1st Contact

1st Contact is a UK-based financial services provider that originally started as a tax and accounting firm for expats moving to the UK. Founded in 1995, it has since evolved to offer international money transfer services. The company maintains offices in London, Melbourne, and Cape Town, reflecting its focus on the Antipodean and South African expat communities.

According to its official registration records, 1st Contact is registered in the United Kingdom as of December 2018, and holds regulatory authorisations from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). These licences are for market making and derivatives trading, respectively, though their current status is not publicly detailed.

1st Contact's primary service is international money transfer, allowing clients to send funds across borders at competitive exchange rates. The company also provides tax and accounting advice for expatriates, particularly those from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa who have moved to the UK. The money transfer platform is accessible via a secure online portal at secure.1stcontact.com.

Notably, the company has rebranded its forex and transfer operations under the name "Sable International," though existing clients can continue to use their 1st Contact credentials. This transition appears to be a branding change rather than a change in service or team.

1st Contact caters primarily to expatriates and immigrants, especially those from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa who need to move money to or from the UK. Its tax services are also tailored to this demographic. The money transfer service is designed for individuals and businesses that require reliable, cost-effective cross-border payments.

1st Contact holds regulatory licences from two authorities: ASIC in Australia and the FSCA in South Africa. The ASIC licence is classified as Market Making (MM), while the FSCA licence is for Derivatives Trading (EP). However, the status of these licences is not specified in available records. The company is registered in the United Kingdom, but it does not appear to be directly regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Traders and clients should verify the current standing of these licences directly with the respective regulators, as the lack of a clear status can imply limited regulatory oversight in the UK.

Clients access the money transfer service via a secure web portal at secure.1stcontact.com. The platform requires an email and password for login, and offers an online keyboard for enhanced security. Registration involves providing personal details including email and date of birth. The interface is straightforward, focusing on fund transfers rather than trading.