GeraCash · Exchange Rate Guide
What is the mid-market exchange rate?
The mid-market rate (also called the interbank rate or real exchange rate) is the midpoint between the buy and sell prices of two currencies in the wholesale foreign exchange market. It is the rate you see on Google or XE.com. Individual consumers and businesses never receive the mid-market rate directly — providers apply a margin on top. The question is how large that margin is, which varies significantly between providers.
Comparing exchange rate margins
High street bank margins on international transfers typically range from 3-5% above the mid-market rate. Online transfer services generally charge 0.5-2.5%. GeraCash shows the mid-market rate and our applied margin transparently before every transfer so you can compare. A 2% difference on a £1,000 transfer is £20 — meaningful when sending regularly.
Should I time my transfer for better rates?
Currency rates fluctuate continuously based on economic data, geopolitical events, and market sentiment. Attempting to time transfers around rate movements is difficult even for professional traders. For regular remittances, the best approach is to use a provider with consistently low margins rather than trying to time market movements. GeraCash offers rate alerts for specific currency pairs if you want to monitor for favourable windows.
Transfer money with GeraCash
Transparent exchange rates. No hidden margins. Send to 20+ countries.