Corporate FX · Business
Corporate foreign exchange, with a dedicated account manager behind every trade
Ocean Capital Exchange helps businesses manage international payments, foreign exchange and currency risk, combining dedicated account management with access to established global payment infrastructure across over 130 currencies.
Definition
What corporate FX means
Corporate foreign exchange is the set of services a business uses to convert money between currencies, pay or receive funds overseas and manage the risk that exchange rates move between agreeing a price and settling it.
Most businesses meet currency in three places: paying overseas suppliers, receiving money from overseas customers and holding cash in a currency other than sterling. Your OCE account manager looks at all three together and prices each trade competitively.
This page is the starting point. The linked pages explain spot FX, forward contracts, risk management, currency accounts, local collections, mass payments and e-commerce collection in detail.
At a glance
- Core services
- Spot conversions, forward contracts, hedging, international payments, multi-currency accounts and collections
- Currencies
- Over 130, including MWK, GHS, VND and ZMW, subject to provider, service and destination
- Your contact
- A dedicated Ocean Capital Exchange account manager
- Pricing
- Competitive, quote-specific exchange rates; separate transfer fees are not typically charged
- Infrastructure
- Payment services provided by appropriately regulated third-party providers
- Your funds
- Sent directly to the regulated provider, never to Ocean Capital Exchange Ltd
Beyond the major currencies
Beyond the major currencies
130+currencies available through our providers
Most providers focus on commonly traded currencies. Ocean Capital Exchange also helps businesses with more specialist international payment requirements, particularly across African, Asian and Caribbean markets. The currencies below are just a few examples, not a complete list of the 130+ currencies available through our providers.
- MWKMalawian KwachaSouthern AfricaA UK tea importer paying estate suppliers in Malawi on harvest schedules.
- GHSGhanaian CediWest AfricaA cocoa or logistics business settling local contractor and haulage invoices in Ghana.
- VNDVietnamese DongSouth-East AsiaA furniture or apparel brand paying manufacturers in Vietnam in local currency.
- ZMWZambian KwachaSouthern AfricaA mining services firm funding site staff and project costs in Zambia.
- NGNNigerian NairaWest AfricaA business paying suppliers or local operating costs in Nigeria.
- TTDTrinidad and Tobago DollarCaribbeanAn importer paying suppliers in Trinidad and Tobago.
- PHPPhilippine PesoSouth-East AsiaA business paying suppliers or service providers in the Philippines.
- XAFCentral African CFA FrancCentral AfricaA business paying suppliers or local operating costs in Cameroon and other Central African markets.
Availability depends on the underlying provider. Not every currency supports every payment method, collection account, forward contract or settlement route. We confirm what is available for your specific service and destination before you commit.
Regulatory and safeguarding information
Where your money goes, and who is responsible for it
Ocean Capital Exchange is your point of contact for foreign exchange and international payments: we provide account management, pricing and currency expertise.
The underlying payment services and relevant financial infrastructure are provided by appropriately regulated third-party payment service providers. Each provider operates under its own regulatory permissions and terms, which are provided to you before you open an account.
Ocean Capital Exchange Ltd does not hold client funds, and nothing on this site should be read as stating that it is itself authorised to provide payment services. How your funds are protected is determined by the regulated provider that holds them and is described in that provider's terms.
Read our security and legal information- 1
You
Your business instructs a conversion or payment, guided by your OCE account manager.
- 2
Regulated provider
You send funds directly to an account owned and operated by the relevant regulated payment service provider.
- 3
Beneficiary
The provider converts and pays out to your supplier, staff or own currency balance.
Not in the flow of fundsOcean Capital Exchange Ltd never receives or holds customer money.
Suitability
Which businesses use corporate FX
The test is not size but whether currency flows are regular, material or hard to predict.
Usually a fit
- Importers paying suppliers in euros, US dollars or other currencies.
- Exporters and service firms invoicing overseas customers.
- Businesses with overseas staff, contractors or subsidiaries to fund.
- Finance teams that want a named contact and a platform rather than ad hoc bank transfers.
