A complex transaction made easy.
Buying overseas can be a daunting process, but the foreign exchange service doesn't have to be.
If you are buying overseas, you need a Personal Foreign Exchange service you can rely on.
We know that no two currency transactions are ever identical. By listening to, and understanding your needs, we’re able to deliver the foreign exchange service that is just right for you.
There are many points to consider when making purchases overseas; you may need to deal with property agents, developers and lawyers and are likely to have to make a number of international payments, during the process.
We have the experience to make sure your purchase is seamless and hassle-free as well as ensuring that the people you need to pay receive their funds at the right time.
How can we help?
In all overseas transactions, timing is crucial. We work within your schedule to optimise the point at which you purchase your currency so you get the best value.
Your Dealer will be able to offer you a range of simple but effective methods of buying or selling currency, with the emphasis being on obtaining the best possible results.
For us, foreign exchange is not just a transfer of funds, it's a personal exchange involving us listening to your requirements and acting on them. By unlocking the mysteries of sending foreign currency accurately and swiftly overseas, you will have peace of mind and satisfaction that your part of the deal is safely done.
Products
There are three main methods of buying foreign exchange although flexibility in our approach does give you some alternatives:
1. Spot buying
This is the most commonly used transaction to buy or sell currency and it is recommended when you want to take advantage of current exchange rates. Once we have received your incoming funds, we transfer the corresponding currency to your nominated destination. This is typically within two to five working days, depending on your requirements and the speed with which you make your payment. We can also hold your funds on account prior to forwarding it, in our client transaction accounts.
2. Forward buying
Using a forward contract enables you to purchase currency, based on todays exchange rates, for delivery and payment on a specified future date - up to 12 months ahead. The mechanics are simple, you specify how much currency you need and on what date you need it. We then calculate a forward rate, which is guaranteed as the rate of exchange at delivery. When entering into a contract of this type we would require some security in the form of a deposit (usually 10% of the total).
3. Market Orders
If you believe that the exchange rate is likely to go for or against you, a market order enables you to benefit from this variation of movement. You specify a rate that you would like to achieve, agree this with your Dealer, and then we 'place' this into the market. Once the market moves and your rate is achieved then your order is completed. We then contact you and you send us the required amount to settle the trade. This allows you to both take advantage of improving rates and safeguard against the market falling where appropriate.
Our Personal FX team are supported by commercial dealers who have vast experience of the wider FX markets. They provide commentary and follow market trends, swings and movements on a full time basis, whilst studying the effect of breaking economic data. It’s this understanding that enables our clients to make informed decisions about their currency transactions.
Process
Once you have opened an account, we will clearly establish the timescale involved and the currencies you need to buy and sell. We then discuss the most effective method of transaction and a rate of exchange. From the outset your dedicated personal Dealer will provide you with unrivalled support and a service tailored to meet your needs.
Once you have agreed to buy or sell a currency and indentified the time for delivery (value date), you will receive details of your transaction and will use this information to transfer your funds to Personal FX and supply us with details for onward payment of your currency.
Your funds are held in a segregated client transaction account with our bank, Lloyds TSB. Funds are kept there until we receive instructions from you on where the funds are to be transferred. Once we have forwarded your currency, payment confirmations will be sent to you.
