Travelex Sees 129 Percent Increase in Gold Transactions

Business Wire, April 22, 2008

NEW YORK -- Travelex, the world's leading currency exchanger, reports a 129 percent increase in the sale of gold from the first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of this year.

"The trend isn't a surprise, given the lower value of the US dollar," said Jon Dario, North American retail director. "Our customers are telling us that it makes them feel more secure to diversify their investment portfolios by including some gold, in addition to stocks, bonds and currencies. They feel that gold will hold its value internationally over time. One customer recently cashed in $10,000 in gold she'd purchased over the years to pay for her children's college education."

Although most customers purchase gold as a commodity investment, a number have reported a more unusual purpose - giving gold as a holiday, anniversary or birthday gift.

Travelex sells 37 types of gold. Among the most popular are the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf and South African Krugerrand. Travelex also stocks gold coins from Austria and Hungary, as well as gold Buffalos, Mexican pesos, and Chinese Pandas. Gold nuggets and bullion in bars ranging from two ounces to 100 grams are also available.

About Travelex:

Travelex is the world's foreign exchange and business payments specialist. The group is also one of the world's leading providers of outsourced travel money to banks, travel agencies and other financial institutions. The group serves businesses and individual travelers through nearly 700 banks, stores, malls and airports in four regions: the Americas; United Kingdom; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia Pacific.