A look back at Global Reach

Global Reach (officially: Global Reach Partners Limited) was originally established in 2001 as four separate brand names; Corporate FX, Private FX, Smart FX and Travel FX, which were merged into Global Reach in 2012. While trading as Global Reach, the firm helped clients move money internationally for over two decades. With an employee count of around 120, Global Reach was by no means the largest provider in the industry but it certainly wasn’t one of the smallest either.

The focus of Global Reach was very much as a currency broker, as opposed to an online money transfer provider.

Global Reach built a team with significant foreign exchange knowledge at its core and it seems like most of the team will stay in place at Corpay.

Key developments for the firm have included:

• 2001: Global Reach Group founded (under the four previous brand names).
• 2005: Foreign Currency Exchange founded.
• 2006: First international office opened – Cyprus.
• 2011: Global Reach Markets gained FCA regulation for investment products (clients can trade options through Global Reach Markets still today).
• 2013: Global Reach Group acquired PSG FX.
• 2014: The firm became an FCA authorised E-Money Institution
• 2016: Global Reach bolstered its business with the backing of leading UK private equity firm, Inflexion Private Equity. Inflexion invests in high growth, entrepreneurial businesses with ambitious management teams and works in partnership with them to deliver growth. Later in the same year, Global Reach acquired FX Exchange too.
• 2018: Launched an overseas office in the Netherlands. Rebranded FX Exchange to Global Reach (private clients).
• 2019: Not long after opening an office in the Netherlands a Spanish office was established.
• 2020: Global Reach Canada founded with presence in seven locations (by acquiring Canadian firm EncoreFX).
• 2021: Partnered with Wolves Football Club as the team’s official payments partner (partnership continues under Corpay).
• 2022: Became a Feefo platinum trusted provider for the second year in a row.
• 2023: Acquired by FLEETCOR and now trading as Corpay.

Global Reach grew its presence both organically and through acquisitions, helping to establish a large international footprint covering the UK, Europe and Canada.

The company started off by focusing on corporate clients, and this was reflected in their numbers which demonstrated high trading volumes per client (with just over 32,000 clients in 2022 and roughly £7bn traded every year, each client was moving around £200,000 annually).

Who was FC Exchange?

London-headquartered FC Exchange (FC standing for “foreign currency”) was established in 2005, and held a 1A2 Credit Rating from D&B. Following the merger with FC Exchange, Global Reach Group traded more than £7bn annually with both companies combined.

FC Exchange’s unique selling point was customer satisfaction. Unlike other companies in the industry who reward dealers and account managers based on how much profit they’ve turned for the company, FC Exchange took a different approach. FC Exchange chose to measure their employees by the level of satisfaction and retention of the clients they were handling. Throughout its time as a standalone operation, FC Exchange helped over 25,000 people move money between 2005 – 2016. Most of its staff were retained through the merger.

The integration of FC Exchange into the wider Global Reach Group meant that, as well as being at the forefront of corporate foreign exchange, Global Reach was able to offer the same level of service to private individuals. Corpay is available for both private and corporate clients.

Merged Company – Global Reach Group – from October, 2018

After the merger in 2016, it was decided that FC Exchange would handle all private clients, whilst Global Reach would be fully dedicated to corporate clients. This had been the situation until October 2018, when FC Exchange rebranded itself as Global Reach Group UK private client desk. The two companies are now named simply Global Reach, and this Global Reach money transfer review entails both firms.

The CEO of Global Reach was Nicholas Fullerton, who was also CEO and co-founder of FC Exchange. It is not yet clear if Nicholas has maintained the role at Corpay.

Acquisition by Fleetcor – January, 2023

FLEETCOR expanded its cross-border payments operations in the UK, EU and Canada with the acquisition of Global Reach.

Background: Corpay is part of FLEETCOR Technologies, an S&P 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of over $22 billion.

FLEETCOR entered the cross-border payments space in 2017 with the acquisition of Cambridge FX. A company which had operated in the industry for over 25 years and built a client base of over 14,000 businesses.

In 2021, FLEETCOR acquired Associated Foreign Exchange (AFEX) for a reported $500 million, another major international cross-border payments provider. In acquiring AFEX, this grew the business to approximately 30,000 customers, processing more than $65 billion in annual volume. It also took their global operations to 12 countries on three continents. In the same year, FLEETCOR unified a number of its corporate payments subsidiaries including Nvoicepay, Comdata Corporate Payments, CambridgeFX, AFEX and Roger under the new Corpay brand.

The acquisition of Global Reach has bolstered FLEETCOR’s international payments footprint in the UK, EU, and Canada, building on their already established footprint in North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Today, the firm trades over $73 billion annually and can help customers in over 100 countries and 145 currencies.

