1st Contact Forex was established by 1st Contact in 2001 to offer their clients a speedy, secure and cost effective money transfer service, with very competitive exchange rates and an extremely high service level. Continue Reading

The 1st Contact Forex reviews cover the movements between the New Zealand Dollar, Australian Dollar and South African Rand in relation to the British Pound.

The following exchange rates are based on “interbank” rates. If you want to transfer money to South Africa, Australia or New Zealand, then please register/login or call us for a live dealing rate.

Make use of a Rate Notifier to send you alerts when the AUD, ZAR or NZD reaches levels you are looking for. Continue Reading

Money Transfer with 1st Contact VS The High-street Banks

Which can save you up to AUD 65 per 1000 you transfer? Continue Reading

Banks are not the only option for Foreign exchange and international remittance. Most consumers don’t know this. Ironically the high street banks know that most consumers don’t know this, which all causes a very strange economical phenomenon: Banks hold a façade monopoly position in the Foreign exchange and remittance markets, whereby they continue to offer sub-standard service at exorbitant prices to an unknowing public.

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Spain has long been a favourite holiday destination with literally millions of Brits visiting the country each year – and this summer will probably be no different. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your Spanish holiday money, should you be planning a trip to Spain in 2011. Continue Reading

This month we look at fascinating Poland, a country rich in history, with a population of 39 million people. Continue Reading

As of  the 7^th of June 2011, 1^st Contact Forex has reduced their Euro transfer fees from £15 to just £5 per transfer.

The move is part of 1st Contact’s ongoing quest to bring savings to all their clients, across all divisions and business units.

“Transfers to Europe have been on the increase and we wanted to find a way to save our Forex clients money”, says Gemma Cloete of 1st Contact Forex.  “So we have been looking at various ways to streamline our Euro transfer process, cut down on our costs and thereby cut down on our fees.  We have been working very hard to cut our transfer costs – before, each euro transfer was processed individually whereas now we are able to batch the payments together, which allows for a huge saving on our side. And as always, when we save, we like to pass that saving on to our clients.” Continue Reading

Do you have a pressing question you think our experts may be able to help with?

Submit your questions here and it may be featured in the next issue of 1st Contact eNews.

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You’re finally going on that travel holiday you’ve always dreamed of. But with the tickets booked and the itinerary planned, it’s time to give serious thought to the practical details – for example, how will you be carrying your travel money? Continue Reading

If you’re planning to visit Europe these holidays, make sure you make the most of your spending money with the 1^st Contact Euro Travel Card. Designed specifically to be used in Europe, it will save you plenty of hassle and put more money in your pocket!

How does it work?

The 1^st Contact Euro Travel Money Card is essentially a MasterCard Debit Card pre-loaded with Euro, so you’ll be paying like a local and saving on high bank charges and commissions, leaving you more cash to spend on your travels!

A money-saving fee structure

Unlike many other foreign exchange products, the 1^st Contact Travel Money Card charges no commission, and there are no charges for swiping the card in restaurants or shops in Europe. In fact, the only charges are for the purchase of the card (€ 12.50), a small fee for ATM withdrawals and a small card replacement fee, should you lose your card.

Save up before your holiday

One of the great benefits of the Card is that you can load money onto it in the weeks leading up to your holiday, and because it can only be used in Europe, you won’t be tempted to spend your travel money before you leave!

Easily manage your money

You have the option of managing your Travel Money Card via our secure online system or via SMS. Load funds, transfer money or check your balances any time, day or night, as often as you like.

Excellent, transparent Exchange Rates

With 1^st Contact Forex, the rate you see online when you load your money is the exact rate you’ll get, so there’ll be no nasty surprises when you check your balances. And because of the buying power of 1^st Contact Forex, you are also guaranteed one of the best exchange rates available, meaning an even greater saving!

Rand and Dollar Card options available

If you’re planning to visit South Africa or the United States, we also offer Travel Money Card for these destinations, with all the benefits of the Euro Card!

For more information or to order your 1^st Contact Travel Money Card, visit www.1stcontactforex.com, or call  0808 141 1685

Start planning your travel money now. If you’re a South African living in the UK and looking forward to heading back to SA for some sunshine and family time over the December holidays, you’re probably already calculating how much you’ll have to spend on all that delectable seafood and steak, the sugar cones, mojitos and cosmos…. Don’t stress – the Rand Travel Card will make you feel like a local again, paying in Rands! Continue Reading

Forums and chat sites frequented by Expats are constantly littered with questions like: “How do I send money home?” Absurdly, most of the advice received sends the questioner to the bank – probably the most expensive and inconvenient way to transfer money overseas! Continue Reading

It’s no surprise that the economic pressure facing Britain has taken its toll on the Pound. Ernst Janse van Rensburg, manager of 1st Contact’s expert Forex division predicted some months ago that the Pound would indeed weaken and the Rand would be set to strengthen, which certainly is now the case. Continue Reading

According to expert Forex consultancy, 1st Contact, a multitude of foreign exchange and money transfer companies are guilty of making false claims that lure unsuspecting consumers into misleading territory. These misleading claims have been seen in the advertisements of various Forex companies that promise ‘inter bank’ exchange rates to individuals that are simply impossible to secure. This has resulted in grave disappointment when the actual funds that clear into the individual’s bank account are less or different to what they had originally anticipated. Continue Reading

There is no doubt Britain has been a casualty in the current financial crisis with the weaker pound under immense pressure. While speculation is difficult and always risky for the analyst, expert Forex firm, 1st Contact’s Ernst van Rensburg says there are possible trends one can identify for the foreseeable future. Continue Reading

It does seem these days that we want everything now, or even yesterday.
So, why can’t we wait? Patience is a virtue, right? Okay, now try telling that to someone running late to meet a friend when their train has been delayed! The thing is, in the modern world where we live, gratification needs to be fast or better-still, immediate. That is the way things are set up. We want fast-food at our restaurant before we get hungry; give us broad-band, not dial-up or we fall asleep; quick service is not synonymous with poor service any longer; things are expected to be quick and accurate. Continue Reading

Despite the economic peril that has flooded the UK’s financial markets, and with Christmas festivities around the corner, expert financial services and migration group, 1st Contact, offers some tips and tricks to curb the bitter aftermath brought upon by a waning economy over the festive season. Continue Reading

1st Contact Forex Reveals all the Hidden Facts Governing International Money Transfers

Unbeknown to most people, one of the most expensive ways of transferring money to international destinations is through banks, where many individuals are bearing the brunt of various additional costs. Continue Reading