About the Author

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Mike Smith

Mike Smith is Head of IT and Digital Development at Key Currency.

His online articles are about making finance accessible with easy-to-understand information.

Mike has been working in the UK financial services sector for over 17 years. His experience spans foreign exchange, wealth management and debt advisory.

You can view Mike’s LinkedIn profile here.

Outside of work, Mike is a crazy about cycling. In 2012, he spent 12 days cycling from John o’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for cystic fibrosis.

Get in touch with me.

Posts by Author

Author, Mike Smith Sending money from Greece to the UK is a frequent requirement, particularly for the vibrant British expat community enjoying Greece’s sunny climate.  Since 2019, around 17,000 British citizens have made Greece their home, and of course, many people need to make transfers back to the UK for various… Read More

Author, Mike Smith If you’re looking to send money from Belgium to the United Kingdom but aren’t sure where to start?  In this article, we’ll look at the best ways you can make a money transfer from Belgium, what you can expect to pay, how long it will take to arrive… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Understanding the terminology of international money transfers can often feel like trying to understand a foreign language.  Two of the most important banking terms, BIC and SWIFT codes are crucial in ensuring your money is transferred securely and accurately when making an international transfer. In this article, we… Read More

Author, Mike Smith As money transfer specialists, we have helped thousands of customers transfer money to and from the USA.  One big question people have about US international transfers is routing numbers.  Specifically, what they are, why they’re needed, and how to find their own. In this article, we’ll go through everything… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Be it a chateau in rural France, a loft apartment in New York, or a seafront villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the prospect of owning a home abroad is one full of high hopes and anticipation! With so many things to consider, people often leave the transfer of… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Exploring the transfer services available is essential if you want to transfer money from Germany to the USA. Depending on your international money transfer needs, some services may be more favourable for you than others. In this article, we’ll look at the steps taken to make a money… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Transferring Euros to Dollars is a simple and easy process once you have all the information you need!  In this article, I’ll go through the step-by-step process of transferring Euros to Dollars, how long it will take, the options available, and how to get the most value for… Read More

Author, Mike Smith If you are a homeowner or living or working in Spain, you will likely need to send funds from your Spanish bank to international recipients for various reasons.  For anyone not used to playing the currency game, diving into the world of exchange rates from Spanish banks can… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Buying a property in Spain, whether it is a holiday hideaway, relocating, or a real estate investment, is an exciting prospect. Being aware of the costs involved before you sign on the dotted line for the place of your dreams will make sure that your Spanish property purchase… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Are you looking to relocate and enjoy a life in the sun in Spain? Perhaps you need a Spanish bank account for other reasons. Whatever the circumstances, opening a bank account in Spain can be straightforward, provided you have all the necessary information to hand. This article will… Read More

Author, Mike Smith The decision to relocate abroad, whilst exciting, comes with many things to consider. One crucial aspect often gets overlooked – transferring your money. Clever financial management is essential to ensure a smooth transition to your new life abroad, whether moving as a family, an individual, or for work… Read More

Author, Mike Smith When you need foreign currency, the exchange rate is one of the most crucial factors to bear in mind. This is equally important whether you’re planning a holiday, investing in property abroad, or sending funds to family overseas. Securing a favourable exchange rate will significantly impact how you… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Sending an international wire transfer is not something many people are familiar with. If you have ever needed to transfer money internationally before you may well have heard the term, but not know what it entails. Providing you have the correct information and professional guidance, a wire transfer… Read More

Author, Mike Smith When transferring money, always remember, that safety first! Your transfer of funds is of the utmost importance, and there are several factors to consider to ensure any international transaction is done most securely. Whether it is an international or domestic transfer, be sure you have chosen the very… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Need to receive money from abroad? If you are not familiar with receiving money via an international transaction, it may seem a little daunting, however, it is very straightforward. This article covers all the points you must consider to make a fast and fuss-free transfer to your UK… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Need to send money from your account in the UK to a recipient abroad? If so, whilst the process can be very simple and quick to carry out, there are several important factors to take into consideration. Within this article, we will look at the most important points… Read More

Author, Mike Smith If you need to make an international money transfer from Spain to the USA, it’s essential that you thoroughly explore your options. This article offers an in-depth insight as to what information is required and the process involved when sending money from Spain to the USA and also… Read More

Author, Mike Smith If you are sending money to a Barclays account or are an existing customer, you may well have questions about making an international transfer using a Barclays IBAN number. This article covers everything you need to know about Barclays IBANs. We will explain, in simple terms, what a… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Making international money transfers is becoming a more common occurrence for both individuals and business owners. In this article, we will give you the essential information you will need, explain the simple process, and identify what factors will affect transfers across different international borders and possible fees. What… Read More

Author, Mike Smith IBAN transfers are a vital solution should you find yourself needing to transfer money internationally. If you have never made an international bank transfer before, it’s likely you will have many questions about how an IBAN transfer works, and how long it will take to process. In this… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Are you looking to transfer money to South Africa?  Whether you’re sending money to a loved one, your own South African account, or transferring money for business, our guide below has everything you need to know! Once you have the information, a money transfer to South Africa… Read More