The sheer number of businesses that have been brought under the Corpay brand makes for an expansive product offering that uniquely positions the firm in a category of its own. As far as we’re aware, it’s the only provider to offer cross-border payments alongside a comprehensive vendor management solution, which includes the ability to create purchase orders and customise approval workflows. Both invoices and payments can be automated. Other solutions include currency risk management and virtual payment cards.

Corpay Regulation:

With offices in the UK, Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and Singapore, Corpay has extensive licensing capabilities and there are various regulations that it must comply with. Below we have listed some of Corpay’s key licensing details.

Canada

• Ontario corporation: 1980873
• FINTRAC Money Services Business license: M17163510
• Quebec Money Services Business license: 900009
• Global Markets Entity Identifier (GMEI): 5493007HHN4G8PA5MS11

United States

• Delaware corporation: 3359789
• FinCEN Money Services Business registration: 3100013907918
• Global Markets Entity Identifier (GMEI): 549300E6BD9BP1l0G794
• Licensed Money Transmitter

UK

• England & Wales company: 05271222
• Financial Conduct Authority: FRN 900702 – for the provision of electronic money and payment services
• Information Commissioner’s Office Registration Number: ZA031019

Ireland and the EEA

• Company number: 597582
• Authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland as a Payment Institution pursuant to Regulation 18 of the European Union
• Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC)
• Global Intermediary Identification Number (GIIN): J3427P.00005.ME.372

Australia

• Australian business number: 85 126 642 448;
• Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC)
• AFSL: 351278

Singapore

• CMS License Number: CMS101059;
• Payment License Number: PS20200055;
• Global Intermediary Identification Number (GIIN): J3427P.00007.ME.702.

Corpay has won a number of awards:

• Top 10 in Enterprise Payment Software (2021)
• Global Payroll Association Award: International Payroll Payments Provider of the Year (2019)
• ITIJ Award: Specialist Provider of the Year (2018)
• Canada’s Best Managed Companies Award (2017; two-time winner)
• Global Finance Magazine FX Product Innovation Award: Cambridge Link Mobile Application (2017)

Global Reach also gained a high level of recognition in various categories:

• Feefo 2022 Platinum Service Awards
• Electronic Money Award 2022 – Overall Payment Solution of the year
• Payments Awards 2022 – Best Cross-Border Payments Service
• Global Forex Awards B2B 2022 – Best Payments Solutions Provider
• Feefo 2021 Platinum Service Awards
• Department for International Trade Business Awards – Best New to Market Portugal
• Feefo 2019 Gold Service Award
• UK Forex Awards 2018 – Best Forex Payment Technology Solution
• Best Small Companies to Work For 2014 – The Sunday Times
• Sunday Times Profit Fast Track 100 (2012)
• Credit Level A2, Dun & Bradstreet
• Best Accreditation Standard (b.co.uk): Best Company To Work For 2016

Global Reach FX was a highly reliable money transfer company in itself. In fact, it was undeniably one of the top 10 firms of its kind in the UK. The currency broker was in business for longer than the vast majority of its competitors, moved large volumes of currency abroad each year, and maintained excellent feedback from its clients. With the acquisition of FC Exchange and EncoreFX, the company bolstered its . annual trading volumes from £5bn to £7bn.

Then, ultimately, the acquisition by FLEECTOR and the rebranding to Corpay, which signals a merger with other leading corporate FX firms, including Cambridge FX and Afex, makes Corpay a very safe and strong contender in the payments space.

Prior to the acquisition by FLEETCOR, there were more than 4,300 online reviews left by clients under the Global Reach Group brand. There were over 600 reviews of Global Reach Group on TrustPilot (last review Jan 2021) and over 3,600 Global Reach reviews on Feefo. There were also an additional 600 legacy reviews of FC Exchange, which were left prior to their merger with Global Reach in 2018.

On less reputable platforms, there were also more than 100 reviews on ReviewCentre, and two dozen or so reviews on Facebook. Overall, it was a very impressive amount which indicated Global Reach was indeed a large and respected foreign exchange company. In each of the review platforms, whether under Global Reach or under FC Exchange, there was a high level of client satisfaction.

Global Reach’s primary review platform was Feefo, with a score of 4.8 / 5 (based on over 700 reviews in the last 12 months). Global Reach scored 4.3 / 5 on TrustPilot (Excellent) and FC Exchange scored 4.8 / 5 for its reviews received prior to 2018. Across all three platforms, only 2% of online feedback related to complaints, with the majority of users praising a quick and professional service. What’s more, Global Reach’s TrustPilot score improved from 4.0 / 5 in 2020 to 4.3 / 5 in 2021 and 2022 – suggesting the level of service improved over time.

