Private Client FX for Transfers of £250,000 to £20 Million+

Private Client FX is a bespoke foreign exchange service for individuals transferring £250,000 or more — typically for property purchases, wealth transfers, inheritance, or overseas investments. Unlike banks or apps, Lucid assigns a dedicated FX specialist who manages your transfer personally, from first call to final settlement. We only work with £250k+ transfers because that’s where specialist expertise delivers measurable savings.

Banks typically apply 1.5-3% margins above the interbank rate on large private client transfers. On £500,000, that’s £7,500-£15,000. Lucid’s margin is typically 0.3-0.8%, so you save £5,500-£11,000 on the same transfer. You also get a dedicated FX specialist (David Huggett, CISI Chartered), transparent pricing shown before you commit, and the ability to lock in forward contracts for up to 12 months.

Most currency brokers serve transfers from £500 upwards, which means they operate at scale with call centre support. Lucid works exclusively with £250k+ transfers. That focus means you work directly with a CISI Chartered specialist — not a rotating account manager. Rates on large transfers are typically tighter, and the service is genuinely bespoke rather than templated.

Lucid’s minimum transfer is £250,000. Below this level, the savings versus other providers don’t justify our specialist model. Clients transferring £100k-£250k can still save considerable sums versus banks — we’re happy to recommend alternative specialists for that bracket.

On a £1 million transfer, our clients typically save £12,000-£22,000 versus high-street banks and £5,000-£15,000 versus private banking divisions. Exact savings depend on the currencypair, timing, and transfer complexity. We show you the exact margin before you commit — always.

Yes. All client funds are held in safeguarded accounts through Currency Cloud, an FCA- authorised electronic money institution (FRN: 900199). Your funds are legally separate from Lucid’s operational accounts. In the unlikely event of insolvency, safeguarded funds form a protected asset pool returned to clients. This structure is mandated by UK regulation.

A small, transparent margin on each transaction — typically 0.3-0.8% on large transfers. We show you the margin before you commit, and there are no hidden fees or transfer charges. That’s it. We’re not paid commission or incentivised to push specific products.

Yes. Forward contracts let you fix today’s exchange rate for transfers up to 12 months ahead. This protects against currency movements during property completion, planned wealth transfers, or investment settlements. If you need to draw down early, we can settle the forward contract before maturity at no penalty.

Same day. Most clients receive a quote within a few hours of initial contact. Account setup typically completes within 24-48 hours once documentation is provided. For urgent transfers, Dave can prioritise same-day setup.

A forward contract locks in today’s exchange rate for a transfer you’ll make in the future (up to 12 months). It’s ideal when you have a confirmed future commitment — like a property completion date — and want to protect your budget from currency movements. For example: if you’re buying a €500,000 property completing in 4 months, a forward contract ensures you know the exact sterling cost today.

Most of our clients are UK-based or UK-connected (expats, dual nationals, UK-resident HNWs). We can work with overseas clients on a case-by-case basis, subject to compliance checks with our regulated partners.

For major currencies (EUR, USD, AED, CHF), most transfers complete same-day or next- business-day once funds are received. Exotic currency pairs may take 1-2 additional days. We confirm exact timelines upfront — no guesswork, no surprises.

Yes — this is common practice. Many of our clients are referred by solicitors (conveyancing or probate), wealth managers, or accountants. We coordinate directly with your advisors to align transfer timing with property completions, estate distributions, or investment settlements. Full documentation is provided for your records.

Private banking FX desks typically apply 1.5-3% margins and offer limited flexibility. On a £5M transfer, that’s £75,000-£150,000. Lucid’s margins are significantly tighter, and you work directly with a CISI Chartered specialist rather than through a relationship manager who isn’t an FX expert. Many of our clients retain private banking relationships but use Lucid for specific FX transactions.