Moving money where it’s needed

We reduce the cost and friction associated with moving money to, from and across frontier and emerging markets.

Access hard-to-reach financial markets

Crown Agents Bank is a UK regulated provider of wholesale FX and cross-border payment services connected across frontier and emerging markets. Over almost two centuries, we have developed deep and trusted relationships with institutions around the globe.

By bringing together digital capabilities with our unrivalled trusted heritage, we enable our clients to safely and securely move money where it’s needed. 

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We work with:

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Governments

To facilitate trade and distribute emergency aid and overcome challenges like inflation and climate change.

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International Development Organisations

To deliver aid quickly and securely to support those in need.

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Commercial Banks

To make payments internationally, with a reliable service and a wide range of currencies available at competitive rates.

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Central Banks

To provide a range of services including current accounts, FX, government payments, pensions and reserves management via our sister company, CAIM.

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Payment Companies (Non-Bank Financial Institutions)

To buy frontier currencies or make in-market transactions at competitive rates so that end beneficiaries receive the most money possible.

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Pension Schemes

To make payments to members across the globe, offering life certifications services and providing asset management services via our sister company, CAIM.

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Our History

Our extensive global network and local expertise particularly across frontier markets has been built up over almost two centuries.  Our network, FX liquidity and digital payment rails allow us to deliver efficient, cost effective FX and payment services facilitating trade and commerce, aid development flows and aggregated remittance flows into and between our focus markets and the rest of the world.

A Trusted Brand

We have a long-term commitment to opening and maintaining safer cross border trade corridors with frontier and emerging countries with a deep commitment to enhancing financial inclusion in the process.

2020

Mass payments

  • Introduction and development of our mass payments platform through 2020 extending the reach of our low value, high volume payment capabilities.

2018-2019

Next generation digital payment gateway

  • Acquisition of Segovia, a venture-backed technology company focused on frontier and emerging market mobile money payments.

2017

FX e-trading technology platform introduced

  • Launch of EMpowerFX e-trading platform, enabling easier access to frontier and emerging market currencies for our clients.

2016

Helios Investment Partners acquires Crown Agents Bank, a subsidiary of Crown Agents Ltd

  • Crown Agents Bank separates from Crown Agents Group and is acquired by Helios Investment Partners.

 1997

Privatised by the UK Government

1833-1997

Our beginning

Since 1833, we have provided a variety of financial services solutions with the ultimate aim to support governments, international development organisations, banks and other financial institutions operating in or with frontier and emerging markets.

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Our Awards

What we do

Our in-depth financial market experience spans almost two centuries. In this time, we have developed deep and trusted relationships across Africa, the Caribbean and frontier markets across the globe.

The work we do has an impact felt by people everywhere. We help local banks engage on the world stage and support fledgling economies to overcome challenges to financial inclusion.

Our commitment to improving compliance and anti-financial crime measures helps mitigate the risk of corruption and financial crime. Our efforts to improve FX liquidity and increase the range of digital payment solutions available allows us to reduce costs in efforts to maximise the money received by end beneficiaries.

We focus on ensuring financial settlement happens on time, as planned. Through the acquisition and integration of Segovia’s payment gateway technology, we are adding new payment delivery channels, reducing risk and improving accountability by delivering funds directly to mobile wallets in addition to enabling efficient settlement to bank accounts across our network.

Through the services we deliver to our clients and partners, Crown Agents Bank encourages international trade, financial inclusion and enables growth to help alleviate poverty.

We offer cross-border transaction banking solutions, underpinned by our investment in digital technologies, to meet the needs of governments, international development organisations, central banks, commercial banks, digital payment companies, and pension schemes. Our services centre around FX and payments, supported by deposit and trade finance capabilities.

What we do

Our in-depth financial market experience spans almost two centuries. In this time, we have developed deep and trusted relationships across Africa, the Caribbean and frontier markets across the globe.

The work we do has an impact felt by people everywhere. We help local banks engage on the world stage and support fledgling economies to overcome challenges to financial inclusion.

Our commitment to improving compliance and anti-financial crime measures helps mitigate the risk of corruption and financial crime. Our efforts to improve FX liquidity and increase the range of digital payment solutions available allows us to reduce costs in efforts to maximise the money received by end beneficiaries.

We focus on ensuring financial settlement happens on time, as planned. Through the acquisition and integration of Segovia’s payment gateway technology, we are adding new payment delivery channels, reducing risk and improving accountability by delivering funds directly to mobile wallets in addition to enabling efficient settlement to bank accounts across our network.

Through the services we deliver to our clients and partners, Crown Agents Bank encourages international trade, financial inclusion and enables growth to help alleviate poverty.

We offer cross-border transaction banking solutions, underpinned by our investment in digital technologies, to meet the needs of governments, international development organisations, central banks, commercial banks, digital payment companies, and pension schemes. Our services centre around FX and payments, supported by deposit and trade finance capabilities.

