• Why Use World First?
• The Process Explained
• The Savings
• Security
• Case Studies
• Open an Account

Emigrating and Exchange Rates: The Savings

1) Better Exchange Rates

We would usually expect to give you an exchange rate between 0.25% and 2% better than your bank. This means you will save 0.25% and 2% of the value of your transaction. The following calculator will estimate the saving you will make:


Please contact our Emigration team on 0800 783 6022 (or +44 (0)20 7801 9080 from outside the UK) for the exchange rate and more accurate saving for your purchase.

How can World First offer better exchange rates than the banks? The high street banks generally take large margins from the "interbank" rate. By aggregating all our client transactions, we transacted over £1 billion in 2008. This volume enables us to access the interbank market. We simply take a smaller margin from this rate and pass the saving onto our customers.

2) Payment Costs

World First will give you one free international payment with every transaction over £5,000. Fees for payments under £5,000 or additional payments on transactions over £5,000 are £15/€22/$29. We can also avoid correspondent and receiving charges in most countries. This can save you a considerable amount in certain countries.

3) Avoiding currency fluctuations

Many people are unaware of the risks involved in the currency markets. World First can help you avoid or minimise these risks. The foreign exchange markets, unlike share markets, trade 24 hours a day and rates are constantly moving. On an average day, the main currencies will move around 1% and can move up to 5%. Over a period of a few months, the sterling cost of a house abroad can change significantly. There is an example of this in the Case Studies section (click here).