Forward Exchange Contracts

A forward exchange contract is a mechanism by which one can ensure the value of one currency against another by fixing the rate of exchange in advance for a transaction expected to take place at a future date. It is a tool to protect the exporters and importers against exchange risks. The uncertainty about the rate which would prevail on a future date is known as exchange risk. From the point of an exporter the exchange risk is that the foreign currency in which the transaction takes place may depreciate in future and thus the expected realization will be less in terms of local currency.… Read the rest

Foreign Exchange Control in India

Any transaction in foreign Exchange is governed by Foreign Exchange Management ACT 1999. The FERA had its origin by defense of India rules (DIR) 1935. This control was exercised in order to ensure the foreign exchange particularly due to severe constraints on exchange reserve due to Second World War. Later on 23 March 1947 this rule became in the State Book as Foreign Exchange Regulation Act 1947. Later this act modified with certain amendments in 1973 and become effective from 01.01.1974. Further relaxation of this affect was effected since 1994. The same was repealed from 1st June, 2000 and all foreign exchange transactions from this date will be governed by the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management  Act 1999.… Read the rest

Role of FEDAI in Foreign Exchange

Authorized Dealers in Foreign Exchange (Ads) have formed an association called Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India (FEDAI) in order to lay down certain terms and conditions for transactions in Foreign Exchange Business. Ad has to given an undertaking to Reserve Bank of India to abide by the exchange control and other terms and conditions introduced by the association for transactions in foreign exchange business. Accordingly FEDAI has evolved various rules for various transactions in order to protect the interest of the exporters, importers general public and also the authorized in dealers. FEDAI which is a company registered under Section 25 of the companies Act, 1956 has subscribed to the

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Types of Selling Rates in Foreign Exchange Markets

When a bank sells foreign exchange it receives Indian rupees from the customer and parts with foreign currency. The sale is affected by issuing a payment instrument on the correspondent bank with which it maintains the nostro account. immediately on sale, the bank buys the requisite foreign exchange from the market and gets its nostro account credited with the amount so that when the payment instrument issued buy its is presented to the corresponded bank it can be honoured by debit to the nostro account. However, depending upon the work involved, viz., whether the sale involves handling of documents by the bank or not, two types of selling rates are quoted in India, they are

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Types of Buying Rates in Foreign Exchange Markets

In a purchase transaction the bank acquires foreign exchange from the customer and pays him in Indian rupees. Some of the purchase transactions result in the bank acquiring foreign exchange immediately, while some involve delay in the acquisition of foreign exchange. For instance, if the bank pays a demand drawn on it by its correspondent bank, there is no delay because the foreign corresponded bank would already have credited the nostro account of the paying bank while issuing the demand draft. On the other hand, if the bank purchases on “On demand” bill from the customer, it has first to be sent to the draws place for collection.… Read the rest

Merchant Rate and Exchange Margin in Foreign Exchange Markets

Merchant Rate

The foreign exchange dealing of a bank with its customer is known as  merchant business and the exchange rate at which the transaction takes place is the merchant rate. The merchant business in which the contract with the customer to buy or sell foreign exchange is agreed to and executed on the same day is known as ready transaction or cash transaction. As in the case of interbank transactions a value next day contract is deliverable on the next business day and a  spot contract is deliverable on the second succeeding business day following the date of the contract.… Read the rest