Our Mission

Crown Agents Bank combines new digital capabilities and infrastructure with a unique network built up over almost two centuries.

Our services are designed to help our clients deliver FX and payments efficiently and securely. We are continually enhancing our offering to suit changing demands, integrating platform connectivity to make processing international payments simple.

Our acquisition of Segovia in 2019 demonstrates our continuing commitment to improving our products and services. By making FX and high-volume low value payments cheaper and more efficient through technology, we are helping our partners ensure that end-consumers and other beneficiaries receive more money in local currency, faster.

In turn, this means for example, that the people in greatest need across frontier and developing markets can access vital resources such as food and medication. Charities can mobilise on-the-ground teams quickly to distribute supplies in times of crisis. And individuals can receive support from loved ones abroad, to be able to afford a better quality of life.

We value fairness and transparency and operate to the highest possible standard on behalf of organisations including governments, international development organisations, banks and payment companies we partner with.

Our Mission

Crown Agents Bank combines new digital capabilities and infrastructure with a unique network built up over almost two centuries.

Our services are designed to help our clients deliver FX and payments efficiently and securely. We are continually enhancing our offering to suit changing demands, integrating platform connectivity to make processing international payments simple.

Our acquisition of Segovia in 2019 demonstrates our continuing commitment to improving our products and services. By making FX and high-volume low value payments cheaper and more efficient through technology, we are helping our partners ensure that end-consumers and other beneficiaries receive more money in local currency, faster.

In turn, this means for example, that the people in greatest need across frontier and developing markets can access vital resources such as food and medication. Charities can mobilise on-the-ground teams quickly to distribute supplies in times of crisis. And individuals can receive support from loved ones abroad, to be able to afford a better quality of life.

We value fairness and transparency and operate to the highest possible standard on behalf of organisations including governments, international development organisations, banks and payment companies we partner with.

Our Vision

We believe in the power of technology to bridge the divide between frontier and emerging markets, and the rest of the world.

Through the continuous investment in our digital infrastructure, combined with our unique network and expertise, we are reducing the cost and friction associated with moving money to, from and across these countries.

Our work with central and commercial banks and mobile network operators helps to lower the barriers to entry for growing economies striving to do business on the world stage, and supporting greater financial inclusion.

Our Vision

We believe in the power of technology to bridge the divide between frontier and emerging markets, and the rest of the world.

Through the continuous investment in our digital infrastructure, combined with our unique network and expertise, we are reducing the cost and friction associated with moving money to, from and across these countries.

Our work with central and commercial banks and mobile network operators helps to lower the barriers to entry for growing economies striving to do business on the world stage, and supporting greater financial inclusion.

Wholesale FX

  • Frontier, emerging and G10 currencies.
  • Proprietary pricing engine enabling us to stream prices to Crown Agents Bank’s single dealer platform EMpowerFX and multi-dealer platforms including, FXall, 360T and Bloomberg FXGo.
  • Technology-led service offering liquidity while consistently delivering competitive rates.

Wholesale FX

  • Frontier, emerging and G10 currencies.
  • Proprietary pricing engine enabling us to stream prices to Crown Agents Bank’s single dealer platform EMpowerFX and multi-dealer platforms including, FXall, 360T and Bloomberg FXGo.
  • Technology-led service offering liquidity while consistently delivering competitive rates.

Payments

  • Provision of cross-border and domestic payment services focused on frontier and emerging countries for anything from single to large payments through high volume low value bulk payments.
  • Multi-currency correspondent banking payments and related services.
  • Payment settlement capabilities to match specific requirements of clients including governments, international development organisations, central banks, commercial banks, digital payment companies (corporate and remittances) and pension schemes.

Payments

  • Provision of cross-border and domestic payment services focused on frontier and emerging countries for anything from single to large payments through high volume low value bulk payments.
  • Multi-currency correspondent banking payments and related services.
  • Payment settlement capabilities to match specific requirements of clients including governments, international development organisations, central banks, commercial banks, digital payment companies (corporate and remittances) and pension schemes.

Trade Finance

Products focused on our core markets, including:

  • Letter of credit confirmation, discounting and refinancing.
  • Guarantee issuance and re-issuance for financial institutions.
  • Seamless delivery of funds either through bank or mobile channels.

Trade Finance

Products focused on our core markets, including:

  • Letter of credit confirmation, discounting and refinancing.
  • Guarantee issuance and re-issuance for financial institutions.
  • Seamless delivery of funds either through bank or mobile channels.

Deposits

Money market services tailored to our clients and including:

  • Current accounts.
  • Project accounts.
  • Term deposits.

Deposits

Money market services tailored to our clients and including:

  • Current accounts.
  • Project accounts.
  • Term deposits.

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