Sector News

Minimising Financial Wastage

06 Sep, 2022

Quality Principle 8.2.2 of ACFID’s Code of Conduct mentions that members should be effective in their use of resources and minimise financial wastage. Unfortunately, adherence for industry participants can be a challenge when dealing with the hidden costs of international payments. Consequently, wastage is prevalent and at times unknown when sending funds across borders. This can include wastage from:

1.      Transfer fees

2.      FX margin on currency conversions by sending financial institution

3.      Intermediary bank fees

4.      Beneficiary bank fees

5.      FX margin on currency conversion by the receiving financial institution

6.      Investigation fees for when funds do not arrive as intended

StoneX Global Payments Michael Stachowiak, Head of Business Development, Australia and New Zealand, tells ACFID “The FX margin by the receiving financial institution, in particular, is the most significant and opaque of these costs as you have no control over the conversion process when done locally.”

This is most commonly seen when sending hard currency (AUD, USD) to project/partner markets. There is a common misconception by partners that they can receive a better rate converting the funds locally with their bank, however being a captive client, this is not always the case.

“Using local currency (or, as some call it, the functional currency) provides greater control, transparency and ultimately savings over how much money is received by partners in country, helping to minimise financial wastage for charities sending funds overseas”

Furthermore, the Code goes on to mention the measurement, analysis and review of financial performance in Compliance Indicator 8.2.3., One interpretation for charities working overseas can be to periodically benchmark one's provider to demonstrate best practice adherence. The best provider today may not be the best provider tomorrow - so always review and monitor.

Join StoneX Global Payments at the ACFID National Conference as we unpack these hidden costs and help members better review their financial performance and minimise financial wastage for their overseas transfers and help maximise their donor funds.

ACFID formed a Corporate Partnership with StoneX Global Payments, one of the world's leading Global Payment Exchange providers, in 2020, after their years of longstanding support and sponsorship of the ACFID National Conference.

2022 ©StoneX Financial Ltd (Company). All rights reserved. The Company is registered in England and Wales with company number 5616586 and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN446717. This document and the information herein is provided confidentially for information purposes only to the recipient and shall not be deemed to be an offer for the sale or purchase of any financial services product transaction or advice.  This information is provided on an ‘as-is’ basis and may contain statements and opinions of the Company as well as excerpts and/or information from public sources and third parties to which no warranty, whether express or implied, is given as to its accuracy. The Company (on its behalf and on behalf of its group, directors, employees and agents) disclaims any and all liability as well as any third party claim that may arise from the accuracy and completeness of the information detailed herein, as well as the use of or reliance on this information by the recipient, any member of its group or any third party.

Key definitions:

Captive client: a client who is reluctant to change their product or vendor with another, due to its high cost (in terms of money, effort, discomfort etc)

Hard currency: a stable and reliable currency that is not likely to fluctuate or depreciate suddenly.

Intermediary: a person or agency that acts as the middleman between two parties in a financial transaction. For example, a bank or stockbroker. 

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