Scotland-Based No1 Currency Specialist Defies the Crunch

Edinburgh-based Foreign Currency Specialist, No1 Currency, is defying the credit crunch as it continues to grow it Bureau de Change network UK wide.

Last weekend No1 Currency, the UK’s fastest growing Foreign Currency Specialist, celebrated the opening of its 250th Bureau de Change outlet in partnership with Cheque Centre in Wakefield, Yorkshire.

Established in 1996 with just 2 currency exchange outlets, No1 Currency has seen rapid and continued growth in Scotland and the North of England, with further expansions intended to continue into 2009.

No1 Currency is the only UK-based foreign currency specialist to use a unique partnership business model to grow its Bureau de Change network; as such it is able to offer high quality service and considerably better currency rates than its high street competitors.

Managing Director of No1 Currency, Mark McElney, said, “We are the only foreign exchange service to use a unique Bureau de Change model. By working with Cheque Centre branches we are able reduce expenditures on overheads and set up costs. We pass this saving onto our customers.”

The Wakefield Cheque Centre manager said, “Along with No1 Currency we are able to provide customers with the full financial solution while offering the best currency exchange rates on the high street.”

The launch of No1 Currency’s 250th outlet comes at a time when there is much uncertainty in the holiday market in the UK and Scotland, yet despite the current economic climate, No1 Currency has gone from strength to strength.

“The downturn in the economy has not stopped holiday makers from booking weekend breaks and short getaways, however value for money has never been so imperative,” said Mark McElney, “Our 250th Bureau de Change outlet is testament to the continuing expansion and market demand for our cost effective currency exchange services.”

“With our unique business model, 0% commission and the most competitive exchange rates in the marketplace, we continue to offer better rates than our competitors. By using this new currency exchange service at Cheque Centre our customers are able to make their holiday money and currency transfers stretch that little bit further.”

It seems that with the use of travellers’ cheques diminishing, and banks continuing to offer poor exchange rates alongside high commission fees as well as the soaring charges to make withdrawals from overseas ATMs, getting cash before you go is an essential item on the holiday check list.

Shopping around on your local high street and comparing currency rates could save up to €25 on a £450 exchange. The average holiday maker takes around £450 in cash for a week’s holiday to the continent. With an exchange rate* of €1.245 to the Pound, No1 Currency customers get €560.25 for their holiday money. This beats the likes of the Post Office (€535.50) and M&S Money (€555.75)*.

No.1 Currency operates 250 Bureau de Change outlets in through the UK, from Inverness to the Brighton. These outlets can be found in all major cities and towns, to find your nearest branch please visit http://www.no1currency.com/bureau-de-change/store-loc.asp

Protect your Savings with Predetermined Exchange Rates

Emigrating from the UK to destinations such as Australia and New Zealand requires a large amount of time for careful research and preparation. Planning can typically take a year or more during which time currency fluctuations can often be between 25-30%. These indeterminate moves could result in huge losses against original budgeting when transferring savings abroad.

Recent market tensions have seen favourable moves in sterling against both the Australian and New Zealand dollar. However, we only need to look back to last summer when a peak in sterling resulted in a fall in value against both the Australian and NZ$ in the region of 20% over a five to six month period. This type of adverse currency movement would clearly have a huge negative effect on the value of your savings.

Putting this example into hard cash figures, a couple planning emigration to Australia last year needed to exchange £150,000 to Australian dollars. At the beginning of the process in August, their savings would have secured around A$382,500. By the time they were ready to make the move in May of this year, the fall in the value of the pound had seen the equivalent value fall to A$307,500. This equated to a loss of A$75,000 or, in sterling terms, £36,585.

By speaking with their Foreign Currency Specialist, this type of exchange loss could have been avoided. From the moment you are aware of the approximate value and timescale of your transaction, you have an exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and the obvious knock on impact on your budgeting. This can be avoided by booking what is known as a forward contract. When entering into this contract, you are agreeing a predetermined exchange rate for a date in the future. This then allows you to concentrate on the other important aspects of your move without the worry of potentially damaging moves in the foreign exchange market.

In general terms, exchange rate fluctuations tend to be far greater in £-aud and £-nzd than many other currencies. This renders currency predications less reliable for those looking to transfer large sums of money to these countries. This again highlights the benefits of a forward contract.

David Lamb of No1 Currency explains ‘A forward contract is an agreement that enables you to lock into a favourable exchange rate for up to two years before you need to transfer your savings. Essentially, this means you are able to buy your currency now and pay for it up to 24 months later, thereby protecting your savings from any negative currency movements’

Forward contracts provide an ideal solution for anyone who is planning on moving abroad. Often, transfers of savings and assets are left until the last minute, the consequences of which have been highlighted. In some cases, transferring of funds can take far longer than anticipated, especially if money is tied up in a UK property which is proving difficult to sell.

By contacting your Foreign Currency Specialist straight away these exchange rates can be fixed at a predetermined rate. Thereby, not only allowing you to lock into favorable rates but giving you the added security of knowing exactly how much you will have when you start your new life abroad.

With your savings protected from the uncertainties of the foreign exchange market, you can relax and take your time in planning the rest of your emigration to paradise.