FX savings calculator: importers and exporters

Do you know how much extra you have been paying in forex spreads and fees – and what you could be saving, starting next week?

These are costs many take as a cost of doing international business. But often this is where you can make significant savings. Want to check for yourself? Simply put in a typical year of the foreign currency you buy or sell, and we will price the spread in your rate and your bank's payment fees (based on actual or else their published 2026 fees).

We then estimate how much you could save under the preferential arrangement we have negotiated for our clients with our preferred FX provider, which comes at no extra cost (and includes very competitive rates, single-cost transfer fees, full online platform and top-notch service and support). And all backed by over 120 years' combined experience in international banking.

Start your savings estimate with a typical year of foreign exchange, even if you do not know your bank's spread

Everything you enter stays in your browser until you ask for the full comparison.

Step 1In what capacity are you transacting forex?
Step 2

Let's work out your bank's current margin and fees.

Until you enter a figure or a deal, we use your bank's published fee and an indicative spread, based on the banks' published rates on 12 October 2026, and say so in your results. Your actual spread depends on your own bank's pricing.

Bank 1

Exchange rate used in your estimate

Your estimate is worked out at the latest daily reference rate. You can replace it with a rate of your own.

Reference rate for USD: loading.

Your bank's rate is the reference rate plus its spread when you send money abroad (outward) and minus its spread when you receive money from abroad (inward).

Numbers are written the South African way: a space between thousands and a point for decimals, so 400 000.00 and 16.5578. The boxes set this out as you type; a comma typed in a rate becomes the decimal point.

Step 3

Tell us your estimated trade volumes per year.

Add a row for each kind of payment or receipt: outward and inward, and each currency.

Enter your average payment or receipt size and how many a year (4 a month is 48 a year). A bank's fee has a minimum and a maximum, so one average can give the wrong fee when your payments and receipts vary a lot in size. If they do, use one row for each typical size, up to six rows, with how many of each a year.

Our preferred FX provider, used in the comparison. We have negotiated a special arrangement for our clients: very competitive rates and a single-cost transfer fee that includes foreign bank costs. Final pricing is agreed per client after a review of volume and existing terms. You do not need to change your normal banking relationship: this gives you an extra option, at no extra cost.