FX Cost Optimization
Pricing transparency and execution for corporate FX.
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Solution
Banking Cost Reduction.
Independent banking cost reduction across FX, fees, payments, and credit. Senior advisory, structured benchmarking, and execution support.
Banking Strategy
Independent banking cost reduction for mid-sized and international companies.
Banking cost is one of the largest recurring expenses in corporate finance — and one of the most consistently under-managed. Firma Advisory helps companies identify, benchmark, and renegotiate the cost of their banking relationships across FX, fees, payments, and credit.
We work as an independent counterpart to the banking environment: senior, analytical, and on the client's side of the table.
Where the Cost Sits
The components of banking cost that compound year after year.
FX spreads
Almost always the single largest source of avoidable cost. Spreads set when the relationship was established are rarely revisited.
Payment and account fees
Reviewed individually, each looks small. Aggregated, they typically represent the second-largest source of avoidable cost.
Credit facility pricing
Commitment fees, margins, and covenant pricing often reflect the risk profile of an earlier phase of the business.
Cash management services
Sweeping, pooling, value dating, and ancillary services priced bilaterally and rarely benchmarked.
Idle cash cost
Cash sitting in non-yielding accounts has become a meaningful opportunity cost in the current rate environment.
Single-bank dependency
The most expensive form of relationship management. Limits leverage, restricts pricing, and concentrates operational risk.
Method
A repeatable banking cost reduction methodology.
Consolidated cost view
Build a single view of banking cost across all counterparts and service categories. Identify the largest line items.
Benchmarking
Establish independent market reference points for FX, fees, payments, and credit. Convert pricing into terms that can be negotiated.
Negotiation
Structured engagement with banking counterparts, including RFP design where appropriate. Senior-level counterpart conversations.
Ongoing cadence
Establish the review rhythm that maintains negotiating leverage and prevents pricing drift over time.
Outcomes
Reductions that flow to P&L and compound over time.
Material FX cost reduction
FX spreads typically reduce by a meaningful margin once pricing is benchmarked and negotiated.
Fee structure rationalization
Account, payment, and ancillary fees aligned to current scale and volume.
Improved credit terms
Commitment fees, margins, and covenants aligned to current risk profile.
Pricing transparency
A documented view of pricing that can be compared, audited, and revisited.
Diversified counterparts
Reduced single-bank dependency, with operational and pricing benefits.
Durable leverage
A structured review cadence that maintains negotiating position over time.
Suited For
Where this work delivers most value
PE-backed companies
Banking cost reduction is a reliable, modelable contribution to EBITDA improvement.
Mid-sized corporates
Companies with USD 50M–500M revenue typically carry significant banking cost they have not actively reviewed.
European SMEs
SMEs working with large international banks but without internal negotiation capacity or independent benchmarks.
FAQ
Banking Cost Reduction: Common Questions
How much can be saved on banking cost?
The range varies by company, banking environment, and starting position. Diagnostic engagements provide an indicative range early in the work, against which the renegotiation can be measured. Reductions are usually material relative to engagement cost.
Will this damage our banking relationships?
No. Pricing review is a normal, expected part of mature corporate-bank relationships. Conducted professionally and with structure, the conversation strengthens the relationship by aligning it with current scale. Banks expect — and respect — corporates that negotiate.
How long does an engagement take?
Typical engagements run six to twelve weeks from diagnostic to executed renegotiation, depending on the number of counterparts and complexity of the banking footprint.
Are you affiliated with banks?
No. Firma Advisory has no affiliations, retainers, or commissions with any bank or financial institution. Our independence is structural.
Engage
Discuss your financial priorities with us.
A brief, confidential conversation is the most efficient way to determine where Firma Advisory can support your organization.