iBanFirst Blog

For currency market analyses, economic news, fintech and payments sector insights, as well as matters relating to our clients and their business.

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    Viewed head on, the concentric cylindrical concrete roof and upper floors of the People's Bank of China building can be seen, centrepieced by a large, billowing Chinese flag, while smaller Chinese flags stand atop the structure in the background.
    2021. April 26

    Renminbi internationalisation: China’s path to a world currency?

    2020. May 18

    China: mega power with mini currency

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    Seen from below, a Scottish flag is seen billowing in the wind atop a flagpole, against a partially cloudy blue sky, exhibiting similar blue and white tones to the flag itself.
    2021. May 6

    Is GBP turbulence to be expected with a possible IndyRef2 on the horizon?

    A number of turquoise bar and line graphs of varying sizes appear against a blue background, with some figures and some red, blurry rectangular inserts
    2021. May 3

    May 2021 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    Viewed head on, the concentric cylindrical concrete roof and upper floors of the People's Bank of China building can be seen, centrepieced by a large, billowing Chinese flag, while smaller Chinese flags stand atop the structure in the background.
    2021. April 26

    Renminbi internationalisation: China’s path to a world currency?

    Seen from below, a Scottish flag is seen billowing in the wind atop a flagpole, against a partially cloudy blue sky, exhibiting similar blue and white tones to the flag itself.
    2021. May 6

    Is GBP turbulence to be expected with a possible IndyRef2 on the horizon?

    A number of turquoise bar and line graphs of varying sizes appear against a blue background, with some figures and some red, blurry rectangular inserts
    2021. May 3

    May 2021 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    Viewed head on, the concentric cylindrical concrete roof and upper floors of the People's Bank of China building can be seen, centrepieced by a large, billowing Chinese flag, while smaller Chinese flags stand atop the structure in the background.
    2021. April 26

    Renminbi internationalisation: China’s path to a world currency?

    Viewed directly from above, at an oblong angle, a large container ship can be seen, replete with a multitude of tightly packed, multi-coloured rectangular shipping containers, while the vessel itself remains docked next to a concrete-paved loading bay, which flaunts a series of parallel grey and yellow strips along its surface.
    2021. April 12

    The challenges of ocean freight and how to face them

    Various green and turquoise bar charts appear, in an oblique fashion, alongside numerical figures detailed in red and white against a dark blue background, with various colours and blurred rectangular shapes suggesting motion
    2021. April 6

    April 2021 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    A couple of Israeli shekel notes are laid on top of one another, exhibiting a bright green hue, with a number of pictorial representations scrawled on them, each coupled to numerical figures and some Hebrew text
    2021. April 2

    Are we witnessing a protracted fall in the EUR/ILS?

    2021. March 16

    Federal Open Market Committee meeting, March 2021

    On a pine wood table lie a number of different pages, strewn across the surface, each one displaying analytical data presented in the form of pie charts, bar charts and otherwise, while the arms and upper body of a man and woman can be seen above the table, as they discuss the figures, with the female constituent, located to the right of frame, swiping through information ona tablet she holds in her left hand.
    2021. March 15

    How to keep track of payments and invoices

    Multiple turquoise and red bar chart motifs appear against a deep blue background, with some showing up as blurry, as though in motion, while the outline of line graphs and figures can also be discerned
    2021. March 3

    March 2021 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    Viewed at an angle, through a dark blue lens, a person's hand can be seen lightly touching a line graph by the index finger, indicating a high point on an otherwise erratically undulating graph trajectory.
    2021. February 16

    FX Calendar 2021

    Against a deep blue background, viewed at an oblique angle, several partially translucent bottle green rectangular bars of varying heights can be seen, lined up in a bar-chart formation, surrounded, on the right-hand side, by a multitude of digitally displayed numerical figures, while the whole frame remains covered with a number of lines in pale blue and a faint red tone, forming barely discernible line graph movements and fading into the background to the left of the frame.
    2021. February 5

    What is a dynamic forward contract?

