Yachting Partners International (YPI) Links up With International Payments Specialist: Currencies Direct

LONDON, December 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

In a first for the yachting industry, Yachting Partners International (YPI) has announced a partnership with Currencies Direct, a company specialising in foreign exchange and international payments. The partnership will give YPI's clients and crew access to specialist assistance from a dedicated dealer and deliver significant savings through highly competitive exchange rates and fee-free transfers.

"There has never really been an appetite in the private yachting industry to explore savings on international transfers," says Sim Lighten, ex yachting company director and captain, now working as Business Development Manager for Yachting Partnerships at Currencies Direct, "however as yachting moves towards the need for greater commercial viability in light of industry changes, client expectation and the global economic situation, companies and individuals alike are increasingly looking for ways to reduce costs. By using Currencies Direct to send transfers overseas or make international payments, they can expect savings of between 2% to 5% compared to using the services of their high street bank. On the large sums involved, that quickly adds up to savings of thousands of pounds. "

Ian Petts, Financial Director for YPI comments: "We are always looking for ways to help our clients and our crew and we are excited about this new partnership and service. Whether it is helping crew transfer their monthly salaries for free, direct into their bank accounts in their home country, or helping clients save on the charter, purchase of a yacht, planning stage payments on a new construction build and even normal everyday management, we believe Currencies Direct can provide the secure and efficient assistance we need. 

"This is an industry that is constantly making cross-border payments and YPI is proud to be one of the first companies to identify the money-saving potential of using a foreign exchange specialist. We have chosen to partner with Currencies Direct because of their reputation, their technical expertise with exotic products such as currency futures, their 16 years experience in international payments and very importantly because they are authorised and regulated by the FSA."

The partnership is also viewed very positively by the CEO of Currencies Direct, Keith Hatton: "We have taken the time to understand the industry's needs to develop a tailored product specifically for the yachting industry. Currencies Direct is looking to develop a long term relationship with the industry and is delighted that YPI, one of the key players in this market, has been the first to recognise the value of our bespoke products and services."

CASE STUDY

My employer was sending my euro wages to my Euro bank account in Jersey monthly. I was then sending my pay home every month to my Australian account via my bank, paying a fee for every transfer and never getting the rate I saw online. Currencies Direct were able to pay my salary direct into my AU$ account at no additional cost to me and at a significantly better exchange rate. Rather than making numerous phone calls at inconvenient times, Currencies Direct contacted me by email when they had received the funds and I saw the money in my Australian account the very next day. I wish I had known about their service sooner and I shall be recommending it to all crew going forward.

Lauren Symons, Chief Stewardess, MY Gu, 59m

For additional case studies visit : http://www.currenciesdirectyachting.com or contact Sim Lighten on sim.l@currenciesdirect.com.

For more information on YPI visit: http://www.ypigroup.com or contact Mark Duncan on mark.duncan@ypigroup.com

About Currencies Direct

Currencies Direct http://www.currenciesdirect.com with more than $3bn annual turnover is one of Europe's leading non-bank providers of international payment services. Since its formation in 1996 Currencies Direct has maintained its focus on being an innovative service provider of foreign exchange transfers for consumers and high net worth individuals with an extensive client base of 200 000. The company has also expanded its services to provide dynamic and pioneering 'business to business' solutions to help companies, tier 2/3 banks and other non-bank financial institutions process their international payments.

Headquartered in the City of London (United Kingdom) with operations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the United States, Currencies Direct is part of the Azibo Group, a privately owned investment company http://www.azibogroup.com which is a member of the World Economic Forum.

About Yachting Partners International (YPI)

Celebrating 40-years of award-winning service, YPI http://www.ypigroup.com is part of the Barry Rogliano Salles Shipbroking Group (BRS). From its early beginnings as a three-person office in Brighton, England, YPI now has offices in the UK, France, Monaco and Asia with parent branches in 10 countries throughout the world. Renowned for its integrity, considerable industry experience and for getting results, YPI has been designing, building, managing, crewing, chartering, refitting and selling superyachts for some of the most demanding clients all over the world. With a team of forty, YPI is small enough to ensure the maximum of individual care for all clients, and big enough to negotiate the very best deals in a crowded and competitive market.

One of the few groups today able to offer quality in-depth support and expertise across all aspects of superyachting, YPI has five specialised divisions: YPI Brokerage, YPI Management, YPI Charter, YPI Crew and YPI Asia.