companies. The transaction fees are also set in such a way as to give high-value transaction customers an advantage when moving money. Here’s an overview of the rates and fees the provider charges.

Exchange Rates

Halo Financial estimates that it can save you up to 4% of the amount you are transacting in exchange rates compared to banks, and this is indeed what we found when researching the provider. Halo Financial makes its money by charging exchange rate margins that range between 0.3% and 1% above the mid-market rate.

Halo Financial offers four types of transfers that can help you get the best rate possible:

• Spot transfers: If you want to transfer money now or in the next few days using the current exchange rate, you can go for a spot contract. Your currency consultant will get you a competitive exchange rate and the best timing for your transfer.

• Forward trades: This type of transfer is effective for managing exchange rate risk. It allows you to set a rate in advance and have up to 24 months to make your transfer. It helps you in planning and budgeting.

• Automated orders: Together with your currency expert, you can choose a rate level at which if your trade is executed automatically to either limit or stop a loss.

• Regular currency trade plans: You can eliminate the uncertainty that comes with volatile currency markets by setting the amount and exchange rate at which you want your regular payments to be transferred.

Fees

When transferring amounts below £5000, you’ll pay a fee of £15 irrespective of the country you are sending to. Amounts above £5000 are processed free of charge. Comparing this pricing structure with what banks charge - up to £40 per transaction, you can make significant savings with Halo Financial.

Additional costs

Halo Financial will send out the amount as agreed on the transfer contract. However, international payments may attract other fees such as intermediary fees, landing fees and swift charges. These are deducted from the amount the recipient gets and are not controlled by Halo Financial. Be sure to check with your bank and other relevant services and institutions involved in your transfer.

Halo Financial pros and cons

Halo Financial is a reliable provider when making international money transferseither ad hoc or regularly. The personal touch, great technology, and attractive rates make the provider suited to both private and business transactions. Here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons of using Halo Financial to make cross-border transfers.

What kind of payments can I make with Halo Financial?

Halo Financial has simplified how customers pay for their transfers and how beneficiaries access their funds. Here are the payment and withdrawal options you’ll find with Halo Financial.

Payment methods available

When using Halo Financial, you can pay for your transfer using online or telephone banking. However, most banks in the UK will send your payment to the provider using either Faster Payment, BACS, or CHAPS. This means you’ll need to make your payment as soon as possible for timely funds clearance.

Withdrawal options available

Transfers are made to your recipient’s bank account. There is no cash pickup, door to door delivery or mobile transfer option with this provider.

How to send and receive money with Halo Financial

Halo Financial makes sending and receiving money quick and simple: the sign-up process is fast and secure; taking customers only a few minutes to receive approval and arrange their first currency transfer.

How to Send Money Online with Halo Financial

Once your account has been approved, you’re ready to get started. You’ll find that it takes just under ten minutes to send your first transfer. We’ve broken the process down into some easy-to-follow steps:

How to Send Money Over the Phone with Halo Financial

With one of the benefits of using Halo Financial being access to your own personal currency consultant, making a transfer over the phone can offer a more personal service. Your first transfer should take less than ten minutes. Follow these steps to get started:

Receiving Money with Halo Financial

Halo Financial makes transfers directly into bank accounts, so receiving funds is straightforward. Transfers using US Dollars, Euro, Pounds Sterling or Canadian Dollars before the cut-off time will be delivered on the same day. For other currencies, expect deliveries in 1-2 days. Simply follow these simple steps:

Here is a summary of what reassures clients when dealing with Halo Financial either at the private or corporate level.

History

Halo Financial was founded in 2004, and incorporated in the United Kingdom as a private limited company under company number 5155787. Its initial registered office was Stoughton Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4LP but that has since changed to its current headquarters at Battersea Studios 2, 82 Silverthorne Road, London, SW8 3HE, United Kingdom.

Founding directors Gavin Herridge and David Johnson have years of financial experience between them, having both worked at Moneycorp before leaving the company to start Halo Financial. The provider’s vision and indeed the focus of its founders is to provide excellent customer service, best exchange rates, and an accessible range of currency services.

