How to Get the Cheapest Money Transfers

Is This Comparison Data Reliable?

Pound Sterling Live is plugged into several provider APIs. An API telegraphs data directly from the broker to our website in the form of an electronic feed.

This is as accurate as anyone can get.

However, some providers only give a ballpark costing on their FX spreads, which we affix to the market rate. This is because they would like to retain a degree of flexibility. In these instances, we use the mean spread they offer and subtract this from the live market rate. This is ascertained by watching the provider, conducting independent surveys and asking them directly.

Always Ask for the Best Rate the Broker Can Offer

With brokers that look to maintain flexibility, you must push them for the best rates they can offer.

Providers like Horizon Currency already advertise highly competitive rates, whereas others such as Moneycorp, TorFX, Currencies Direct and Lumon start out 'wide' and can be negotiated lower.

When using these traditional payment brokers, speak to someone and ask them for a lower rate. Just a word of advice: they are more likely to give you a lower fee if you have a substantial amount of money. Obviously, your bargaining power is vastly reduced if you have less money to send.

Don't be afraid to haggle.

Can I Negotiate Better Rates with Wise and Revolut?

No. It is not possible to negotiate for better rates with the big fintechs like Wise and Revolut, as these are large 'fintechs' that rely on automated processes to serve large numbers of clients. This means rates are fixed and adjusted periodically.

What is the fee?

Some providers offer the live market rate for transactions but charge a percentage fee. This means the more you send, the more the provider earns off the transaction. This is something that Wise pioneered and marketed as a measure to be more transparent. From a marketing perspective, it was a stroke of genius and launched a multi-billion pound company.

Ultimately, though, it's just another way of charging, and our comparison module shows this, confirming why you should always view the "recipient gets" amount to get a rounded cost.

The recipient exchange rate reflects the true cost of transfers by accounting for how popular fintech companies make their money by applying a percentage-based sliding fee

What is the FX Charge?

The FX charge is the 'spread' on the exchange rate offered by the provider.

In the context of exchange rates, the term 'spread' refers to the difference between the bid price and the ask price quoted by a currency broker or exchange. These prices are:

Bid Price: The price at which the broker is willing to buy a currency from you.

Ask Price: The price at which the broker is willing to sell the currency to you.

The spread is essentially the broker's profit margin for facilitating the exchange. It is calculated as:

Spread = Ask Price − Bid Price

For example:

If the bid price for GBP/EUR is 1.2000 and the ask price is 1.2050, the spread is 0.0050 (or 50 pips, in forex trading terminology).

Key Points About Spreads

Impact of Liquidity: Currencies with higher market liquidity (like USD, EUR, JPY and GBP) tend to have lower spreads because they are traded more frequently. Exotic or less-traded currencies typically have higher spreads.

Costs to Traders: For traders or consumers, the spread represents a cost. If you were to buy a currency and immediately sell it back, you would lose the value of the spread.

Variable Spreads: Spreads can vary depending on market conditions, such as volatility, economic news, or market hours.

Fixed vs. Floating Spreads: Some brokers offer fixed spreads (constant regardless of market conditions) while others offer floating spreads (which can change based on market dynamics).

Understanding spreads is crucial for working out transfer costs for businesses conducting international transactions, individuals sending money and travellers exchanging currency, as it directly affects the cost of currency exchange.

If I want to transfer money, why should I look at the spread?

When transferring money internationally, looking at the spread is essential because it directly affects how much money your recipient will receive and how much the transaction will cost you. Here's why the spread matters:

1. Hidden Costs

The spread is effectively the fee that currency exchange services, banks, or money transfer providers charge for facilitating the transfer. Even if a provider advertises "no fees," they often include their profit margin in the spread. A wider spread means higher costs for you, even if it isn't explicitly stated as a "fee."

2. Exchange Rate Quality

Providers with narrower spreads usually offer better exchange rates. For example:

If the interbank (market) exchange rate for USD to EUR is 1.2000:

A provider with a tight spread might offer 1.1990 (bid) and 1.2050 (ask).

A provider with a wide spread might offer 1.1900 (bid) and 1.1200 (ask). The wider spread means you'll get fewer euros for your pounds.

3. Maximizing Value

When transferring large amounts, even a small difference in the spread can result in significant cost savings. For example:

If you're transferring £10,000 and the spread causes a difference of 0.01 in the exchange rate, the cost difference would be £100.

4. Comparing Providers

Looking at the spread helps you compare money transfer services. Some providers may offer low upfront fees but compensate with wide spreads, making the total cost higher. Others may have narrower spreads but charge explicit fees. Comparing both factors ensures you get the best deal.

5. Volatility Awareness

In volatile markets, spreads tend to widen. Monitoring the spread can help you decide when to make the transfer, as doing so during calmer periods might save you money.

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