Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why CanadianForex, why not my bank?

The most compelling reason is a better exchange rate. For private client transfers we regularly save customers thousands of dollars, and for bigger transfers, the savings can run into the tens of thousands. Why are the bank rates so bad? You would have to ask them.

We also offer superb 24-hour dedicated dealer service, great technology, and in most cases can enable customers to deal in less than 10 minutes.

For corporate customers we offer better rates and fee free dealing, and you also have proven expertise at your disposal to help you manage your foreign exchange risk.

Another key difference is that CanadianForex offers forward contracts so you can lock in exchange rates prior to the transfer of funds. CanadianForex also offers limit orders to private and corporate customers so you can take advantage of favourable market movements even when you sleep.

Is my money safe when dealing with CanadianForex?

 CanadianForex is part of the OzForex Group which also includes OzForex, UKForex, NZForex, ClearFX and Tranzfers. The Group is a strategic investment of Macquarie Bank, Accel Partners and the Carlyle Group.

Since its launch in 1998, the OzForex Group has grown to be one of the world's largest foreign exchange companies. The Group completes over 300,000 funds transfers per year on behalf of 100,000 dealing customers, and has an annual turnover of US$7 billion.

In Canada, CanadianForex is registered with FINTRAC (Reporting Entity Number M08560392). 

CanadianForex holds client funds in accounts with highly rated financial institutions. In addition, CanadianForex operates an extremely low risk business model whereby CanadianForex never pays out client funds prior to receipt of the currency the client has sold to us. This ensures CanadianForex has zero default risk from client dealings.

What is the process for dealing with CanadianForex?

Simply register (no cost or obligation) with us via the website for immediate access to the dealing system.

After you register, an CanadianForex dealer will call you (unless you call us first) to discuss your transfer and make sure the system is set up correctly for your needs. This is also a great time to ask any questions you may have about the service.

In many cases we will be able to electronically identify you, so we can speed up the identification process. If we cannot complete this process electronically we will advise you of any information you need to send us.

You can book exchange rates with us 24-hours a day Monday to Friday. When you book your first deal we will call you to confirm the transaction and discuss payment options and subsequent payments can be managed completely online (or by phone if you prefer). Once those funds have been received by us we will send the currency you have purchased electronically to your beneficiary.

Can I lock in an exchange rate before you have my funds?

Yes, the sequence of a deal is as follows:

  1. Lock-in a binding exchange rate and provide beneficiary details,
  2. Send us the currency you have sold, and
  3. When your funds are received by us we send the currency you have bought to your beneficiary.

How long does a transfer take?

In many cases the transfer will reach the beneficiary after four business days, but sometimes it can take six business days or longer depending on the countries and currencies involved. Ask your dealer for more information if the transfer is urgent.

How do customers pay funds to CanadianForex?

There are numerous methods of transferring funds to CanadianForex.

CanadianForex maintains accounts in all major currencies, ensuring you can transfer funds quickly and reliably to us. Banks in most countries have Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) as an option in internet banking and this is the most common way customers send funds to us.

In Canada any client can get funds to us fee-free from any CAD or USD account by putting in place a Pre Authorised Debit. Alternatively, most Canadians are able to use Bill Payment via their internet banking platform to send payment to us manually with no fees from their own bank.

Please note we do not accept cash or cheques into our accounts, nor do we pay out in any of these forms.

When I buy currency through CanadianForex when do I need to pay my funds to CanadianForex?

When you book a rate/deal on our system it is binding and we request that you initiate the transfer of funds to us no later than 48 hours after booking the deal, but preferably the same day. We would normally receive the funds within 12-72 hours of you sending your transfer to us depending on the method of transfer.

In some cases it takes longer for customers to get funds to us because banking systems may be slow or special arrangements need to be made. In such cases simply advise your dealer and they should be able to accommodate your situation. CanadianForex will send your outward payment when your funds have cleared in the CanadianForex account.

What are forward contracts and who can use them?

Forward contracts reduce your exchange rate risk by letting you lock in an exchange rate now even though the actual funds transfer won't take place until a later date.

Both corporate and private customers can use forward contracts. For private customers forward contracts usually require a deposit based on the amount being transferred. For more information please call and speak to a dealer.

What are limit orders and who can use them?

A limit order lets customers instruct us to buy or sell one currency for another currency at a target rate that is better than the current market rate. Customers leave such orders with us to take advantage of exchange rate movements that occur when they may not be able to monitor rates themselves or during overnight markets when they are asleep.

Why are CanadianForex rates so competitive?

We offer rates that are fair to clients and at the same time offer a reasonable return for us. We can do this because we transact large volumes in the interbank market and can pass on these rate savings to our clients. Efficiencies generated by our automated processes also mean we keep overheads low and can process deals quickly and reliably.

What is the background of CanadianForex?

CanadianForex is a wholly owned subsidiary of OzForex, a strategic investment of Macquarie Bank, Accel Partners and the Carlyle Group. CanadianForex is part of the OzForex Group which also includes OzForex, UKForex, NZForex, ClearFX and Tranzfers.