Regulatory compliance

The provider is registered with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HRMC) as a Money Services Business under registration number 12197454. It also has the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) license to offer payment services.

As part of the regulation, the company is required to hold client funds in ‘safeguarding accounts’ also known as segregated accounts separate from the provider’s assets. The accounts are maintained at Barclays Bank PLC.

Currently, the provider has a team of about 50 employees drawn mostly from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Together they ensure Halo Financial customers are guided in compliance, settlements, foreign exchange risk management, and network infrastructure support. On average Haloi Financial transfers over £500 million each year.

Encryption and customer data

Halo Financial has a detailed privacy policy that spells out the security measures it has taken to safeguard the customer data it collects. As part of its technology stack, the provider has invested in superior SSL and other encryption services to ensure customer safety as they connect from their browsers to Halo Financial’s website. It also has a two-step verification process covering account registrations and currency trades.

Investors and awards

Gavin Herridge owns over 75% of the shares in Halo Financial hence a person with significant control (PSC). In terms of awards, the provider has quite a collection as summarised below:

• Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award: The company has won the award six times in a row from 2014 to date. The award recognises the exceptional customer service the provider offers across its service lines.

• Best Business Awards 2016: Halo Financial won in the Best Customer Focus category

• Consumer Moneyfacts Awards: The provider has been awarded five years in a row in the Best Money Transfer Provider category.

• OPP Awards for Excellence: The company won Gold in 2013 in the Best Supporting Service category. In the 2014 edition, Halo Financial won joint Gold with the Overseas Guides Company Limited in the same category.

• Relocate Awards 2015: Halo Financial was shortlisted in the Financial Support & Innovation category which was won by Global Tax Network.

• British Bank Awards 2018: The provider made it to the Best Money Transfer Provider shortlist.

The company has also featured in prominent media such as Bloomberg, The Telegraph, Yahoo! Finance News, The Times, CNBC and several others.

Customer satisfaction

Halo Financial has one of the highest customer experience ratings on the Feefo review site. It has a total of 1,052 reviews and a 4.9/5 rating. The reviews with 4 and 5-star ratings account for 97.3% of all reviews. This is what customers had to say about their experiences.

Positive

• Good customer service: Halo Financial has a professional, friendly and knowledgeable customer service team

• Fast transactions: Smooth and swift transactions handled by dedicated currency specialists

• Good value: The provider offers great exchange rates

Negative

• Sometimes unreliable: A few customers complained of isolated cases of lack of commitment by employees and delayed transfers.

Customer support

The provider has put together a knowledgeable team of currency specialists and customer engagement professionals to offer support. Their offices are open Monday to Thursday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm and Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm UK time. You can reach the team via phone or email.

• Phone: Private client support is available on +44 (0) 20 7350 5474, for corporate support call +44 (0) 20 7350 5470. They also have a dedicated line for settlements which is +44 (0) 20 7350 5471. All the lines are toll numbers and are only open during working hours.

• Email: You can email the support team by filling in the web form or by contacting them directly on help@halofinancial.com.

Summary

Halo Financial combines decades of experience and technology to provide its customers with a wide range of personalised currency services. Whether you are a business looking to protect your profits from volatile exchange rates or an individual after fast and cheap money transfers, Halo Financial has that and more.

Its wide array of transfer solutions including spot transfers, forward trades, automated orders, and regular currency trades cover all the possible scenarios in international payments.

When you sign up for an account, you’ll be assigned a dedicated currency consultant who will be your personal guide in all your trades. With just a phone call or email, your queries will be registered and attended to.

Transfers are made directly to the recipient’s bank and notifications sent to both you and the beneficiary if requested. However, if you are looking for cash pickup, home delivery, or mobile transfer payout options, you’ll have to shop around for an alternative provider.

Overall, Halo Financial is a money transfer provider with a tightly knit family of experienced professionals. This notwithstanding, you should shop around to see what other providers offer. Our money transfer comparison tool can help you make a quick analysis of who’s fast, cheap, and efficient on your currency route to get you the best deal.

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