How to get the best currency exchange rate for large money transfers

If you have a large amount of money you need to send abroad this step-by-step guide will explain the process, the costs, and the risks so you can make an informed decision on the best way to send and receive your money.

I’ve been involved in large currency transfers for about twenty years. As both a prime broker to currency providers and have run a currency broker specialising in large currency transfers. It may seem complicated, but getting the best exchange rate and preparing for a large foreign currency transaction is simpler than you think if you know the steps involved.

What is the best way to exchange large amounts of currency?

Definitely, use a currency broker. International payments can be made cheaper and faster than your bank. A bank could charge up to 4% in exchange rates costs, whereas a currency broker will normally be under 0.5% from the mid-market.

Currency brokers can also offer advice on market timing, and offer currency forwards that let you lock in the currency exchange rate for conversions and transfers for up to one year in advance.

• Learn more: How to compare exchange rates for currency transfers

Using a currency broker can get you the best rates for large foreign exchange conversions.

This is because a currency broker provides much better exchange rates than most high street banks and also offers currency forwards. Currency forwards let you lock in the currency exchange rate for conversions and transfers for up to one year in advance.

• Related Guide: What currency forwards are and how they work.

Three things are most important when exchanging large amounts of currency:

• The price
• The speed
• The safety

We’ll take a quick look at each key point of a large currency transfer, further down this article you can also watch our video on the top three mistakes people make when doing large currency transfers.

Price – Getting the best price for large foreign exchange transfers

First, don’t use your bank, it may seem the easy option because you don’t have to open an account with a currency broker but it will be worth it. Opening an account takes a few minutes and one you are up and running you can convert funds online or over the phone.

Speed – Currency brokers provide the fastest large money transfer options.

As currency brokers only focus on getting clients money where it needs to go cheaply and quickly they are able to send money same day.

So if you need to send a large amount of foreign exchange abroad a currency broker can send the foreign currency out as soon as your funds arrive with us.

Safety – Protecting your funds when sending large currency transfers

Firstly avoid scams by doing some basic research. We only feature FCA-regulated currency brokers, you can also the FCA register to make sure your broker is regulated here.

Never trust any financial services business that is not regulated by the FCA or based in the UK.

It’s important to note that, unlike banks, currency brokers are not covered by the FSCS so you don’t get protection if the firm goes bust when your money is in transit. However, regulated currency brokers will segregate client money from their own funds in trusted UK banks.

Five reasons to use a currency broker rather than your bank:

1. Get the best exchange rate every time –  Currency brokers can offer exchange rates are fixed so you know exactly what your costs are. With transparent rates it is possible when you trade online or over the phone to see both the mid-market and your exchange rate so you can calculate exactly what your fees are. This means that by using a transparent currency broker you can be confident that you are getting the cheapest transfer rate every time without having to compare brokers.
2. Hedge your currency risk – Hedging currency risk is very simple. If you know that your business will be buying say 500,000 in Euros but split up over the year you can use a currency forward to lock in the currency exchange rate for the whole year. Banks generally do not offer this facility. You can date them so you only pay for what you need and when you need it and it means that you don’t have to worry about the exchange rate moving against you and reducing your profit margins.
3. Convert and send funds online – As most banking is done online now, it makes sense to convert and transfer large amounts of money online too. most currency brokers utilise industry-leading foreign exchange platform that gives you 24 hour access to live exchange rates and statements
4. Personal service and expert advice – As well as investing heavily in technology, foreign exchange is at heart a relationship business. That the relationship with clients, relationship with the banks, compliance and technology providers who all come together to produce the discounted exchange rates and systems that make money flow cheaply and quickly between foreign banks. Never forget the benefits of picking up the phone and talking to someone who actually know who you are!
5. Know your margin One of the major issues for large foreign business currency transfers is that the costs of foreign exchange are included in the exchange rate. This means you may not be able to see exactly what you have been charged for a transaction.

A few of the best currency brokers for large currency transfers

• Currencies Direct
• OFX
• Key Currency

You can read more about each of these providers in our currency broker comparison. We have also interviewed the company CEOs and reviewed their services and poducts.

Three risks of transferring large sums of money abroad

One of the major risks when it comes to transferring a large amount of foreign exchange is that you will get a bad price and end up paying more than you should. When you convert funds with a currency broker you can choose the exchange rates and see live streaming quotes.

However, with a bank, you have no control over the exchange rate which could cost you thousands if the transfer is large enough.

The other of course is that currency brokers are generally not covered by the FSCS.

Here are the main price risks or transferring large sums of money abroad:

The bad exchange rate risk

Currency brokers provide bank-beating exchange rates.  A bank can charge up to 4% for a large foreign exchange transfer, whereas decent online money transfer platforms like Transferwise currency brokers generally charge less than 0.35%.

You can, in fact, get even better rates with smaller more personal currency brokers like Linear International Payments. You just have to ask!

Charges and fees should always be included in the exchange rate which is calculated as a percentage from the mid-market.

You can read our article on how to compare exchange rates here.

Volatile currency fluctuations risk in currency transfers

Here’s how to avoid currency fluctuations: use a currency forward

A currency forward allows customers to lock in the currency exchange rate for a conversion for any time up to a year in the future.

So, if you know that you have to buy say 500,000 Euros in six months’ time you can buy them at the current rate and pay for them in six months.

By locking in the exchange rate you no longer have to worry about the price of Euros moving against you and costing more.

Timing the currency transfer transaction incorrectly risk

Here’s how to correctly time a transaction: use a dealer

As well as providing an online platform where our clients can convert and transfer large amounts of currency online we also have a bank of experienced dealers who can trade for you over the phone.

There are certain times of day when market prices are tighter and it is advisable not to trade around certain economic figures that are released to the market.

If you have a particularly large currency trade we are able to finesse the order into the market so the price does not get pushed by increased volumes.

The process of sending large currency transfers safely

Here are the steps of the best way to exchange large amounts of currency online:

1. Open an account with a currency broker – This usually takes a few minutes to register via an online application. Once they have your ID your currency broker will do some required AML checks for the FCA and let you know when your account is approved.
2. Check quotes online – Once your account is approved you will get access to their online currency conversion platform.  When you are logged in you can view live streaming prices and get quotes for all the currencies offered. When you request a quote you should be shown exactly how much a transaction will cost or how much you will receive.
3. Doing the transaction – You can choose either a same day (spot) or currency forward contract which allows you to buy or sell large amounts of currency for any date up to one year in the future. You do not need to send funds before you trade as this may slow down the process and mean you miss your price.
4.  Making the onward payment – After you’ve done the trade add the details of the beneficiary of the funds. This can be either a single person or entity or split into multiple payments. As soon as your funds arrive the currency broker should make the onward payment.