OzForex was founded in April 1998 in Sydney by Matt Gilmour. Matt is a senior figure in the Australian foreign exchange industry having held senior management positions with Westpac, Bankers Trust and UBS Warburg. Having recognised that the needs of individuals and smaller companies were being poorly served by the mainstream banks Matt created OzForex to provide better rates and service for those customers. OzForex has grown strongly since its inception and is now one of the world's largest online foreign exchange providers. In 2007 OzForex became a subsidiary of Macquarie Bank and became the foreign exchange service provider to Macquarie's 700,000 retail clients.

In November 2010, Macquarie was joined by Accel Partners and the Carlyle Group as strategic investors in the company. OzForex remains true to its non bank competitive origins and has benefited by having large and respected strategic investors, like Macquarie Bank, Accel Partners and the Carlyle Group.

How popular is CanadianForex?

CanadianForex currently serves over 100,000 customers, who complete over 300,000 transfers per year.

The OzForex group of websites are the biggest currency focused websites in the Southern Hemisphere and are ranked in the top five currency websites globally. CanadianForex caters to over 400,000 visitors a month and over 12,000,000 page views per year.

Who can use the CanadianForex Payments Service?

Companies and individuals who wish to send money in a foreign currency to a person or company in another country can use the CanadianForex service. The recipient of the transfer must have a bank account that funds can be paid into. Often private customers are sending money between their own accounts in two different countries. Corporate customers are usually transferring funds to overseas suppliers, or repatriating overseas earnings.

I am an importer; can I use the service?

Yes, a large proportion of our corporate clients are importers. Once registered with CanadianForex you can set up all your suppliers in your online beneficiary library, so you don't need to re-key their details each time you have a payment to make. You can also send us the details via fax or email and we can have them entered into our system for you. CanadianForex is committed to having super-competitive rates and if you make regular payments, you will be surprised how quickly the savings add up.

I am an exporter; can I use the service?

Yes, exporters can streamline the management of their foreign currency receipts by using CanadianForex to receive and convert funds. This can be done by providing foreign customers with the CanadianForex bank details and advising CanadianForex of the expected receipts. Once the funds arrive in our account, you will be notified and you can either immediately convert the funds or wait for a more favourable rate. Alternatively exporters can lock in a rate in advance and then remit foreign currency directly from their own account to ours.

I am not comfortable using the Internet, can I still deal through CanadianForex?

Yes, you can call us and speak to one of our accredited dealers to book your deal. We provide the same unbeatable rates by phone on 1800 6800 780 as we do online. From the UK you can call us on 0845 686 1950. If you are in NZ you can call us on 0800 161 868, and if you are calling fromAustralia dial 1300 300 424.

Is a telegraphic transfer, a wire and a TT the same thing?

Yes, they are one and the same. A telegraphic transfer is a means of electronically making payments between banks and is a more efficient method than using 'bank drafts', a paper based system. CanadianForex does not support 'bank drafts'. If you are sending a telegraphic transfer it is important that you provide accurate details of the recipient's banking details. The account name and account number must be correct and you must also provide us with either the recipient's bank address and/or the beneficiary's bank Swift/ABA/Sort Code depending on the country where the account is held.

What are Swift codes, ABA & IBAN numbers and Sort Codes?

The SWIFT system is a secure messaging system that allows banks to instruct each other on payments and accounts that they hold with each other. Sometimes it is sufficient to provide a branch code, such as a BSB code in Australia, or Sort code in the UK. In America we need ABA codes (also known as routing numbers). In Europe we need an IBAN number. These codes allow the CanadianForex operations team to accurately identify the bank and branch where your money is being sent.

I am happy with my current provider, can I still use CanadianForex?

Yes, the vast majority of the CanadianForex site is open to the public and is free. You will find charts, calculators, historical rates, commentary and a wealth of currency related information. You can even log in to the payments service, free of charge and without commitment, to check our rates and keep your existing provider honest.

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© 2011 Copyright CanadianForex Limited

The CanadianForex service is owned and provided by CanadianForex Limited [CN: 674939-9] ("CanadianForex"). Any reference on this page to "we", "us", or "our" is a reference to CanadianForex.

CanadianForex is part of the global OzForex Group and is a wholly owned subsidiary of OzForex Pty Ltd (ACN: 092 375 703), an Australian company, whose shareholders include Accel Partners and the Carlyle Group in the US, and Macquarie Bank in Australia.
 
Where any information is provided by CanadianForex, it is done so without considering the investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any person. Before acting on any general advice, you should consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. To the extent permitted by law, CanadianForex makes no warranty as to the accuracy or suitability of any information and accepts no responsibility for errors or misstatements, negligent or otherwise. Any quotes given are indicative only. The information may be based on assumptions or market conditions and may change without notice. No part of the information is to be construed as a solicitation to make a financial investment.

DISCLAIMER: CanadianForex makes no warranty, express or implied, concerning the suitability, completeness, quality or exactness of the information and models provided in this web site. Read full disclaimer.

CanadianForex provides international money transfer services to private clients and business customers. Use our free currency converter, exchange rate charts, economic calendar, in-depth currency news and updates and benefit from competitive exchange rates and outstanding customer service.