World First by Grant Coleman

Foreign exchange and risk management

Welcome to the World First Corporate Team

Today's global market place requires companies to send and receive international payments. Every day, thousands of companies around the globe rely on World First to process their international payments quickly and efficiently while substantially reducing their associated costs. World First is dedicated to making the process easier, quicker and cheaper for you.

Keeping it simple

Simplify your process and save money with our

World First transacts billions of pounds every year for its clients and

bespoke foreign exchange and international

this volume of foreign exchange enables us to access commercial

payments service

interbank exchange rates. We typically quote our clients exchange

World First understands that companies have varying needs with

rates closer to the interbank markets than the banks. As a result,

respect to their international transactions. We aim to quickly

our clients pay fewer pounds for the same quantity of euros,

understand the business and tailor our services accordingly. Not only

dollars or any other foreign currency, thus making their international

do we offer better exchange rates and lower fixed costs than your

payments significantly cheaper.

bank but we also offer:

1. A user-friendly online trading system 2. A free 'market watch' service 3. Alternative hedging strategies to a forward contract

worldfirst.com

World First is a leading provider of international business-to-business payment solutions and foreign exchange transactions. As an independent specialist it is our mission to protect our clients from volatility in currency markets, providing the best exchange rates available and a service that maintains the highest levels of professionalism, transparency and integrity.

Foreign exchange and risk management

Transaction and payment process

You can process your transaction through World First by telephone, online or via fax.

Telephone

Settlement

Contact the corporate trading desk by telephone and request an

You can settle your contract by same-day bank transfer (one day)

exchange rate for the currency pair, amount and value date of your

or electronic banking (up to three days). World First holds dedicated

required purchase or sale. If you wish to transact, the exchange

client accounts with banks in the UK, Europe, America, Australia

rate is fixed and a contract is entered into. You will be emailed or

and New Zealand to make it easier for clients to send funds to us.

faxed a trade confirmation confirming your transaction within minutes. Prior to the settlement date you will provide us with the

Onward payment

beneficiary's payment details either by fax, email or secure web link.

On the pre-agreed settlement date, World First will instruct your onward payment as per your instructions. All payments are sent by

Online

priority SWIFT at no extra cost. You will receive a PDF confirmation

of your payment by email, by close of business on the settlement date.

for multiple users with different privileges. The system enables you to store, track and manage all aspects of your international transactions whilst maintaining full control of your payments. You can choose the beneficiaries to be paid, the currencies, amounts and dates you require. You can see live rates and book deals online.

Fax A bespoke template will be designed for your faxed transactions. On receipt of your fax a rate will be booked and confirmed back to you via fax.

worldfirst.com

Foreign exchange and risk management

World First foreign exchange products

World First offers a range of foreign exchange products to cater for your requirements:

Spot contracts

Take profit order

This is one of the most frequently used contracts, allowing you to

You can set a 'best case' rate at which you want to buy the

purchase currency at the current exchange rate. Settlement takes

currency. If the currency moves in your favour and hits your best

place two business days after the spot contract has been entered

case rate, World First will automatically purchase the currency for

into. Once your funds have cleared, World First transfers the

you at that rate.

pre-agreed currency amount to your requested beneficiary bank account. This type of contract is ideal if you simply wish to make

Market watch service

a payment within the next few days.

We can act as your 'eyes and ears' on the exchange rate markets throughout the day. You can specify exchange rate levels at which

Forward contracts

you would like to be contacted enabling you to make timely

A forward contract fixes the exchange rate today for buying or

currency purchases during the day.

selling a pre-agreed amount of currency, on a pre-agreed date in the future.

Telephone dealing You will have a direct line to your designated trader and payments

Flexible forward contracts

specialist within our operations department.

This works in exactly the same way as a forward contract except that you can transact earlier or later than the pre-agreed settlement

Online trading and payment

date, should you need to.