    2021. February 4

    February 2021 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    Viewed at an oblong angle facing slightly upwards, against a pixelated black screen, most of a large sky-blue dollar sign can be seen, illuminated at an angle to the right of the foreground, with the rest of the screen populated by numerical figures coupled with red or green arrowheads pointing upwards or downwards, as well as staggered line graphs climbing and descending along the screen.
    2021. January 15

    All you need to know about international payments

    2021. January 6

    January 2021 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    Positioned at an oblong angle, against a purple backdrop, a white staggered diagonal line graph can be seen, punctuated by large white dots, each one encircled with a blue line, all delineating changes in the graph's direction, as it ranges from one side of the frame to the other, with other graphic elements appearing in the background, such as the populated icons of an undulating bar chart, visible in blue and pink, as well as various other indicators and sporadically appearing numerical read-outs, all legible as if on a futuristic computer screen display.
    2021. January 5

    What solutions are there to protect against foreign exchange market volatility?

    Against a bright purple background, animated and colourful figures of all kinds are seen at an angle from above, with myriad icons appearing across the frame, representing men and women in varied attire, as well as miscellaneous objects floating in mid air, such as an open safe, a large padlock, a USB key, a triangular hazard sign and a variety of electronic equipment, all of which is centrepieced by a large white open laptop displaying a security shield icon with a tick in the middle emerging from the screen.
    2020. December 16

    Why Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) matters

    Against a deep navy background, a rectangular table adopting the form and colours of the EU flag is seen at an angle, from above, with a series of turquoise ooutlines of office chair surrounding it, all of which face inwards, while one identically shaped outline in red faces away from the table, with the British Union Jack flag emblazoned on its back.
    2020. December 16

    Brexit, the final curtain call

    A number of vertical pink bars and a series of particularly blurred blue figures appear, intertwined, at at oblique angle against a deep blue background
    2020. December 1

    December 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    Splayed haphazardly across a table, several sheets of white paper displaying pie charts, bars charts and other data-revealing graphs in varying shades of blue can be seen, with a silver fountain pen and a brown clipboard perched on top of them, the latter visible in the background beneath the blurred image of a business person's hands making a demonstrative gesture.
    2020. December 1

    Intercompany accounting, how does it work?

    2020. November 6

    November 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    The two-dimensional silhouettes of Donald Trump and Joe Biden are seen facing each other, in profile view, with a background centrepieced by a large presidential campaign badge displaying the figure 2020, adorned with white stars and exhibiting red, blue and white striping, all of which appears against a backdrop split down the middle by panes in two solid blocks of blue and red.
    2020. November 4

    Nerve-wracking US election, as outcome hangs in the balance

    Against a blue background, the outline of a padlock appears made up of illuminated, interconnected blue orbs. joined to one another through blue lines in a similar tone, with the symbols of several national currencies displayed on either side of the padlock, positioned at angle and gradually disappearing into the background.
    2020. November 2

    Security, a vital aspect of payment services

    Against a diagonally positioned backdrop of the US flag, two electoral badges sit side by side, in an oblong fashion, with the one on the left displaying the red and white electoral logo of candidate Donald Trump, with the text "Trump 2020" scrawled upon it, while the one on the right, in white with blue and red lettering, represents candidate Joe Biden and reads "Biden President".
    2020. October 23

    Your complete guide to the US presidential election

    Against a purple background, a switched-on black laptop can be seen positioned at an angle, its screen facing the viewer, while the translucent outline of a floating shield insignia hovers before it, deflecting the virtual bullets fired at the computer, which are portrayed as luminous beacons, leaving a trail or gradually tone-changing staggered dots that progressively fade out entirely.
    2020. October 23

    Detecting and protecting against bank transfer fraud

    The arms of two business men are extended outwards as they shake hands, with the sleeves and cuffs of their respective suits visible against a polychromatic backdrop gradually transitioning from a blue hue above to a pale red tone below, upon which a faint blue outline of the world map appears before a blurred tableau of currency exchange data
    2020. October 22

