Key Currency Money Transfer Review

Company Information and Credibility

Company size:  

KeyCurrency is a relatively new contender in the FX space. The firm was established in 2015, and is privately owned by the company’s directors: Clive Cooke, James Pinkney, Jon Pinkney and Andrew Gibson, all of which have extensive background in foreign exchange. Clive Cooke, the chairman of the firm, was previously the CEO of City Index, one of the better known forex trading firms in the world.

The company has 20 employees at the moment, and boasts “respectable” trading volumes considering they fact they literally just started off. It is nothing comparable to the big players in this field like World First, Currencies Direct, Moneycorp, HiFX, XE, or Transferwise, but if they maintain their current trajectory, they might be able to get there in a matter of years.

What separates Key Currency from its competitors is the fact they boast a straightforward “no minimum” policy, which means no trade is too small for them to handle, and each and every trade inquiry goes directly to the dealer, rather than the on-boarding team (like larger firms do for smaller-value transfers).

Regulated By: 

Financial Conduct Authority (UK)

Awards: 

While most newer company do not boast any awards, Key Currency has achieved one substantial award already :

Conclusion: 

KeyCurrency is all in all a new company with not much of a track record, and insignificant trading volumes in comparison to the largest competitors, but they do show a great potential for growth.

The fact they are completely transparent about their ownership and operations towards both clients and towards MoneyTransferComparison.com’s reviewers, makes us wholeheartedly believe  they are representing something “else” that this industry might have been missing – a new, hungry and motivated, service oriented company with a sincere approach to business, led by people who know the ins and outs of foreign exchange trading.

Client Feedback

Research:

As expected of a new firm, there are relatively few reviews about Key Currency to be found online. In fact, besides 48 client reviews located on TrustPilot, we have not been able to locate any mention of them in forums or blogs. This is a relatively low sample size, and although the reviews appear to be glowing positive, it can’t be compared with companies that have a hundred times more reviews like Transferwise.

Conclusion:

48/48 clients think Key Currency is a great company to work with. These clients were extremely positive about everything dealing with the company. We are looking for additional reviews, though.

Exchange Rate & Fees

Research:

Fees: There are no fees on trades, regardless of the amount of currencies used.

Exchange Rates: CurrencyKey operate in the same fashion as almost any other company in this industry, with the exception of Transferwise and Currencyfair, which means they do not have fixed margins they use. The bigger the trade is, and less exotic are the currencies involved, the better the rate a client would receive.

Larger companies which have more client reviews enable us to understand how they fair against competitor, but with Key Currency it is extremely difficult to say.

Limits: There are absolutely no minimums.

Conclusion:

A no fee policy is what we like to hear. It is difficult to comment on the expected exchange rates at the current moment, but if we were to rely on the few client reviews we have discovered online, they appear to be competitive.

Global Reach & Service

Research:

• Dedicated Dealer: Yes, for all trades
• Offices: UK, Spain, The Netherlands
• Ways to approach: Email or telephone (UK number).
• Translations: None.
• Accepts clients: From UK, EU, Australia.
• Currencies Handled: 39
• Client reviews: Happy about the service.

Conclusion:

KeyCurrency have only one UK office in Cornwall, as well as two small offices in Spain and Holland. There are no website translation or even an international phone number that will indicate they really do appeal to international (non-European) clients.

On the other hand, they appear to be providing excellent service, based on client reviews, and looking at the type of experience their dealers bring. Every single director, as well as the head of trading, and the head corporate FX, appears to have an extensive background in this industry: from a GM of a large import-export company, through wealth management, forex trading, banking and of course – currency payments. We have reasons to believe the type of guidance they will provide will be top-notch.

Additional Functionalities

• Rate alerts.
• Market updates.
• Limit orders.
• Forward contract.
• Regular transfers.

App:

Key Currency does not offer an app for the time being.

Conclusion:

A rather plain vanilla offering on that end. All the basics are there, but nothing out of the ordinary.