World First's online trading system offers the ability to book rates, choose beneficiaries and view past payments.

Currency options World First offers currency options as hedging tools which can be

Same-day payments

used as an alternative to the forward contract. There are lots of

With certain currency pairs, World First can process foreign

different strategies available, a selection of which are listed on

currency transactions and settle them on the same day. Once the

page 6.

funds have cleared, World First will make a same-day payment into your requested bank account.

Stop loss order You can set a 'worst case' rate at which you want to buy the currency. If the currency moves against you and hits your 'stop loss' exchange rate, World First will automatically purchase the currency for you at that rate.

worldfirst.com

Foreign exchange and risk management

Currency options â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alternative hedging strategies

Hedging strategies - how do they work?

What products are available?

There are a number of different strategies but generally they work

Although there are many currency option strategies, we have

in one of two ways:

chosen four of the most widely used to describe here:

1. They enable you to guarantee a worst case rate but benefit to

1. the protection option

some extent if the rate improves. This worst case rate will always be

2. the risk reversal

inferior to the actual forward contract rate. The difference between

3. the participating forward

these two rates effectively 'pays' for you to be able to benefit from a

4. the convertible forward

favourable move in the rate, which can be unlimited. These are illustrated on the next three pages with examples 2. They provide protection by guaranteeing a worst case rate which can be higher or lower than the forward contract rate for which you pay an upfront cost (premium). This is similar to an insurance policy.

worldfirst.com

and scenarios.

Foreign exchange and risk management

A protection option for a British company exporting to America Anexport Ltd is due to receive US$1m in six months from a sale to a customer in America. The protection option provides them with a guaranteed worst case rate to convert the US dollars to sterling when they are paid in six months. When Anexport Ltd agreed the sale the exchange rate was 1.45 and the six month forward rate was 1.445. Anexport's finance director felt that the rate might fall further but didn't want it to go back over 1.45 as this would have reduced their profit margin significantly. They bought a protection option at 1.45 for an upfront cost of 2.5% of the notional amount (i.e. US$25,000).

Rate at expiry

Anexport Ltd's rate

1.30

1.35

1.40

1.45

1.50

1.45

1.55

1.45

1.60

1.45

There are two possible outcomes: 1. The exchange rate rises and after six months is trading at 1.55. Anexport Ltd will exercise their protection option to sell US dollars and buy sterling at a rate of 1.45. 2. The exchange rate falls and after six months is trading at 1.40. Anexport Ltd will choose not to exercise their protection option at 1.45 and instead sell US dollars for sterling at the prevailing spot rate. The downside of this option is that if the rate was over 1.4450 at the time of settlement, they have paid a premium unnecessarily. The table opposite illustrates the possible different outcomes for this option.

A risk reversal option for a British company exporting to America Let us use the previous example where Anexport Ltd is due to receive US$1m in six months from a sale to a customer in America. The finance director for Anexport Ltd does want an option that offers some upside potential but felt that a 2.5% premium for a protection option was more than the company wanted to pay. To reduce the premium, Anexport Ltd were happy to cap their upside potential and set a best case rate of 1.35 and keep their worst case rate of 1.45. This reduced the premium paid to 1%.The six month forward rate for comparison was 1.4450.

Rate at expiry

Anexport Ltd's rate

1.30

1.35

1.40

1.45

1.50

1.45

1.55

1.45

1.60

1.45

worldfirst.com

There are three possible outcomes: 1. The exchange rate rises and after six months is trading at 1.55. Anexport Ltd will have the right to sell US dollars and buy sterling at their worst case rate of 1.45. 2. The exchange rate falls and after six months is trading at 1.30. Anexport Ltd will be obliged to sell US dollars for sterling at their best case rate of 1.35. 3. The exchange rate falls between 1.45 (worst case rate) and 1.35 (best case rate). Anexport Ltd has the right to sell US dollars for sterling at the prevailing spot rate. The downside of this option is that if the rate was over 1.4450 at the time of settlement, they have paid a premium unnecessarily. The table opposite illustrates the possible different outcomes for this option.

