Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Worried Britons crowd foreign currency exchanges
A voter leaves afer casting his ballot paper at a polling station set up inisde a residential house in Rochdale, northern England, on June 23, 2016, as Britain holds a referendum to vote on whether to remain in, or to leave the European Union (EU). (Photo: AFP)
News
June 22, 2016

Worried Britons crowd foreign currency exchanges

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Foreign currency dealerships have seen a boom in trade in recent days with Britons lining up to sell their pounds, concerned about a devaluation if Britain votes to leave the EU on Thursday.

“People are purchasing to be on the safe side,” said Niroshan Fernando, senior manager at the Thomas Exchange Global foreign currency business on Cannon Street in the City of London financial hub.

“We’ve seen about 60 to 70 percent more in the last couple of days in terms of volume,” he said.

“It’s all due to panic buying. I think we’ll see similar queues tomorrow because people are still unsure, even if we vote to Remain,” he added.

One City worker in his 40s queuing outside the shop said he was going on a foreign holiday in two weeks’ time but was changing some money early just in case.

“I’m trying to hedge a bit, so I’m getting some of it now and some of it later,” he said.

Analysts have said the pound could fall by between 15 percent to 20 percent if Britain votes to leave although the currency surged against the euro and dollar to 2016 highs on Thursday on the back of expectation of a “Remain” victory.

Billionaire George Soros, who famously profited by betting against the pound in a 1992 currency crisis, earlier this week predicted a “Black Friday” for Britain the day after the vote if it votes “Leave”.

“The value of the pound would decline precipitously,” the 85-year-old wrote in the Guardian newspaper.

Rasaka Dissanayake, business development manager at online and bricks-and-mortar trader BestForeignExchange.com, said customers had been queueing up to 40 minutes at their shops this week.

“Most people wanted to buy their foreign money before the referendum,” he said — mainly relatively small amounts in the hundreds or thousands of pounds.

“It is mostly to exchange sterling against dollars and euros, but other holiday destination currency as well, like the ones from Croatia and Czech Republic,” he said.

Post Office Travel Money, which accounts for a quarter of all British foreign exchange transactions, said it had seen a spike in deals.

It reported a 113-percent jump in sales of pounds to buy euros and dollars on Wednesday alone — compared to the same day a year ago.

Since the beginning of June, the increase was 41 percent compared to the same period last year, said the operator, which is present in Britain’s more than 10,000 post office branches.

Travelex, another foreign currency trader, also said there had been a 101-percent increase in online deals on Wednesday, compared to Wednesday last week.

“It’s highly possible that this surge is due to the uncertainty being fuelled by today’s vote,” said David Swann, head of pricing for UK, Europe and the US for Travelex.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

MYE Laurell get rave reviews for Diana Ross remake ‘It’s My House’
Entertainment, Latest News
MYE Laurell get rave reviews for Diana Ross remake ‘It’s My House’
May 30, 2026
United States-based reggae singer Mye Laurell is generating buzz on local airwaves with her soulful remake of Diana Ross’ classic hit  It’s My House ,...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trump floats DC rally after artistes ditch US birthday concerts
International News, Latest News
Trump floats DC rally after artistes ditch US birthday concerts
May 30, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States (US) President Donald Trump, claiming he could draw larger audiences than Elvis Presley, said Saturday...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica make four changes for Unity Cup final against Nigeria
Latest News, Sports
Jamaica make four changes for Unity Cup final against Nigeria
May 30, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica have made four changes to their starting lineup for the 2026 Unity Cup final against Nigeria at Charlton Athletic stadium ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Dublin protest urges probe into ‘George Floyd’-style death
International News, Latest News
Dublin protest urges probe into ‘George Floyd’-style death
May 30, 2026
DUBLIN, Ireland (AFP) — Protesters in Dublin demanded "justice" Saturday for a Congolese man who died after he was restrained by security guards, in a...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WHO chief arrives at epicentre of DRC’s Ebola outbreak
International News, Latest News
WHO chief arrives at epicentre of DRC’s Ebola outbreak
May 30, 2026
BUNIA, DR Congo (AFP) — The World Health Organization's (WHO) Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, landed on Saturday in the eastern Democrat...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
More than 3,000 guns, 56 tonnes of drugs seized in Interpol-led operation
Latest News, Regional
More than 3,000 guns, 56 tonnes of drugs seized in Interpol-led operation
May 30, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — Law enforcement agencies across 20 countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean seized 3,308 illega...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Raheem Sterling arrested for suspected drug-driving
Latest News, Sports
Raheem Sterling arrested for suspected drug-driving
May 30, 2026
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Raheem Sterling has been arrested on suspicion of drug-driving after he allegedly crashed his car into motorway barrier...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Residents join rebuilding effort as hurricane recovery continues in George’s Plain
Latest News, News
Residents join rebuilding effort as hurricane recovery continues in George’s Plain
May 30, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Seven months after Hurricane Melissa tore through sections of western Jamaica, recovery efforts continue in George’s Plain, where ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct