Relianz Forex Ltd is an excellent instance of how the right combination of business domain knowledge, well honed experience, hard work, top notch customer service and a commitment to community wellbeing can work to bring success – even in the worst of economic times.
This aspiring leader in the foreign exchange business in New Zealand came into existence only in June 2009 – at the very height of the recession. Just 12 months later, it has expanded into three establishments and plans to add at least two more before the end of this year.
Relianz Forex Ltd is a One Stop Foreign Exchange service provider that is committed to provide exceptional service to its customers. It deals in foreign currency purchase and sale providing competitive rates to the large number of tourists, students and others who visit Auckland or are travelling outbound.
At the helm of affairs of the company run by a dedicated team of professionals is V Giri, who founded the company. He has the experience of working in a variety of functional and leadership roles in some of the biggest names in the business – Thomas Cook and American Express, both in India. He worked in the sector for some 18 years.
The ever smiling, soft-spoken but highly articulate CEO says he helped set up several branches for Thomas Cook in India including in major cities like Jaipur and Ahmedabad.
Making the move to New Zealand in 2003, he worked for a couple of firms before striking out on his own last year. “With all our team’s experience and expertise we endeavour to extend great service and provide highly competitive rates tour customers, businesses and associates,” Mr Giri says.
It also caters to the large segment of the immigrant population who send money back home to South Asian destinations. “Be it arranging credit to account or delivery of bank cheque to beneficiary or cash pickups, Relianz Forex offers specialised remittance solutions to the Indian sub-continent,” Mr Giri adds.
The draft delivery service to India, Bangladesh and Philippines ensures that the beneficiary gets full proceeds without any further bank charges. The company provides money exchange, money transfers, cash pickups, door-to-door draft deliveries, worldwide wire transfers, bank drafts and international phone cards.
“Our values are very important to us,” says Mr Giri. “We will do everything that complies with the law of the land. Relianz Forex is committed to preventing money laundering and financing terrorism through its service and has adopted several preventive measures.”
In its yearlong existence, Relianz Foreign Exchange has even been recognised by the prestigious National Business Review’s (NBR) exciting companies list as one of the 10 most exciting Indian companies in New Zealand. “We did not seek it and were pleasantly surprised,” says Mr Giri.
A great supporter of community projects and cultural programmes, Relianz Forex has sponsored over 20 programmes in the past year. “We would like to support all cultural efforts and encourage any exposure to our heritage and performing art to our children and families,” Mr Giri says.
But in the second year, he plans to be more choosy about what Relianz Forex sponsors. “We would now rather support classier programmes that deliver better value to the community,” he says.
Another reason for the company’s meteoric rise in popularity is its community orientation even in its business practices. “Every Tuesday, we conduct free money transfers between 5pm and 7pm,” Mr Giri says. This has proved tremendously popular and has helped spread the word.
“We open 7 days a week, it is convenience, smart service and competitive rates that make it different from other service providers,” he adds. Mr Giri plans to add two new outlets in the Greater Auckland region in this year and is also actively eyeing the Australian and South Pacific markets. “We would like to be a Oceania-wide brand,” he says.