    5 ways to pay your international suppliers

    Positioned at an angle, a navy blue background is seen, on which digital graph displays are visible in red and orange, punctuated through the middle by a bright turquoise staggered and line graph undulating across the frame, with three-dimensional turquoise representations of Covid-19 viral cells of varying sizes being perceptible at several specific points across the frame.
    2020. October 16

    Foreign exchange market outlook for Q4 2020

    A panorama of the Shanghai skyline can be seen in the twilights hours, the sun having descended upon the horizon as a partially cloudy pink-tinged blue and grey sky succumbs to the onset of dusk, while the city below appears brightly illuminated in varying shades of gold, yellow and red, with many of its iconic buildings standing proudly upright, notably the Oriental Pearl Tower which features prominently to the right of the foreground, glistening in hot pink and purple tones, whilst a cluster of other skyscrapers, including the Shanghai World Financial Center and Shanghai Tower, extend upwards to the left of the frame.
    2020. October 16

    Which are the emerging currencies to watch out for in Asia?

    Seen at an angle, a white robotic hand extends its finger to the mirrored image of a human hand, making the same gesture, with both fingers meeting against a transparent
    2020. October 14

    Beyond the hype: growing your business with AI

    The portico and colonnaded neo-classical facade of the Argentine central bank can be seen at an angle from mid-fascia upwards, with the sides of two taller buildings perceptible on both sides of it, as well as two old-fashioned formerly oil-lit street lamps edging into the foreground of the frame on either side, whilst a patch of blue sky just barely remains visible above the bank itself, which is centrepieced by a partially exposed black wrought iron clock.
    2020. October 13

    Currency devaluation, at what cost?

    In shades primarily made up of of beige, burgundy, blue, black and red, as well as some orange and turquoise tones, several 10000 Japanese yen notes can be seen at an angle as they lie, haphazardly, overlapping one another, against a hard surface, with those in the background remaining blurred, while those in the foreground exhibit greater image clarity, with the eyes, brow and forehead of Meiji era philosopher Yukichi Fukuzawa clearly visible on a bill situated to the left of the frame, and the figure 10000 easily perceptible to his immediate right, whilst a note positioned at an oblong angle to the right of the frame also displays the figure 10000, this time on the left-hand part of the bill, with some kanji Japanese characters appearing directly underneath.
    2020. October 6

    What are the G3 currencies and why are they so important?

    Wielding pens which, in one case, is used as a gesturing device, the hands and forearms of several suitably attired business people can be seen as they lean over a chunky wooden table, on which several A4-sized pages exhibiting bar charts, pie charts and other data-displaying graphics are splayed haphazardly, with a black smartphone visible in the foreground, also perched upon the table.
    2020. October 5

    5 tips for a successful international expansion

    A semi-dark blue outline of the world map is positioned diagonally on a sky-blue surface, with different forms of freight transport, including a lorry, a ship carrying red and blue containers and an airplane, hovering above it and advancing in a circular fashion around the globe and its various continents, with a dotted white line mapping their sinuous movements, punctuated at certain points by a larger encircled white dot acting as a location marker.
    2020. October 2

    How to identify and reduce supply chain risks?

    Displayed in the foreground is an image of the upper circumference of the Earth, displayed in grey, but partially illuminated by concentrations of light in different geographic locations around the globe, with the outline of western Europe notably becoming apparent to the right of the frame, while a blue glowing net seemingly floats above the Earth's atmosphere, punctuated by scintillating blue orbs, as the background is composed of a gradually tone-shifting purple and navy panel, in front of which can be seen an oblong grid pattern also punctuated with blue orbs, as well as the diagonally positioned content of various bar charts, with some bars appearing in green, while others appear in a partially blurry fading salmon hue.
    2020. October 1

    October 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    A series of green and red bar chart items are seen undulating against a deep blue background, set against an oblong grid with digital zeros appearing scattered across the frame
    2020. September 30

    What is the difference between floating and fixed exchange rate regimes?

