Manage foreign exchange risks

iBanFirst works with businesses to analyse their foreign currency flows and define a bespoke FX risk management strategy, based on payment cycles, currencies involved, and risk tolerance.

Depending on their needs, companies can choose from a range of forward payment contracts to secure an exchange rate for future payments, while managing currency conversions and international payments directly from the platform. Throughout the process, clients benefit from guidance from iBanFirst specialists to help structure the most appropriate approach.

iBanFirst offers forward payment contracts for a wide range of currency pairs commonly used in international business.

Availability may depend on the currency pair involved and the type of forward payment contract selected (fixed, flexible, or dynamic). Your iBanFirst contact can confirm which currency pairs are currently available and help determine the most suitable solution based on your payment needs.

iBanFirst S.A. is a payment institution authorised and regulated by the National Bank of Belgium under company number 0849.872.824.

As a regulated payment institution, iBanFirst must comply with strict regulatory requirements relating to security, safeguarding of client funds, and anti-money laundering controls.

The foreign exchange services offered by iBanFirst are limited to spot FX transactions and deliverable forward payment contracts intended to cover an underlying payment for identifiable goods or services. iBanFirst does not offer FX options or other financial instruments for investment or speculative purposes.

With iBanFirst, you don’t have to deal with a chatbot or join a seemingly never-ending support ticket queue to solve a problem. Instead, you have a dedicated account manager to help you make the most of our tools, establish an FX strategy that works for your business and support you with any questions you may have.

A forward payment contract allows you to lock in today's exchange rate for a future transaction as a way to minimise currency risk.

With iBanFirst, you have three types of forward payment contracts to choose from:

• Fixed forward payment contracts lock in an exchange rate for a specific future date, with the full amount exchanged exactly on that date — no earlier, no later.
• Flexible forward payment contracts offer a guaranteed exchange rate that can be used over a predefined period rather than on a single date. The conditions (amount, rate, and timeframe) are set when the contract is established, but you can settle payments at any point within that window.
• Dynamic forward payment contracts offer a guaranteed floor rate while also letting you benefit from favourable market movements during the contract period.

With iBanFirst, the minimum contract size for fixed forward payment contracts is €5,000.

The minimum contract size for flexible forward payment contracts is €15,000.

Dynamic forward payment contracts work a little differently, so it's best to speak to your Account Manager to understand your specific risk management needs.

All three forward payment contracts let you lock in a guaranteed exchange rate for a future payment, with a maximum maturity of 24 months. The difference is in how and when you can use them:

With fixed forward payment contracts, you can lock in an exchange rate for a specific future date, with the full amount exchanged exactly on that date — no earlier, no later. They work best when you have precise payment timing and amounts, as they offer the most straightforward protection against currency fluctuations.

Flexible forward payment contracts offer a guaranteed exchange rate that can be used over a predefined period rather than on a single date. The conditions (amount, rate, and timeframe) are set when the contract is established, but you can settle payments at any point within that window. They're ideal when you need to make multiple payments over time or when your payment schedule isn't fully defined, giving you timing flexibility while maintaining rate protection.

Dynamic forward payment contracts offer a guaranteed floor rate while also letting you benefit from favourable market movements during the contract period. They're best suited for situations where you want both protection against negative currency movements and the opportunity to benefit from favourable market shifts.