Repatriation of salary and overseas bonuses
What do you do if you receive a bonus payment or company shares in US dollars when really you need it in GBP? Also, what about when you buy shares in companies abroad and decide it's time to cash them in, how do you get them transferred to the right currency? When it comes to the repatriation of salary, the amount you get is dependent on the exchange rate between the currency you earn in and where you'd like to deposit it. Here's some handy repatriation of salary advice on how to transfer your money internationally and get the best bang for your buck.
Shop around for the best rate
It's no secret that exchange rates vary, and companies that change currencies will take a cut for themselves; that's how they make their money. Therefore, do your research on money transfer companies, such as those listed on our site, that can move large sums of money from a bank account in one country to another account and see who offers the best rate.
Set a time to transfer money
As it goes, an inevitable issue with exchange rates is that they often fluctuate according to economic conditions and other factors at the time. It's possible that when it comes around to transferring your bonus, the rate might not work in your favour and you will get less money than if you had been able to transfer weeks or months before.
In order to avoid this pesky predicament, and if you are expecting to receive a bonus or are planning to cash in some shares, book to get your money changed in advance – through some companies you can do this up to a year in advance by purchasing a forward contract. As a result of booking your transfer in advance, you will know exactly what rate you will get in the future and could potentially secure a better one if you book at the right time!
Arrange for your employer to transfer through a company
Granted, it can be tempting to gather money in a bank account in the country where you're working and then transfer it from there, but it may not be the easiest way. What will save you some time is if you arrange for your employer to transfer the money through a currency exchange firm. That way, whenever your salary or bonus comes through, then another company can take care of it for you.
Look at protection options
Another important option to consider if you're expecting a bonus is whether there are protection options available. It's difficult to predict how rates are going to move in the future so when you look to lock into a forward contract, you never quite know whether you'll profit from this in the long run or not. When you see a rate that doesn't seem that great but you aren't sure if it will drop lower in the future you may feel tempted to lock in at this point, but there is another option too. What you could do is lock into a worst case scenario option, which will allow you protection against a fall in rates but let you see the benefits of the money you will transfer if it moves in your favour.
Confident with the process? Compare international money transfer providers to find your best fit.