Usually not a fit
- Businesses with no foreign-currency income or costs.
- Speculative trading on exchange rates, which these services are not designed for.
- Transfers for individuals, which are covered on the private clients page.
- Activities a partner's acceptance policy excludes.
Process
How a corporate FX relationship works
A typical sequence. Your account manager guides each stage; onboarding checks are run by the regulated provider.
- 01
Initial conversation
You explain your currencies, volumes, counterparties and timing. Your account manager identifies the services and pricing that fit.
- 02
Account onboarding
The regulated payment provider runs its identity, business and compliance checks before your account opens.
- 03
Request a quote
For each conversion your account manager quotes a rate, either for now (spot) or a future date (forward).
- 04
Fund the trade
You send the source currency directly to the regulated provider's account by the agreed settlement time, never to Ocean Capital Exchange Ltd.
- 05
Pay or hold
Converted funds are paid to a beneficiary or held in a currency balance, where available for that currency.
Payment rails such as SWIFT, SEPA, ACH, Fedwire and UK Faster Payments may be used. Which rails apply depends on the provider, currency and corridor and is confirmed before you rely on it.
In practice
Typical uses
Common reasons a business sets up a corporate FX arrangement:
- Supplier invoices
- Paying a foreign-currency invoice on its due date at a known rate.
- Budget certainty
- Fixing a rate in advance for known future costs or receipts.
- Overseas receipts
- Collecting customer payments and converting them when it suits cash flow.
- Group funding
- Moving money to overseas operations or paying staff abroad.
- Amount to convertSource currency: GBP
- £120,000.00
- Hypothetical mid-market rateEUR per £1, for reference
- 1.1700
- Hypothetical quoted rateIncludes the FX margin
- 1.1650
- FX margin cost£120,000 × (1 − 1.1650 ÷ 1.1700)
- £512.82
- Euros received by supplier£120,000 × 1.1650, before any third-party charges
- €139,800.00
All figures are hypothetical, chosen to show the arithmetic. They are not current, typical or offered rates. No separate transfer fee is shown because one is not typically charged; third-party or intermediary bank charges may apply in particular circumstances.
Weighing it up
Benefits and material limitations
Weigh both before moving currency flows away from your bank.
Benefits
- Competitive pricing
- Quotes can be compared against a mid-market reference at the time of dealing.
- Choice of timing
- Spot and forward options let you convert now or fix a rate for later.
- Dedicated account manager
- One named OCE contact who knows your flows and helps with unusual payments or deadlines.
- One place for flows
- A partner platform can combine conversions, payments and balances.
- Wide currency reach
- Access to over 130 currencies, including less commonly traded African and Asian currencies.
Material limitations
- Rates still move
- Unhedged amounts remain exposed until converted.
- Currency-specific coverage
- Not every currency supports every payment method, collection account, forward or settlement route.
- Onboarding time
- Accounts open only after the partner's checks are complete.
- Forward obligations
- Forward contracts are binding and may require deposits or margin.
Due diligence
What the provider assesses
Onboarding checks are carried out by the regulated payment provider. Your account manager helps you prepare. Areas commonly reviewed include:
- Business identity
- Registration, ownership and control.
- Nature of trade
- What you buy and sell, and with which countries.
- Expected activity
- Currencies, volumes and frequency of payments.
- Source of funds
- Where the money you convert comes from.
Information often requested
- Certificate of incorporation or equivalent registration *non-UK only
- Identification for directors and beneficial owners
- Proof of business address *non-UK only
- A description of expected payment volumes, currencies and counterparties
The provider sets its own criteria, may ask for more information and can decline an application. Currency and destination availability is confirmed once your business has been reviewed.
Pricing structure
Costs and settlement
Costs depend on the currency pair, amount and service. Your account manager confirms the rate before you deal. Look for:
- Exchange margin
- The difference between the rate you are given and the mid-market rate. This is usually the main cost, and where competitive pricing matters most.
- Third-party charges
- Intermediary or receiving-bank deductions may apply on some international routes. Separate transfer fees are not typically charged by OCE.
