Why are your international transfer fees so high and what can you do about it?
If you are an SME that regularly pays overseas businesses or receives revenue from international customers, you may be paying more than you realise in international payment fees in Singapore.
The spread between the rate your bank quotes and the real mid-market rate, plus telegraphic transfer (TT) fees on every transfer, adds up fast. Some banks also add on cable charges, commission and agent fees. The good news is that small changes to how you manage FX and cross-border payments can be a game-changer.
Here are three things you can do to reduce overseas transfer fees:
- Learn how to avoid hidden FX spread on business payments
Most banks advertise competitive FX rates. However, the gap between the displayed rate and the true mid-market rate is often where costs add up.
For example, on a $50,000 payment, a 1% FX spread can quietly cost you $500. Over time, these costs accumulate and start to impact your margins. Fortunately, this is easy to address. You can use a business account that shows you the real rate before you confirm.Tip: Look for transparent FX pricing so you know the exact rate before you hit send. No surprises, no markups buried in the small print. That is how you avoid FX spread on business payments.
- Find a suitable payment gateway in Singapore for your SME
For SMEs managing cross-border payments, constantly converting between currencies can create unnecessary fees. A multi-currency business account lets you hold foreign funds and pay your business partners directly in their local currency. Whether you are looking for the best payment gateway in Singapore to pay overseas contractors in Asia, Europe, or across the world, holding the right currency can help you pay less per transaction.
Tip: Receive USD from overseas buyers, hold it, and pay your USD or CNH partners from the same balance. Convert only when the rate works in your favour, not every time a payment goes out.
- Use same-day international bank transfers from Singapore
Standard international wire transfers can take several days depending on the destination banks and payment methods. That is working capital sitting idle, and it can strain business relationships when payments are late. Options for same-day international bank transfers are now available for Singapore businesses in selected corridors, and they may not necessarily cost more than a standard transfer.
Tip: With payment rails such as ANEXT Flash, international wire transfers within one working day are available to select currency and jurisdiction pairing, fees are waived for a limited period. Your vendors get paid when they need to be, not when the banking system gets around to it.
Why SMEs choose ANEXT for cross-border payments
Here are some key areas you can look into when setting up a digital-first business.
- Multi-currency account, one login
Receive payments from overseas buyers and pay global partners without juggling between banks or platforms.
- Transparent exchange rates
See your rate upfront before you send, whether you are paying in SGD, USD, or the recipient’s local currency.
- Faster yet secure international transfers
Send USD and EUR to select jurisdictions in just 1 working day with zero telegraphic transfer fees, with funds routed through secure local networks. For all other global destinations, standard SWIFT remains your reliable default.
Ready to take control of your cross-border payments?
Expanding globally should not mean losing your margins to hidden banking costs, especially since international payment fees in Singapore can eat into your profits.
When you choose a platform with transparent FX pricing for a same-day international bank transfer, you get faster transactions, lower fees, and greater visibility over what you are paying. At ANEXT Bank, we provide you with the multi-currency account benefits you need to help reduce overseas transfer fees and trade globally without the banking overhead.
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