Foreign exchange and risk management

Zero premium structures - A participating forward for a British company importing from Europe Animport Ltd imports from France and is due to pay €1m to a

These are two possible outcomes:

supplier in six months' time. The participating forward provides them with a worst case rate to purchase the euros when they pay

1. The exchange rate falls and after six months is trading at 1.05.

the supplier. In addition, it also allows them to 'participate' in any

Animport Ltd will purchase all €1m at a rate of 1.12.

favourable exchange rate move for 50% of the amount i.e. €500,000. When Animport Ltd agreed the purchase, the exchange

2. The exchange rate rises and after six months is trading at 1.26.

rate was 1.15 and the six month forward contract rate was 1.155.

Animport Ltd are obliged to buy €500,000 at their worst case rate

The company's owner was very worried about the falling exchange

of 1.12 but can buy the other €500,000 at the prevailing spot rate

rate and didn't want to convert at anything worse than 1.12.

of 1.26, giving them an average rate for the whole €1m of 1.19.

However, he was optimistic that it might improve so didn't want to be locked in with a forward contract at 1.155. He chose a

The benefit of this option is that if the exchange rate rises, the

participating forward with a worst case rate set at 1.12.

average rate can be better than the forward rate. Like a forward contract, there is no premium to pay when entering into a

Rate at expiry

Animport Ltd’s rate

1.00

1.12

1.05

1.12

1.10

1.12

1.15

1.135

1.20

1.16

1.25

1.185

1.30

1.21

participating forward. The downside is that if the rate falls, Animport Ltd would have been better off booking a forward contract.

worldfirst.com

The table opposite illustrates the possible different outcomes for this option.

Foreign exchange and risk management

Zero premium structures - A convertible forward for a British company importing from Europe Let us use our previous example where Animport Ltd imports

There are three possible outcomes:

from France and is due to pay €1m to a supplier in six months' time. The convertible forward provides them with a worst case rate

1. The exchange rate falls and after six months is trading at 1.05.

to purchase euros when they pay the supplier. In addition it allows

Animport Ltd will purchase all €1m at a rate of 1.13.

them to participate in any favourable exchange rate move for 100% of the amount up to a 'cap' rate. If the rate reaches the

2. At expiry, the exchange rate has risen to 1.23 and at no time

'cap' rate they are obliged to buy at the worst case rate.

traded at or above 1.27 throughout the term of the contract. Animport Ltd can buy all €1m at a rate of 1.23 obtaining the full

When they agreed the purchase the exchange rate was 1.15 and

benefit of the rise in the exchange rate.

the six month forward rate was 1.155. The company's owner was very worried about the falling exchange rate and didn't want to

3. The exchange rate touches 1.27 at some point during the

convert at anything worse than 1.13. However, he was optimistic

contract term. Animport Ltd is obliged to buy €1m at the worst

that it might improve so didn't want to be locked in with a

case rate of 1.13.

forward contract at 1.155. He chose a convertible forward with a worst case rate set at 1.13 and a 'cap' of 1.27.

The benefit of this option is that the client has a worst case rate marginally lower than the forward rate but if the exchange rate rises can benefit up to the 'cap' rate for 100% of the amount. However, if the 'cap' rate is touched, the client is fixed in to the worst case rate (which is worse than the forward rate). In this instance, the client would have been better off either entering into a forward contract or leaving the exposure un-hedged.

worldfirst.com

Foreign exchange and risk management

About World First

World First offers the ability to achieve significantly better exchange

Security

rates without needing to change banking arrangements. With a

Security is always of the highest importance when transferring

client base of over 20,000 private clients and over 4,000 companies

large sums of money. World First has been profitable every year

worldwide, we have extensive experience of the corporate market

since inception, has no debt and has significant reserves. We

ranging from sole traders up to quoted public companies.

produce full accounts which are audited each year. We are always happy to supply our accounts to prospective customers.