- Forward deposits
- Initial deposits or margin calls on forward contracts, which are funds committed rather than fees.
Settlement and timing
- Spot trades are normally funded by an agreed settlement date before funds are released.
- Forward contracts settle on the agreed date; the balance must be paid in full.
- Late funding can lead to the trade being closed out at your cost under the provider's terms.
Checklist for comparing quotes
- 1.Exchange rate quoted at the exact same time
- 2.Total conversion cost and the amount your beneficiary receives
- 3.Intermediary and receiving-bank charges
- 4.Settlement cutoff times and value dates
- 5.Which regulated provider holds your funds and how they are safeguarded
Hypothetical illustration
Check the arithmetic of a single conversion
Enter an amount and a rate from a real quote to check the converted figure. It does not fetch live rates. Third-party or intermediary bank charges may apply in some circumstances.
Illustrative example only
Your actual exchange rate, costs or savings may differ after Ocean Capital Exchange and the relevant provider review your requirements. These figures are not a live rate or a binding quote.
Hypothetical result
Complete every field to see a result (0 of 2 entered).
0 of 2 required figures entered
Assumptions, and what this leaves out
- Direction: you sell the source currency and buy the destination currency.
- The full source amount is converted; no separate individual transfer fee is modelled.
- The rate you enter is assumed to already include any margin; no separate spread is added.
- Third-party or intermediary bank charges may apply in particular circumstances and are excluded from this illustration.
- Excluded: provider margin not reflected in your rate, intermediary or receiving-bank charges, card or platform fees, tax and any credit or margin calls.
Results are arithmetic on your inputs only. They are not a quote, an offer or advice, and no provider has priced them.
Want to discuss these figures? Open our enquiry form (opens in a new tab). Calculator figures are not transferred automatically, so please include any you want us to review.
Corporate FX questions
Still unsure? Call +44 20 7183 2026.
Who do I work with, and who holds my money?
You work with Ocean Capital Exchange for pricing, expertise and account management. Payment services are provided by appropriately regulated third-party providers. You never send funds to Ocean Capital Exchange Ltd; funds go directly to accounts owned and operated by the relevant regulated payment service provider.
Which currencies can I use?
Over 130 currencies are available through our providers, including less commonly traded currencies such as MWK, GHS, VND and ZMW. Payment methods, collection accounts, forwards and settlement routes vary by currency and destination and are confirmed for your specific requirement.
What is the difference between spot and forward?
Spot converts at a rate agreed now for near-term settlement. A forward fixes a rate today for settlement on a later date.
How is the cost made up?
Mainly the exchange margin built into the rate. Separate transfer fees are not typically charged, although third-party or intermediary bank charges can apply on some routes. Compare the full amount received, not just the headline rate.
Can I keep my existing bank?
Yes. Many businesses keep their bank account and use Ocean Capital Exchange only for currency conversions and overseas payments.
How long does onboarding take?
It depends on the provider's checks and how quickly information is supplied. Your account manager keeps the process moving, but timelines are not guaranteed.
Independent background reading
These independent sources explain general concepts. They do not endorse Ocean Capital Exchange or confirm our providers, product availability or terms. Your provider’s agreement takes precedence over an illustration.
Important information
Ocean Capital Exchange Ltd (company number 11665955) provides account management and currency expertise. Underlying payment services and financial infrastructure are provided by appropriately regulated third-party providers under their own terms.
Customers never send funds to Ocean Capital Exchange Ltd, and it does not hold client money or execute payments. Funds are sent directly to accounts owned and operated by the relevant regulated payment service provider. The provider responsible for your account, its regulatory status and complaint route are set out in its terms and on our Security and legal page.
This page is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Examples and calculator results are hypothetical arithmetic, not quotes, offers or predictions. Exchange rates move and no outcome is guaranteed.
Talk through your currency flows
Tell us which currencies you pay and receive, how often and in what amounts. Your account manager will set out the services and pricing that fit.
- Or call
- +44 20 7183 2026
- Office
- 73 Watling Street, London, EC4M 9BJ