A currency swap is a transaction in which two parties exchange an equivalent amount of money with each other but in different currencies. … The purpose could be to hedge exposure to exchange-rate risk, to speculate on the direction of a currency, or to reduce the cost of borrowing in a foreign currency.

What are the benefits of currency swaps?

Swapping allows companies to revise their debt conditions to take advantage of current or expected future market conditions. Currency and interest rate swaps are used as financial tools to lower the amount needed to service a debt as a result of these advantages.

Why do firms use currency swaps?

Companies doing business abroad often use currency swaps to get more favorable loan rates in the local currency than they could if they borrowed money from a bank in that country. Currency swaps are important financial instruments used by banks, investors, and multinational corporations.