    A white sheet of paper populated with graphs and charts in various shades of blue can be seen from above, at an angle, with one line graph displaying four separate undulating data trajectories in the foreground, as well as a blue bar chart displaying a multitude of blue bars of varying heights positioned side by side, along with another bar chart exhibiting fewer, but thicker, blue bars, each visible in two shades of blue, struck through the middle by a staggered, but steadily rising, blue line indicating an incremental data increase on the chart.
    2020. September 10

    Which international economic indicators should be monitored in the forex world?

    A number of turquoise bar and line graphs of varying sizes appear against a blue background, with some figures and some red, blurry rectangular inserts
    2020. September 1

    September 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    Various blue-coloured three-dimensional illustrations appear perched on a white tiled surface, with an ascending line graph and a navy and sky blue 3D pie chart visible in the foreground, while a blurred rising bar chart is discernible in the background, located to the right of a hazy graph centrepieced by a dollar symbol
    2020. August 19

    Which economic indicators should you monitor? How should they be assessed?

    An illustration of a business man in a blue suit with a red tie holding a briefcase stands on a dark blue platform and looks downwards, along the sinking profile of a red line graph, which remains visible in the background of the frame and is punctuated by a series of white dots
    2020. August 19

    Can the lira still be saved?

    A number of vertical pink bars and a series of particularly blurred blue figures appear, intertwined, at at oblique angle against a deep blue background
    2020. August 18

    EUR/USD exhibits lateral movement and a decline in volumes

    Under a blue and sun-drenched sky, with minimal cumulus cloud cover, the skyscraper building of the European Central Bank is seen standing tall in the foreground, with the Main river remaining visible as it flows into the background, passing under a steel truss bridge, as Frankfurt's skyline appears clustered on the horizon
    2020. August 11

    The role and influence of central banks on the foreign exchange market

    Currency symbols are seen floating above a nocturnal city skyline, seeming to orbit around the illuminated outline of a globe which occupies the right half of the frame
    2020. August 11

    Consolidation in the currency market

    An animated illustration of a business man in a blue suit and tie walks a tightrope between two plateaus, with a small yellow grassy knoll and bush situated at the point from which he departs, and piles of gold, a glistening trophy and a towering red victory flag awaiting him at the destination
    2020. August 11

    What’s behind the new gold rush?

    The characters "EUR/USD" appear at an oblique angle on a computer screen against a black background, with two arrowheads appearing underneath, one in green pointing upwards, one greyed out pointing downwards
    2020. August 4

    Onwards and upwards for the Eurodollar

    2020. August 4

    August 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    Various green and turquoise bar charts appear, in an oblique fashion, alongside numerical figures detailed in red and white against a dark blue background, with various colours and blurred rectangular shapes suggesting motion
    2020. July 27

    The sky’s the limit as the euro heads for 1.17 over the summer period

    Multiple turquoise and red bar chart motifs appear against a deep blue background, with some showing up as blurry, as though in motion, while the outline of line graphs and figures can also be discerned
    2020. July 21

    Crazy week for the euro

    The fasciae visible on the Russian rouble, Mexican peso and Brazilian real notes are pictured side by side, each figure wearing a surgical mask
    2020. July 20

    Comeback Kid in forex country

    Two pawns stand alongside one another on a chessboard, one draped in the EU flag, the other in that of the United Kingdom
    2020. July 15

    EUR/GBP: heading for 0.92 this summer

    A number of turquoise bar and line graphs of varying sizes appear against a blue background, with some figures and some red, blurry rectangular inserts
    2020. July 15

    Who's got their finger on the pulse? The stock markets or the forex world?

