- Not all banks or credit unions exchange foreign currency.
- Our list has options that let you exchange foreign currency at a branch, over the phone, or online.
- Most financial institutions require you to be a customer to exchange foreign currency.
If you’re looking to exchange currency for a trip abroad, major brick-and-mortar banks or credit unions can help you get different currencies at a fair exchange rate.
You won’t want to visit your nearest branch on a whim, though, as some banks do not offer exchanges. Here’s everything you need to know about exchanging currency — from where you can go to what you’ll need to place an order.
15 banks that exchange foreign currency
Here’s a list of banks and
credit unions
from our best guides that exchange foreign currency. Keep in mind most banks or credit unions require you to be a customer to exchange currency.
- America First Credit Union: Credit union members may visit select branches to exchange up to $5,000. There’s a $10 transaction fee if you exchange more than $300 and a $20 transaction fee for exchanges under $300.
- Bank of America: Bank of America customers may exchange up to $10,000 online or over the phone. You can also place an order over $10,000 at a branch. There isn’t a fee for exchanging currency, but if you have your order shipped home, there’s a $7.50 fee.
- Citibank: You can call or visit a branch to exchange over 50 types of currency. There’s no fee for Citigold or Citi Priority Account Package customers. Citi customers with accounts not mentioned will have to pay a $5 service fee for any transaction under $1,000. If you’d prefer to have money sent to your home, there’s a $10 to $20 fee, depending on your shipping priorities.
- Citizens Bank: You may exchange foreign currency at a branch. Contact Citizens Bank for more currency exchange information.
- Chase: Chase customers may exchange up to $5,000 at local branches. You’ll have to your nearest branches to learn about transaction fees.
- First Citizens Bank: Customers may exchange over 80 types of currency at branches. There aren’t any limits on how much you can exchange, but you’ll need to contact your nearest branch to learn more about potential fees.
- First Horizon Bank: First Horizon Bank has currency for more than 65 countries. You’ll have to visit a branch to exchange currency and learn more about potential fees.
- Huntington Bank: Huntington Bank customers can exchange up to $20,000 for an $8 fee at bank branches. The bank has 75 types of currencies.
- PNC Bank: PNC Bank lets customers exchange currency at local branches. You’ll want to call your PNC branch first so currency can be delivered beforehand. The bank charges zero transaction fees for exchanging currency.
- Regions Bank: Regions customers may exchange currency at local branches. You’ll have to visit a branch to exchange currency and learn more about potential fees.
- State Employees Credit Union: Only credit union members can exchange foreign currency at branches. You’ll want to call SECU customer service before you visit a branch to ensure the type of currency will be available at your nearest location.
- Service Federal Credit Union: Service Credit Union has over 60 types of currencies. You may call or visit a local branch to place an order. Orders under $200 may entail a $10 transaction fee.
- TD Bank: TD Bank has 55 types of currencies. You do not need to have a TD Bank account to place an order. Orders can be done online or at a TD branch. However, keep in mind online orders have $7.50 fee and a maximum order limit of $1,500.
- US Bank: US Bank customers may exchange currency at a local branch. There’s a $10 transaction fee for orders $250 or less. Orders that exceed this amount do not have a transaction fee.
- Wings Financial Credit Union: Wings Financial Credit Union has over 90 different currencies, and orders may be placed at local branches. There’s a $10 transaction fee for orders under $300. The fee is waived if you make an order over $300.
How to exchange foreign currency
Not all financial institutions exchange currency. Even if your bank provides this service, your nearest branch may only have certain types of currency available or limited amounts.
To avoid unnecessary trips to a bank, consider taking the following steps for purchasing currency.
Call your bank’s customer service.
Sandra Jones, senior vice president of member communications at State Employees Credit Union, recommends calling your bank’s customer service to see if your location has the type of currency you need to exchange.
If the currency isn’t immediately available, a bank representative can place an order.
Some financial institutions may offer to have the money sent to your home for a fee. If your bank requires you to exchange currency in person, you can set up an appointment to visit a branch.
While you can check exchange rates online to get a rough idea of how much money you’ll need, Jones says online rates do not accurately represent the rates available at financial institutions.
Make sure you have everything to complete the order.
When you are exchanging currency, make sure you have the following readily available:
- A US ID like your driver’s license or passport
- Currency being exchanged
- Additional cash or payment option if your bank charges a transaction fee
Banks will usually charge a transaction fee for exchanging currency. You’ll either pay a flat fee or a variable fee, which depends on the amount and type of currency.
A bank representative will guide you through the steps of buying currency at your appointment.
When you return from your trip, your financial institution may also be able to buy back the foreign currency.