International money transfer 101 for businesses

Transcription

1 transfer 101 for businesses

2 transfer 101 for businesses Think global, act local. It s been a big business mantra since the 80s, but in the internet era the term has a new meaning. Nowadays, companies can adapt to local events and meet global needs instantly. There have never been more opportunities to take advantage of the global marketplace, even if your business only operates in one country. To capitalise on these benefits, you need to be able to send money abroad quickly and cost effectively. This simple guide will talk through when and why you might want to transfer money overseas, and what you can do to make the process suit your business specific needs. When do businesses need to send money internationally? Every business is unique, but there are common areas most will come across where it pays to access global networks. These include: Recruiting talent internationally growing businesses should be able to access the best talent, wherever it may be. International departmental transfers global organisations need a reliable, inexpensive way to send money abroad. Importing and exporting finding the right commodities and getting them to where they re needed. Business purchases sourcing products locally isn t always the best choice. To understand how you can make each type of transaction work harder for your business, we re going to take a closer look at them individually.

3 Recruiting talent globally: how it can help A growing number of CEOs are championing international hiring in the media. They ll often highlight benefits like native knowledge of different cultures, and fresh perspectives on products. Immigration laws can also encourage companies to open overseas offices, as it s more difficult to recruit foreign workers into the country. Online innovations and a growing range of international recruitment networks, like The Network and NPA Worldwide, make it easier than ever to source talent from abroad. And, with one in seven UK companies set up by entrepreneurs born in another country, plenty of businesses have a global outlook in their DNA from day dot. When it comes to paying your global workforce, it s usually better value to commission foreign exchange brokers (otherwise known as FX or forex brokers) to make transfers. Because forex brokers buy currency in bulk, they can pass on their lower rate to their clients. The right broker can save you on average 3-4% of the exchange rate over conventional bank transfers and online banking alternatives. When it comes to paying your global workforce, it s usually better value to commission foreign exchange brokers (otherwise known as FX or forex brokers) to make transfers. Your other main cost consideration is tax. If your company is registered outside the European Economic Area, international workers living in the UK will need to make their own National Insurance contributions. If they don t live there permanently, you can apply for your workers to be exempt from them. International departmental transfers: how it can help If you have offices overseas, internal cash flow is king. It s difficult to overestimate the cost of expanding abroad; expenses such as legal bills and general overheads can soon spiral. If you re making regular, sizeable payments you can use forex brokers to keep costs down. For more information on how you can save money with a regular payment plan, read our guide. The right broker can make sure your business isn t hit by fluctuations in currency, which also helps to give you a more accurate sense of your balance sheet. Or, to take advantage of a sudden opportunity, they can arrange a spot trade for you. Simply put, these are on-the-spot transactions that are settled instantly.

4 Importing and exporting: how it can help Import/export and retail businesses need to transfer money internationally in a way that doesn t eat into their profit margins. While it s possible to get by on single payments and bank transfers, it s businesses that consider the big picture that prosper. In the current economic climate, Bank of England policymaker David Miles admits that flat demand in the eurozone is stifling UK exports. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) predicts that by 2050 China, India, Brazil, Russia, Mexico and Indonesia s economies will be larger than those of any European Union country. This means businesses need to adapt to different currencies and ways of operating. Some businesses will be able to turn to the government for help, particularly with initiatives like the UK s Export Refinancing Facility in place, which supports international business loans. For all import/export and retail businesses, however, it s also vital to have a solid understanding of how the exchange rate affects your core markets. This will inform when you buy and your volumes for the year ahead. A currency exchange contract is ideal if you re worried about big rate changes over a set period of time. These let you trade multiple times at an exchange rate that s fixed for that period, protecting you against negative movements. Business purchases: how it can help Successful businesses must react quickly to the marketplace. Whether your company relies on imported Irish butter for your culinary creations or the latest Romanian software for your augmented reality app, having the confidence to make purchases from anywhere in the world empowers your business to make the most profitable buys. For regular purchases, your business will want to minimise the risk posed by a volatile exchange rate. And like all good purchases, you ll need solid advice, ensuring your money is transferred securely and efficiently. For regular purchases, your business will want to minimise the risk posed by a volatile exchange rate. If you know you re making a big purchase in the future, your broker can arrange a forward contract, which locks in your money to the current exchange rate, allowing you to make the most of a good rate. This can have a surprisingly big effect in a short period of time. For example, if you had locked in 100,000 in September 2014 for a purchase in Brazilian real in December of the same year, you could have saved up to 18,000 on your transaction. For more information on how international money transfers work, and how finding a good broker could help your business get a reliable, better deal, read our general 101 guide.

5 Our guides In this series of comprehensive guides, you ll find everything you need to know about all areas of international money transfer. We ve designed them to provide clear answers to your money transfer questions, whether you re putting down a deposit on a beachfront villa in Antigua, packing up and moving across continents or paying for a Serengeti safari. They cover all the essentials, from the costs you ll need to account for to the processes you ll need to follow. to in Portugal in Portugal to in Spain in Spain to in France in France transfer 101 transfer 101 for businesses to know: paying for overseas holidays to know: regular overseas payments to know: paying for overseas tuition transfer 101 transfer 101 for business know: paying for overseas holidays know: regular overseas payments know: paying for overseas tuition to know: purchasing property abroad to know: repatriating funds How to use The Money Cloud to know: automated online trading platforms to know: emigrating abroad know: purchasing property abroad know: repatriating funds How to use The Money Cloud know: automated online trading platforms know: emigrating abroad