    Two small male figurines engage in discussion next to a gavel resting on the flags of the EU and the United Kingdom
    2020. July 8

    Severe blow for the pound sterling

    Aerial view of a pair of men's brogues againt a tarmac background with the British and European Union flags visible on either side
    2020. July 6

    The euro comes up trumps against the pound sterling

    Silhouettes of men standing upon giant hands against a sky blue background, with images of flying dollar bills and clouds behind them
    2020. July 6

    Volatility remains low with the summer in swing

    Various graphs and charts appear in electric blue against a dynamic backdrop in vibrant pink and purple tones
    2020. July 1

    July 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    Rising red line on a graph against a deep blue background, surrounded by electric blue bar chart visuals
    2020. June 29

    Despite bearish indicators, the currency market remains defiant

    Graphs, figures and charts in blue appear against a deep blue background
    2020. June 25

    EUR/USD chart offers some insight

    European Union flag in circular form against a blue background decorated with currency symbols
    2020. June 22

    Losing streak for the euro

    The capital letters ILS appear digitalised against a glowing background, accompanied by a small green arrow
    2020. June 19

    EUR/ILS: the pair’s bearish supercycle isn’t over yet

    Two pawns positioned alongside one another, one draped in the EU flag, while the other adorns the union jack
    2020. June 16

    Brexit: Johnson takes matters into his own hands

    Two figurines discuss politics next to a large gavel lying on both a British and an EU flag
    2020. June 15

    EUR/GBP: risk of no-deal Brexit looms large again

    Graphs and numerical data visible against a deep blue background
    2020. June 12

    EUR/GBP: experiencing some turbulence

    US flag against a graphic blue background
    2020. June 10

    Will the next election mean a loss for Trump?

    Euro symbol against blue background
    2020. June 10

    EUR/USD: unexpected turnaround

    2020. June 2

    The European Central Bank in the crosshairs

    2020. June 2

    June 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    2020. May 26

    The five factors that can derail the euro

    2020. May 26

    A depression? I think not.

    2020. May 25

    EUR/USD remains vulnerable

    2020. May 19

    EUR/CHF: BNS sticks to its guns

    2020. May 18

    China: mega power with mini currency

    2020. May 14

    EUR/JPY 110 this summer?

    2020. May 14

    Uniqueness makes bitcoin unpredictable

    2020. May 13

    EURJPY: on track for the lows of 2016

    2020. May 7

    What alternatives to banks do small businesses have?

    2020. May 5

    Nearly universal rebound of the euro

    2020. May 5

    [Expert view] Purchasing departments need to retake control of their currency transactions

    2020. May 4

    May 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    2020. May 2

    Dollarydoo steals the show — or Australian dollar no longer Down Under

    2020. May 2

    Swedish krona immune to volatility?

    2020. April 28

    Under pressure, EUR/USD returns to March levels

    2020. April 28

    Sweden charts its own COVID-19 course: the krona is clambering back up

    2020. April 22

    Catastrophe in Russia

    2020. April 21

    A fragile calm returns to the currency market

    2020. April 16

    ABC analysis of EUR/GBP

    2020. April 16

    My name is Bond ... Eurobond!

    2020. April 7

    The euro’s woes are not yet over

    2020. April 2

    April 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    2020. March 30

    Three questions to understand what’s happening on the forex market

    2020. March 13

    Consumers rejoice while stock market despairs

    2020. March 10

    Three questions to explain the recent turmoil in exchange rates

    2020. March 9

    Fed panics: dollar bears the brunt

    2020. March 6

    EUR/USD litmus test

    2020. March 2

    March 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    2020. February 29

    Will the yen be the next coronavirus victim?

    2020. February 27

    Who will take it up against Trump?

    2020. February 24

    EUR/USD approaches fundamental support

    2020. February 17

    Will the Australian dollar rise from the ashes?

    2020. February 10

    How the corona virus is infecting the forex market

    2020. February 5

    When will India deliver on its promise?

    2020. February 3

    February 2020 - Monthly Economic Outlook

    2020. January 31

    Brexit: a marathon theoretically due to end on 31 December 2020