Author, Mike Smith If you are not in the habit of making international transfers for either personal or business reasons, an IBAN number may be an unfamiliar term to you. In this article, we will show you how to get a Natwest IBAN number, what it looks like, and why it’s… Read More

Author, Mike Smith A GBP to CAD forecast predicts whether the exchange rate will be higher or lower in the future. Exchange rate forecasts can help you decide when to exchange your money. Will the Pound get stronger against the Canadian Dollar? The Pound is in a good position to… Read More

Author, Mike Smith In this article, I’ll explain the process of how to exchange Dollars to Pounds, the options you have, the costs to look out for, and the best ways to save money. Where can I exchange Dollars to Pounds? You can exchange/convert Dollars to Pounds using a bank or… Read More

Author, Mike Smith In this article, I’ll explain how to make a transfer from NZD to GBP. I’ll explain the options you have and ultimately, how to save money on your NZD to GBP transfer. 4 simple steps to transfer NZD to GBP Transferring NZD to GBP can be broken… Read More

Author, Mike Smith A GBP to NZD forecast is an expectation of whether the exchange rate will be higher or lower at a future date. GBP to NZD forecasts can be used when deciding if you should exchange your money now or later. Will the New Zealand Dollar go up… Read More

Author, Mike Smith In this article, I’ll explain how you can transfer money from the UK to Cyprus. You have a couple of options when sending money to Cyprus, and I’ll guide you through how they work and how you can save money. Looking to send money to the UK from… Read More

Author, Mike Smith In this article, I’ll explain the highs and lows of the NZD to GBP exchange rate. I’ll also cover whether it is a good time to buy Pound Sterling with New Zealand Dollars and discuss what might happen to the exchange rate in the future. Highest ever NZD… Read More

Author, Mike Smith In this article, I’ll explain how to transfer money from the UK to the UAE. I’ll make it as clear and easy as possible, removing the usual complicated financial jargon. What’s more, I’ll explain how to avoid expensive costs and fees. How do I transfer money to… Read More

Author, Mike Smith In this article, I’ll explain how you can transfer money from the UK to Germany easily and cheaply. You can find out how to make your money transfer to Germany without any of the usual financial jargon. Transfer Money to Germany in 4 Simple Steps There are… Read More

Author, Mike Smith There are many different currency transfer services out there, whether through banks, online services, or specific companies. You may not know which of these companies is the best one, however, we have the answer below for you. Key Currency provides one of the very best currency transfer… Read More

Author, Mike Smith In this article, I’ll explain how to transfer money to Italy as easily and cheaply as possible. I’ll also answer some common questions about money transfers to Italy and make it clear exactly what you’ll need to do. How to Transfer money to Italy (in 4 simple… Read More

Author, Mike Smith In this article, I will explain what a foreign exchange transfer is, how they work, and most importantly, how you can make them as cheap and easy as possible. What is a foreign exchange transfer? A foreign exchange transfer is when a person or business sends money… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Below you will find what’s driving the Euro to Dollar exchange rate and what is likely for 2024. We will also provide you with some useful tips and tools to help decide when to exchange Euros into Dollars.  Will the Euro to Dollar rate get stronger in 2024?… Read More

Author, Mike Smith This article covers how you can change Euros to Pounds. I’ll also explain how you can get the best exchange rate to change your Euro to Pounds cheaply. Where can I change my Euros to Pounds? You can change your Euros to Pounds at a bank or use… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Finding a low-cost way to transfer your money from one currency to another can be tough. In this article, I will explain how you can find the cheapest way to make an international money transfer. What’s the cheapest way to transfer money internationally? The cheapest way to… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Even in 2024, using your bank to transfer money internationally is still likely to be the most expensive way you can choose.  Luckily, there are various services available that can help people make international transfers at a much lower cost and with better overall service. In this… Read More

Author, Mike Smith It can be difficult to find the right company for your international money transfers. In this article, I’ll explain how you can save money by finding the best exchange rate company for you. What is an exchange rate company? Exchange rate companies offer an alternative to banks… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Transferring money to Ireland can seem complicated, particularly after Brexit. Here, I will explain how a money transfer to Ireland works and how you can complete it efficiently, whilst saving money. Wanting to send money to the UK from Ireland? Our guide on that transfer has all… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Transferring money from New Zealand to the UK can seem complicated. Here I will explain how the process works and how long you can expect it to take. I’ll also cover how you can do it cheaply and efficiently. If you’re looking to transfer money to New… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Find out your options for transferring money from Australia to the UK. I’ll explain the pros and cons of the available methods and how you can save money on your international transfers. How to Transfer Money from Australia to the UK You have two main options when… Read More

