You'd get a second quote on a renovation, a mortgage, or an insurance policy. Currency exchange deserves the same — because the first number a bank shows you already has its margin inside. Ours takes five minutes, costs nothing, and comes with a written guarantee to beat any better rate you find.
About as good as the other Big Five — which is the problem. Canada's major banks typically carry around 2–3.5% inside their retail exchange rates, and "good" only means something next to an alternative.
That's what we are: a specialist quote, up to 3% better than the banks', no fees, backed by our Exchange Rate Guarantee. Put the two numbers side by side and let the math pick.
Row by row — including the rows banks would rather you didn't compare.
| CanAm Currency Exchange | BMO (typical big-bank retail FX) | |
|---|---|---|
| What the rate includesEverything, or just the beginning? | The rate is the entire price — no fees layered on afterward | The margin sits in the rate, and wire or transfer charges can still follow, by account and destination |
| Distance from mid-market | Specialist pricing up to 3% better than the banks' | Big-bank retail margins typically land around 2–3.5%, shifting with currency and amount |
| Getting a competing quoteHow hard is it to comparison-shop? | Free and instant — live quotes with no obligation, before you commit anything | Not offered — a bank quotes its own rate; comparing is on you |
| Rewarding loyalty | Every client gets the guarantee and volume pricing — no tier to qualify for | Tenure alone rarely improves retail FX pricing; preferred rates usually require premium status |
| Human on the phone | A named specialist handles your trade end to end at 1-844-915-5151 | Branch staff or call centre; large trades may be referred onward |
| Speed to settle | Trades done in hours; funds usually land within one business day, often same day | In-account conversion is fast; external and cross-border transfers can take longer |
| Where your money sits | Segregated client account at a major Canadian financial institution; FINTRAC regulated; written trade confirmation | Within the bank; OSFI-regulated institution |
| Minimum to trade | $1,500 online with flexibility; no minimum in-store in Windsor | None — every dollar simply pays the standard margin |
Margins and charges vary by institution, account tier, currency pair, and amount, and move daily — always confirm BMO's current rate before trading. Figures reflect typical big-bank retail FX pricing in Canada, offered for general comparison rather than as a quote of BMO's rate on any specific day.
A one-time cost stings once. A margin costs you on every single conversion — here's a typical 2.5% bank margin over time:
See What You'd Keep — Register Free
Illustrative figures at a 2.5% margin for clarity; real margins differ by bank, currency, amount, and day of trade.
Skepticism is the right starting point with money. Here's where ours holds up.
Sometimes, for large amounts or premium clients — after asking, escalating, and qualifying. Notice what that means, though: the better rate existed all along. Our guarantee works without the negotiation: beating a competitor's better rate is standing policy for every client, in writing, from the first trade.
And you should keep doing so — for banking. But FX is one of the few products where tenure earns you nothing automatically: the posted margin applies to a twenty-year client the same as a walk-in. Loyalty deserves better than that, which is exactly why a five-minute outside quote is worth it.
Size helps, but repetition matters more. Our online minimum is $1,500 (flexible; none in-store in Windsor), and it's the recurring exchanges — the monthly cross-border payment, the yearly trip fund, the quarterly supplier invoice — where a better rate quietly compounds into real money.
Every trade is confirmed with a written contract on our letterhead before funds move. Your money sits in a segregated client account at a major Canadian financial institution — separate from our operations — and we're regulated by FINTRAC, a Government of Canada agency, with over $1 billion in completed transactions behind us. And there's always a person picking up at 1-844-915-5151.
You risk five minutes. The margin risks losing you.
Open a free account — no fees, no commitment, immediate access to live rates.
Take our live quote online or from a specialist at 1-844-915-5151, and hold it against BMO's number. No obligation either way.
If our rate is better — and it usually is — lock it, fund the trade, and receive converted funds in your account, typically within one business day.
Verified Google reviews from CanAm clients.
"We recently moved back home to Canada from the U.S. and needed to move some U.S. currency. The rates offered were favourable compared to the big banks. From setting up an account, to transferring and receiving funds, the process was simple."
Verified client Google review"Great online portal and customer support. Haven't had an issue in 2.5 years!"
Verified client Google review"Karl was really kind and he gave us a great rate. He was great with communicating and he was very friendly. Really enjoyed my experience and will be back!"
Verified client Google reviewBMO's rates are in line with the other big Canadian banks, which typically build around 2–3.5% into retail exchange rates. "Good" is relative — the only way to know is to put a second quote next to it. Our rates are up to 3% better than the banks', with no transaction fees, and a second quote is free.
Sometimes banks improve pricing for large amounts or premium clients, but retail posted rates are generally not negotiable, and any improvement usually requires asking, escalating, and qualifying. Our Exchange Rate Guarantee works the opposite way — beating a competitor's better rate is the standing policy for every client.
Loyalty rarely changes retail FX pricing on its own. Exchange rates are one of the few banking products where tenure doesn't automatically earn a discount — which is why comparing an outside quote matters no matter how long you've banked somewhere.
No. Our online minimum is $1,500, with flexibility, and there's no minimum in-store in Windsor. Savings grow with size, but recurring smaller exchanges — a monthly cross-border payment, an annual trip fund — add up to significant amounts over a year.
Every trade is confirmed in writing with a contract on our letterhead before funds move, your money sits in a segregated account at a major Canadian financial institution, and we're regulated by FINTRAC, a Government of Canada agency. A specialist is reachable at 1-844-915-5151 throughout.
No. Your BMO accounts stay exactly as they are. We only handle the conversion — converted funds are delivered straight to whichever account you choose, BMO included, typically within one business day. Registering takes under five minutes.
Five minutes to register, one live rate next to BMO's, and you'll know — with your own numbers — whether the switch is worth it. We think it will be, and we've put that in writing.
Sign up today to receive the best rates in Canada.
Please feel free to contact us for additional information.