While these numbers were definitely impressive, it is important to remember that some companies, such as Wise, boast over 180,000 reviews just on TrustPilot’s platform. This puts these still very impressive numbers into perspective.

Below were some of the positive themes we picked up on in the Global Reach reviews:

• Friendly and helpful currency dealers, guaranteeing a smooth and trouble-free experience
• Helped save a great deal of money in comparison to banks
• Took the extra mile for its clients

Examples of negative things seen on these reviews were:

• Too much paperwork required for a single transfer
• Not working with USA banks and difficult to repatriate funds to UK from USA (which has now changed considering Corpay is licenced in the US)

Overall, it’s fair to say the positive reviews of Global Reach spoke for themselves. A huge number of customers found the service extremely beneficial and would happily recommend the company to others.

We will have to closely monitor client feedback following the acquisition by FLEETCOR. As of 2023, we can see that Corpay has claimed Global Reach’s Feefo account but only one review has been left under the new brand. All of the other reviews still specifically refer to Global Reach.

Fees: Global Reach didn’t charge any fees when transferring sums over £3,000, and clients referred by MoneyTransferComparison.com were granted a free quote and competitive rates of exchange. Transfer amounts below £3,000 may have been subject to a small charge.

It’s not clear what fees are charged by Corpay.

Exchange Rates: In its reviews, Global Reach was regularly praised by happy clients for its exchange rates, as well as a straightforward process and a friendly, helpful team.

Corpay describe their exchange rates as “competitive”, but they do not disclose their margins so it’s difficult to verify. Corpay are not the only firm to operate like this as it’s a common approach across the industry. Generally, the more you transfer, the better the exchange rate you will achieve.

Limits: Minimum £500 per transfer, or equivalent in other currency.

Offices in >

UK (two locations)

Cyprus

Spain

Netherlands

Canada (8 Branches)

USA

Australia

Singapore

Dedicated Dealer: Dedicated Dealer Team.

Ways to approach:  Phone (domestic and international numbers), Email, Online Form, or Online System.

Translations:  None.

Accepts Clients:  Almost globally since acquisition by FLEETCOR.

Currencies Handled: 145 currencies.

Client Reviews: Very content with the service throughout but majority relate to their times as Global Reach.

Global Reach was a service-oriented firm that received glowing reviews from 99% of its online clients. It prided itself on delivering highly personalised services and offering bespoke solutions to any enquiry. When it acquired EncoreFX assets to establish its presence in Canada, the addition of 8 branches instantly elevated Global Reach to one of the best options for local Canadian clients. Then, following the merger with Cambridge FX and Afex under the ‘Corpay’ brand, it became a highly international brand with almost no limitations on currencies or customer onboarding capabilities across the world.

Vanilla Forward

Window Forward Extra

Participating Forward

Risk Reversal

Market Orders (Stop loss and limit orders available for trades above £10,000)

With some currency transfer providers, such as WorldFirst, closing their options business (given the significant capital reserves one must hold) Global Reach chose to invest more heavily in this area. With a dedicated markets and institutional team, Global Reach was required to be MiFiD 2 compliant following the introduction of this legislation in 2018.

From an institutional perspective, Global Reach had experience working with funds of all sizes, tailoring products to suit clients across a number of asset classes, including; Real Estate, Private Equity, Private Debt and Infrastructure.

Global Reach excelled in this regard, by offering all the normal transfers you would expect from a brokerage, in addition to a number of FX options. Since they dealt mainly with corporate clients, they had a suite of FX options which were unavailable anywhere else like the Window Forward Extra.

Through a partnership with TreasurySpring announced in February 2021, Global Reach Group added even further treasury management functionality to its client base. Global Reach corporate customers were then able to access a range of fixed term funds and generate interest on excess cash balances. Clients were able to invest in GBP, USD, EUR, and ZAR. It was a first in the currency broker space and, for a while, was completely unique to Global Reach (before Wise launched a similar product).

Then, post-acquisition and rebrand to Corpay, the firm added even more functionality:

Corpay’s invoice and payment automation solutions

Corpay’s payables software will connect to your bank account, as well as invoice data from different offices and departments. For companies seeking more robust options for efficient vendor payments, Corpay’s software offers the ability to schedule payments, automate approvals, and track payment statuses in real time.

Many other tools are on offer through Corpay too, such as virtual credit cards, payroll solutions and vendor management.

An app is unavailable at this time. For mobile money transfer apps click here.

The Global Reach website has now rebranded to Corpay.

Global Reach offered a wider variety of forex options than the vast majority of its competitors. It was a strong selling point for currency experts, treasury managers, and traders who required hedging and FX options functionality. Now under the Corpay brand, it is even stronger.