The group has grown strongly and forecasts to transact around $2.5 billion in 2009.

Any payments you make go straight to our client accounts held at one of our banking partners which include HSBC, Barclays and

The board of World First UK Ltd:

Citigroup. These accounts are only used to hold client funds and are totally independent of World First's business accounts. World

Jonathan Quin

First maintains substantial collateral - currently around $6 million -

Jonathan joined Citibank as a trader before moving

with our banking partners which they have a lien over for the

to their UK, and latterly global corporate foreign

security of our transactions.

exchange sales desk. He then looked after the European sales of Citibank's online trading tools

World First has an A1 credit rating from Dun & Bradstreet.

before moving to be head of business development for the financial markets e-commerce's team of one of the UK's largest banks.

World First UK Ltd is registered as a Limited Company in England and Wales, Company No: 05022388. World First UK Ltd is regulated

Nick Robinson Nick joined Citibank on the UK corporate desk and

by HM Revenue & Customs as a Money Service Business (No. 12164508).

looked after a large client group before helping establish BFinance in the UK. He then joined Credit

World First Markets Ltd is authorised and regulated by the financial

Agricole Indosuez to launch and develop their UK

services authority to provide advice on and execute trades in

corporate foreign exchange and interest rate business.

derivatives. World First Markets Limited's FSA Firm Reference Number is 477561.

Senior adviser Sir David Clementi David joined World First in 2006. He is currently chairman of Kings Cross Central and a director of Rio Tinto plc. He was previously chairman of Prudential plc and prior to that Deputy Governor of the Bank of England from 1997 to 2002. He has also been chief executive of Kleinwort Benson. He is a graduate of Oxford University and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

worldfirst.com

Foreign exchange and risk management

If you have any further questions or would like to discuss your requirements, please contact us:

Call:

0800 030 5025 (UK) +44 (0)20 7801 9050 (Int'l)

Email: corporate@worldfirst.com Visit: worldfirst.com

To register as a client with World First, please read, sign and return the attached Terms and Conditions and compliance form. World First also welcomes visitors to its offices - please contact us to arrange an appointment.

We look forward to welcoming you as a client.

UK head office World First UK Ltd Regent House 16-18 Lombard Road London SW11 3RB

Regulatory disclosure World First UK Limited is registered in England and Wales as a Limited Company: No 05022388. World First Markets Limited is registered in England and Wales as a Limited Company: No 06382377. The registered office for both is Regent House, 16-18 Lombard Road, London, SW11 3RB. World First UK Limited is regulated by HM Revenue & Customs: MSB Reg No: 12164508. World First Markets Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). FSA Firm Reference Number: 477561. This financial promotion is issued in the United Kingdom by World First Markets Limited. World First Markets Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to provide advice on and execute trades in derivatives. Please note that other activities that may be referred to in this material, such as the execution of spot foreign exchange trades, do not fall under the remit of the FSA. Investing in any of the hedging strategies contained in this material involves certain risks, for example that the exchange rate at expiry of the contract is less favourable than if you had entered into a forward contract or entered into a hedging strategy at all. Please ensure that you fully understand these risks before investing. If you are in any doubt as to the nature of these risks, please speak with your financial adviser or an adviser at World First Markets Limited. There are a number of charges that we will levy if you enter into a hedging strategy. The nature of these charges depends upon the specific strategy, but may include an upfront premium and / or a share of any increase in the spot exchange rate upon expiry of the contract. We recommend that you read carefully the details of these charges which are set out alongside the description of each strategy. If you require further details regarding these charges, please speak with an adviser at World First Markets Limited. For your protection, telephone calls are usually recorded.

worldfirst.com

0800 030 5025 (UK) +44 (0)20 7801 9050 (Int'l) corporate@worldfirst.com worldfirst.com