Canonical: https://unicorncurrencies.com/vs/banks/

# Unicorn Currencies vs Traditional Banks (HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds)

## Summary

Banks charge 2–4% FX spread and 2–3 day settlement. Unicorn offers 0.5% spread, 2.3s settlement, and real-time treasury visibility banks do not offer.

## Use Traditional Banks (HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds) If

- You need branch presence or complex lending

- Very large cash management (£50M+) with dedicated RM

- Domestic-only banking needs

## Use Unicorn Currencies If

- $1M+ annual FX volume

- Importer/exporter paying international suppliers

- You want real-time FX exposure on open bills

- You want 0.5% spread vs 2–4% at banks

- You need container tracking and demurrage prevention

- You want 2.3s settlement vs 2–3 days

## What Traditional Banks (HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds) Doesn't Have

- Real-time FX exposure visibility

- Container tracking (not offered)

- 2.3s settlement (banks: 2–3 days)

- 0.5% spread (banks: 2–4%)

- 15-second rate locks

- 0.14s compliance screening (banks: 24–48h)

## What Unicorn Currencies Offers

- 0.5% FX spread vs 2–4% at banks

- 2.3s average settlement

- Real-time FX P/L tracking on bills

- FREE container tracking

- 15-second rate locks

- 0.14s compliance screening

- £5 per payment vs £25–40 at banks

## Bottom Line

On $5M annual FX volume you save $101,250 vs banks. On $10M, $210,000+. Bank of Canada supervised PSP and FINTRAC registered.