Author, Mike Smith All the information you need about SEPA bank transfers.  In this guide, we take a look at what SEPA is, the countries included, how long a SEPA transfer takes and the information you’ll need to complete a SEPA transfer. What is a SEPA bank transfer? SEPA transfers… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Below I will explain what a currency exchange specialist is and how they operate. I will cover their costs, how they differ from banks, and the situations when it is best to use them. What does a currency exchange specialist do? A currency exchange specialist helps individuals… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Below I’ll explain how the foreign exchange market works, why it is important for international money transfers, and how it affects the exchange rate you could receive. What does the foreign exchange market mean? The foreign exchange market is where currencies are bought and sold from one… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Below I’ll explain the simplest way to transfer money from Canada to the UK. This will help you avoid high fees and get the transfer done quickly and efficiently. If you’re wanting information about sending money to Canada from the UK, then click through for guidance on… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Here you’ll find the GBP’s highs, lows & averages to NZD. This information should help you decide when to exchange Pound Sterling and New Zealand Dollars. Highest GBP to NZD rate ever The British Pound to New Zealand Dollar exchange rate increased to an all-time high of… Read More

Author, Mike Smith In this article, I’ll take a look at the best and cheapest ways to transfer money internationally, how the process works, and make sure you know how to get the most value from your international money transfer.  What is the Best Way to Transfer Money Internationally? An… Read More

Author, Mike Smith A GBP to AUD forecast is an expectation of the exchange rate at a future date. GBP to AUD forecasts are used to help decide whether it’s a good or bad time to exchange your money. What is a good GBP to AUD rate? The GBP to… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Euro to Pound forecasts are used by businesses and individuals to make better decisions on the timing of international transfers. A EUR to GBP forecast is essentially an expectation of the exchange rate at a future date using past, present and anticipated data. Is the Euro going… Read More

Author, Mike Smith I’ll explain how to transfer money to France from the UK, what fees to look out for, how long it takes, and the information you will need. For guidance on the reverse money transfer, see our article on transferring money to the UK from France. Transfer money… Read More

Author, Mike Smith I’ll explain what Natwest charges for international payment, how long it takes, the information you will need, and how you can make a Natwest international transfer.Hopefully, it will save you time reading pages of bank jargon and complicated fee schedules. Natwest international transfer fees If you carry… Read More

Author, Mike Smith It’s not that easy to get clear information from big financial institutions like Nationwide. I’ve put together this page to give you a clear understanding of how to make an international payment with Nationwide, how long it takes, and the charges to look out for. Nationwide international… Read More

Author, Mike Smith I’ll explain what Santander charges for an International Transfer, how long it takes, and how to make a Santander International Payment. Hopefully, it will save you time reading pages of bank jargon and confusing fee schedules. Santander international payment charges     While the transfer fee is the… Read More

Author, Mike Smith It can be confusing trying to get clear and helpful information from the big banks. I’ve put together this guide to save you time searching for the answers. You will find out what Lloyds charges for an international money transfer, how long it takes, and how the… Read More

Author, Mike Smith I will explain how to make an international money transfer, how long it takes, what are the charges, and how to choose a money transfer company. How to make an international money transfer If you need to make an international money transfer, you can either use a… Read More

Author, Mike Smith It’s not easy to get clear information from the big banks. I’ve put together this guide to save you time trawling through the jargon and looking for answers. Below you will find out what HSBC charges for an international transfer, how long it takes, the costs, and… Read More

Author, Mike Smith A SWIFT transfer, also called an international money transfer, is a secure and standardised method of sending or receiving money from banks anywhere in the world. What is a SWIFT Payment? SWIFT is a messaging system for banks. It works by linking up banks using standardised SWIFT… Read More

As someone who works in the industry, I’ve found that most people just want to know: How do their rates compare? Are there any fees or other charges? Can the company be trusted? Below I’ve put together information to help make it easier for you to get a better dollar… Read More

Author, Mike Smith I’ll explain what Barclays charges for an International Transfer, how long it takes, and how to make a Barclays International Payment. Hopefully, it will save you time trawling through pages of bank jargon and complicated fee schedules. Barclays international payment charges   There are two types of charges with an… Read More

Author, Mike Smith If you are buying a house in euros, getting the best exchange rate can make a big financial difference to your budget. I’ll explain the reasons why currency exchange for a property purchase is unique, as well as how you can get a better rate & avoid… Read More

Author,  Andrew Gibson You can transfer money to the UK from Switzerland using either a bank or a money transfer specialist. I’ll explain how the process works, how long it takes, the costs, and how to get a better rate. How to transfer money from Switzerland to the UK (in… Read More

Author, Mike Smith I’ll explain how you can transfer money from Italy to the UK in four basic steps. The main thing is to avoid paying high bank charges along the way. Alternatively, if you’re looking to transfer money to Italy from the UK, click through for information on that… Read More

Author, Mike Smith Transferring money from Germany to the UK is quite easy once you understand how it works. The key is to do it safely and avoid paying high fees. I’ve put together this page to explain everything you need to know in plain English. Wanting to send money… Read More