Wise is superb!

We have just moved a seven-figure sum from NZD to GBP, in increments of 100k (max our NZ bank would allow per transaction).
Fast, secure, a declared rate of exchange and very low fees.

Prior to this, we purchased a house in the UK whilst living in NZ and completed the purchase via our NZ bank. This decision cost us around $20k more than had we used Wise!

One company I don't see mentioned much on the forums but which I think is great is Atlantic Money. It always gets us more than Wise would. https://atlantic.money/gb/en/

Probably because you can't (yet) open an account if your are resident in the US.

No, but BE isn't just for those in the US! It just surprises me that Atlantic doesn't get mentioned more.

Another vote for Wise.

Been using them for several years, and last year easily moved a seven-figure sum from Australia back to the UK as part of our move back.

You could also open a Revolut account which is a multi currency account.

https://www.revolut.com/

Thanks. I'm liking the sound of Wise.

Nothing wrong with Wise. I have used them and everything went smoothly. Just be aware your money is not protected under any compensation scheme with Wise as it is not a bank so you need to take this into account. I usually move my money in smaller amounts.

I went ahead and opened a premier account with HSBC in the US in preparation for my return next month. I’m hoping that facilitates opening a UK account. They claim preferential transfer rates but we’ll see. I have also used Wise in the past to send money to family etc.

For what it's worth, I know this is an old thread, but I would recommend looking for a company that offers advice and one-on-one support when it comes to large figures. Wise appears to be the go-to these days, but they don't hold your hand through the process.

I agree. It is daunting to transfer large figures but I have done so many with Wise over the years that I have grown confident in their process. In the past few weeks I have transferred hundreds of thousands of USD to GBP as we are buying 2 properties to rent out.

Does Wise offer forward contracts and orders for big amounts, something like a limit order, that hits when a certain rate you have specified is reached? I know small accounts don't offer this, but I was wondering if accounts with bigger amounts do.

I have no idea, I simply use it mostly to transfer money from our US accounts to our UK bank when needed.

The reason I ask is because I have some funds to move from accounts in Ireland and Germany to the UK (at least my wife does). She has a Revolut account, but I have been checking out the rates and services of other providers, and it seems there are various tools and services they make available to time payments. We hoping to 'average down' the payments. Wise is good on rates and it would be ideal if they offered some sophistication on automation and orders.

Open Wise accounts in the relevant currencies and you can then set the rate at which they will automatically convert.