Unicorn Currencies vs Traditional Banks
(HSBC, Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds)
Why businesses moving $1M+ annually in FX are switching from banks to save 80%+ on costs.
Real-time treasury visibility • Same-Day settlement • FREE container tracking
Stop subsidising your bank's FX desk. Keep the margin in your business.
The Bottom Line for $1M+ FX Businesses
On $5M annual FX volume, you save $101,250 vs banks. On $10M, you save $210,000+.
Traditional Banks (HSBC, Barclays, NatWest)
- 2-4% FX spread on every transaction
- £25-40 per international payment
- 2-3 days for settlements
- No real-time FX exposure visibility
- No container tracking (not offered)
- 24-48h manual compliance screening
- Rates expire instantly (no locks)
- Relationship manager for £10M+ only
Example: $500k Transaction
Cost: £12,540 (2.5% spread + £40 fee)
Unicorn Currencies ($1M+ Only)
- 0.5% FX spread (80%+ cheaper)
- £5 per international payment
- Same-Day settlement
- Real-time P/L tracking on bills
- FREE container tracking (saves £5k-10k/year)
- 0.14s automated compliance screening
- 15-second rate locks
- Direct CFO access to our team
Example: $500k Transaction
Cost: £2,505 (0.5% spread + £5 fee)
You save: £10,035 per transaction
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Traditional Banks | Unicorn Currencies |
|---|---|---|
| FX Spread | 2-4% | 0.5% (80%+ cheaper) |
| Payment Fee | £25-40 | £5 (80-88% cheaper) |
| Settlement Speed | 2-3 days | Same-Day |
| Real-Time FX Exposure | Not available | Live P/L on bills |
| Container Tracking | Not offered | FREE (saves £5k-10k/year) |
| FX Rate Locks | Instant expiry | 15-second lock window |
| Compliance Screening | 24-48 hours (manual) | 0.14 seconds (automated) |
| Multi-Currency Wallets | Limited (2-3 currencies) | 35+ currencies |
| Invoicing Platform | Not available | Built-in with auto banking details |
| API Access | Enterprise only (expensive) | Included for all customers |
| Dedicated Support | Phone menus, long wait times | Direct email & chat support |
| Regulation | Banking license | FINTRAC registered · Bank of Canada RPAA registered |
Why Import/Export Businesses Switch From Banks
Real-Time FX Exposure Visibility
Banks show you FX rates. We show you what those rates mean for YOUR business. Upload supplier bills, see live P/L in red/green. Know exactly what waiting costs you.
Banks don't have this. It's our unique feature.
80%+ Lower Costs
0.5% FX spread vs 2-4% at banks. £5 payment fee vs £25-40. On £100k monthly: save £2,570/month = £30,840 annually. On £1M monthly: save £25,700/month = £308k annually.
Most customers save 5-6 figures annually.
FREE Container Tracking
Banks don't offer logistics tracking. We include it FREE. Track all shipments, get 48-72h demurrage alerts, save £5k-10k annually avoiding penalties.
Logistics platforms charge £2k-5k for this.
10-50x Faster Settlements
Wallet-to-wallet within our network: 2.3 seconds average. Banks: 2-3 days. Pay suppliers instantly, improve cash flow, strengthen relationships.
Speed matters in global trade.
Why We're Not Like Banks—Or Consumer Apps
Banks serve everyone. We exclusively serve importers/exporters with $1M+ annual FX volume. Here's what that means for you:
Specialist vs Generalist
Banks handle mortgages, credit cards, consumer accounts, and corporate FX as an afterthought. We ONLY do treasury for high-volume trade businesses. Your CFO gets specialist expertise, not generic relationship managers juggling 200 products.
Why it matters: Features built for YOUR operations, not retail banking priorities.
Built for Speed, Not Bureaucracy
Banks have 2-3 day settlement because they're running on 1970s SWIFT infrastructure. We built modern wallet-to-wallet rails: same-day settlement. No “processing”, no “batch windows”, no excuses. Your supplier gets paid instantly.
Why it matters: Zero container delays, stronger supplier relationships, better cash flow.
Real-Time Visibility Banks Don't Offer
Banks show you last month's statements. We show you live FX P/L across every supplier bill right now. Upload a $500k invoice PDF, watch real-time rate movement, lock when you see a good rate. Banks cannot do this. They do not have the technology.
Why it matters: Proactive FX management vs reactive “pay whatever rate it is today.”
Not Right for You?
If you are doing under $1M annual FX or need retail banking services (mortgages, loans, business accounts), stick with banks. We are specialists in high-volume FX operations. That is ALL we do. For everything else, banks are better.
Looking for consumer-friendly apps? Try Wise or Revolut. Under $1M FX volume? Wise Business is excellent. We're niche specialists for $1M+ importers/exporters only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I save compared to traditional banks?
Traditional banks typically charge 2-4% FX spread on international transactions. Unicorn Currencies charges just 0.5%. On £100,000 in transactions, this means you save between £1,500 and £3,500. For businesses with $1M+ annual FX volume, annual savings typically range from $100,000 to $500,000.
Are you as secure as a bank?
Yes. Unicorn Currencies is fully regulated. FINTRAC registered · Bank of Canada RPAA registered. All client funds are safeguarded in segregated accounts, providing the same level of protection you would expect from a traditional bank.
How fast are your payments compared to banks?
Wallet-to-wallet transfers within the Unicorn Currencies platform settle in just 2.3 seconds on average. Traditional banks typically take 2-5 business days for international payments. This speed advantage helps businesses maintain better cash flow and strengthen supplier relationships.
Do you offer the same currencies as banks?
We support 20+ currencies with local account details available for major currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and more. This means you can receive and hold funds like a local in multiple countries, often with more flexibility than traditional banks offer to mid-market businesses.
Can I get dedicated support for my business?
Yes. Enterprise clients receive access to our dedicated treasury desk with direct email and chat support. Unlike banks where you navigate phone menus and long wait times, our specialists understand import/export operations and can provide personalized assistance for complex FX requirements.
What Only Unicorn Offers
- ✓Bank of Canada–supervised PSP with FINTRAC registration (MSB: C100000159) — not just a fintech licence
- ✓2.3-second settlement within our network — not "same day" or "next day"
- ✓FREE real-time container tracking with demurrage alerts — no other FX provider includes logistics visibility
- ✓Real-time FX P&L on every supplier bill — treasury-grade exposure tracking, not just a rate feed
- ✓Built exclusively for $1M+ annual FX — we don't dilute our platform for retail or small business
Verify our regulatory status: How We're Regulated. Not at $1M+ yet? Why $1M+ — and who to use instead.
See Unicorn in Action
Ready to Save $100k-$500k Annually?
For importers/exporters with $1M+ annual FX volume. Local account with a local US bank account, same-day settlement in 35+ currencies.
FINTRAC registered · Bank of Canada RPAA registered.
Minimum: $1M annual FX volume • 3-week deployment • No long-term contracts