Managing currency risk in business: protect your SME’s profit margins
Currency fluctuations erode your margins and make your budgets unpredictable. With b-sharpe, lock in your exchange rate in advance, see the exact price before every transaction and reduce your foreign exchange costs, without changing the way you operate.
23 currencies
Direct access to the desk
100% Swiss secure service
Currency risk has a
direct impact on your profit margins
Currency fluctuations can erode your profit margins without this cost being immediately apparent. Here are the main pitfalls to avoid in order to keep costs down.
Unpredictable volatility
Currency rates can change without warning: a 2% fluctuation can be enough to wipe out your profit margin. Without effective management, you’ll feel the impact of every fluctuation.
Opaque exchange rate
The difference between the market rate and the rate actually charged is rarely clear. On top of this, there are various hidden bank charges, which make it difficult to assess the total cost.
Poor timing
Conversion often happens based on whatever’s urgent at the time. Without rules or alerts, you end up making changes at the wrong time and pay a heavy price for it.
Manage your currency risk
with b-sharpe
To safeguard your margins and budgets in the long term, your exchange rates must be clear and under control before approval. b‑sharpe helps you reduce your foreign exchange costs and choose the right time to convert.
Competitive rates to help you keep costs down
The b-sharpe rate is displayed before confirmation: you know exactly what you’re paying and can reduce your currency exchange fees by up to 80% compared to a traditional bank.
A fixed rate, to safeguard your profit margin
You monitor the market, set a rate in advance and lock it in for up to 48 hours to protect your conversions from fluctuations whilst you finalise your internal approvals.
Direct access to our experts, so you can take action at the right time
Our experts will help you choose the right time to make the switch and define your strategy. Based in Switzerland and always on hand, they are quick and easy to reach.
Simple and secure installation
You can manage your transactions independently via our platform or receive telephone support, without the need for technical integration. Your transfers are processed in Switzerland within a regulated, encrypted and fast environment (on average, 24 to 48 hours depending on the currency).
Manage your currency risk
in 4 steps
Create your business account
You can sign up online in just a few minutes. Your account will be activated within 24 hours, with no sign-up fees or commitment required.
Please provide your bank details
In your b-sharpe account, you can enter the amount, currency and bank details for your accounts in the various currencies.
Convert your currencies
Select the currencies and enter the amount: the b-sharpe exchange rate is displayed in real time before confirmation. You can lock in the exchange rate before sending the funds.
Transfer your funds to our accounts
You transfer the funds to b-sharpe. Once we receive them, we transfer the purchased currency to the recipient’s account, usually within one working day. Your transactions are processed via leading Swiss banks.
Create your business account
You can sign up online in just a few minutes. Your account will be activated within 24 hours, with no sign-up fees or commitment required.
Please provide your bank details
In your b-sharpe account, you can enter the amount, currency and bank details for your accounts in the various currencies.
Convert your currencies
Select the currencies and enter the amount: the b-sharpe exchange rate is displayed in real time before confirmation. You can lock in the exchange rate before sending the funds.
Transfer your funds to our accounts
You transfer the funds to b-sharpe. Once we receive them, we transfer the purchased currency to the recipient’s account, usually within one working day. Your transactions are processed via leading Swiss banks.
A b-sharpe
adviser at your side
Adrien supports businesses and SMEs in managing their multi-currency cash flows. He analyses your needs and recommends tailored solutions (spot foreign exchange, forward foreign exchange contracts, currency risk hedging), acting as your dedicated point of contact throughout the process.
Our customers say it
better than we do
“We chose b-sharpe because of their competitive exchange rates and the ease of use of their platform.”
Andreas M, CIO based in Uster
Hedge your currency
risk across 23 currencies
Meet most of your needs in Europe, North America, Asia and beyond.
Swiss security for
your foreign exchange risk management
A regulated intermediary in Switzerland
b-sharpe is a Swiss financial intermediary affiliated with SO-FIT, a Swiss self-regulatory organisation.
You are operating in an environment that complies with Swiss standards.
Enhanced protection for funds
Insurance cover of CHF 5 million provides additional protection for your funds against the risks of fraud, hacking or embezzlement.
Over 20 years’ experience in foreign exchange
Founded in 2006 by Jean-Marc Sabet following a career at UBS, HSBC and Synthesis Bank, b-sharpe has served over 40,000 clients. Trustpilot rating: 4.8/5.
A team of experts, highly regarded by our clients
Our experts will guide you through getting to grips with the platform, as well as helping you navigate the challenges and complexities of currency exchange.
Frequently
asked questions about currency risk management
Corporate foreign exchange risk management involves limiting the impact of currency fluctuations on profitability. When a company invoices or makes payments in a foreign currency, a change in exchange rates can reduce its profit margin if it is not anticipated or hedged.
Several approaches are possible depending on your exposure. Lock in a rate in real time to secure a one-off conversion (the rate is guaranteed for 48 hours with b-sharpe). Set up rate alerts to convert at the most favourable time. Set up a forward exchange contract to fix a rate in advance for a defined maturity and protect your margins over time. At b-sharpe, all three options are available, with a team of FX experts based in Geneva to help you choose the strategy best suited to your cash flows.
Spot exchange involves converting currencies immediately, at the market rate at the time of the transaction. A forward exchange allows you to fix a rate today for a conversion that will take place on a defined future date. The former is suited to immediate needs, the latter to hedging an identified cash flow (supplier payment, property deposit, dividends) for which you wish to secure the amount in advance, regardless of market movements.
Via the platform or by contacting our team of FX experts, you can view the rate in real time and lock it in with a single click. The rate is then guaranteed for 48 hours, giving you time to transfer your funds from your usual bank. Once the funds are received, the conversion is carried out at the locked-in rate, regardless of how the market moves in the meantime.
Any business that invoices, pays or receives payments in foreign currencies is exposed to currency risk. In practice, this applies to SMEs that import or export, businesses that pay salaries or suppliers in foreign currencies, groups with international subsidiaries, or companies that receive payments from foreign customers. As soon as a rate fluctuation could impact a margin or budget, a hedging strategy becomes relevant.
For a spot exchange transaction, the costs are limited to transaction fees based on the interbank rate, starting from 0.12%. The amount displayed upon confirmation is exactly the amount that will be credited. For a forward exchange contract, the pricing terms are agreed with our team of FX experts before any commitment is made. Contact them for an analysis of your exposure.
b-sharpe offers currency hedging across more than 23 currencies, covering most needs in Europe, North America and Asia: CHF, EUR, USD, GBP, AED, JPY, CAD, MAD and many others. Find the full list at b-sharpe.com/currency-converter/. For forward exchange contracts, the available currencies are determined with our FX desk based on your actual exposure.