KnightsbridgeFX & BMO exchange rate & currency conversion
How to find the best exchange rates in Canada
Far too many people are losing money on foreign exchange by picking the wrong service. The culprit, in most cases, is a mix of misinformation and convenience. This quick guide will shed light on a better, much cheaper, and more convenient way of exchanging currency. Carry on reading, because this information will literally save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
Exchange rates and currency conversion
BMO Services
All Canadian banks, including BMO Bank, can help you convert currency from the Canadian dollar to another currency. However, the important thing you truly want to consider is the exchange rate that the banks offer. BMO provides a wide variety of currencies, and you can also get cash currency from the bank branch and obtain funds electronically. Especially if you bank with BMO, it is convenient for you to use them to exchange currency.
And although traditional banking institutions have historically been the go-to spot for foreign exchange purposes, newly emerging online financial technologies are able to give better rates by focusing solely in FX services. The reality is that big banks have a ton of overhead and brick-and-mortar costs to make up for, so they canโt always afford to give you the best deal. Professional digital currency conversion services that specialize entirely in foreign exchange, such as KnightsbridgeFX, can ensure you get the best rates and quality customer service on your currency conversion. The ultimate goal at KBFX is to help you keep more money in your wallet.
Compare BMO Exchange Rates with Other Banks
The difference between the BMO exchange rate, in regards to buying and selling the same currency, can be wide ranging and from 2% and up to 5% or more. You must look at the website above to see their rates or you can call them. However, you may want to compare BMOโs exchange rate with other Canadian banks.
All Canadian banks, including BMO, include a markup, hidden within the exchange rate that you see. This markup can vary in percentage and helps to pay for the costs of providing the service including the customer service representatives, rent, marketing, transfer costs, and much more. However, since most Canadians exchange currency with the bank that they have a bank account with, the banks use this as a profit center and want to make profit on currency exchange. As a result, foreign exchange companies such as KnightsbridgeFX, can often offer better exchange rates than the bank by providing a better exchange rate and taking a lesser margin.
- Bank Exchange Rates
- Markup %
- Fixed Source
- Potential Savings on Exchanging $10,000 with KBFX vs banks
-
- Knightsbridge FXKBFX
- 0.8%
- KnightsbridgeFX Exchange Rates
- -
-
- BMO - Bank of Montreal
- 2.65%
- BMO Exchange Rates
- $235
-
- CIBC - CIBC Bank
- 3.34%
- CIBC Foreign Exchange Rates
- $304
-
- TD - Toronto Dominion Bank
- 2.64%
- TD Bank Exchange Rates
- $234
-
- RBC - Royal Bank of Canada
- 2.60%
- RBC Exchange Rates
- $230
-
- Scotia - Scotia Bank
- 2.88%
- Scotia Bank Foreign Exchange Rates
- $258
-
- HSBC - HSBC Bank
- 2.10%
- HSBC Foreign Exchange Rates
- $180
-
- Desjardins
- 2.49%
- Desjardins Foreign Exchange Rates
- $219
-
- PayPal
- 2.50%
- PayPal Exchange Rates
- $220
Use our savings calculator to see how much you can save on your next transaction
Take advantage of the best exchange rates when buying US real estate, moving to another country, sending money to family, and paying foreign tuition.
Free same-day transfers, no hidden fees and professional service.
Check how much
youโll save from now on
Interbank exchange rate
Small fee will be applied.
CAD 265 saved!
Your savings when exchanging 10,000 CAD with us instead of your bank.
We are verifying the documents you uploaded. Once completed, we will let you know via email & SMS that you can already book a transaction.
Before you book transactions, we must verify your account. Please submit missing information.
Finding the Best Exchange Rate
Banking in Canada has never been easier. When you sign up for a business or personal credit card and/or bank account in Canada, make sure you find the right fit. BMO makes online banking easy (download the BMO mobile app for an even more seamless experience โ using BMO online is a great way to save time) and they do offer competitive exchange rates. If you are unsure who provides the best rate, make sure to use our foreign exchange currency converter. Make sure to check often as these rates are subject to change.
Whether youโre trading CAD to (or from) USD, GBP, EUR, XOF, XCD, or any other currency, use aย currency converterย to make sure youโre getting a fairย exchange rateย for your money when trading currencies. While the US dollar tends to rise and fall in tandem with theย Canadian dollar, other currencies tend to have more variability in relation to the CAD-based on several economic indicators. Also, make sure to compare the fee a bank is charging relative to its competitors. The currency exchange also varies from different regions, especially inย Yukon, which has the smallest population for a territory in Canada.
BMO Bank of Montreal Exchange Rate Overview
The Bank of Montreal (BMO) offers foreign exchange services for over 50 tradable currencies and exotics, including over 100 currency pairs. BMO holds a dominant position in the Canadian dollar FX market. For businesses, they also offer risk management solutions including derivatives, swaps, and options.
You can easily find your closest BMO branch using their online branch locator. You can contact BMO about their exchange rates and other exchange services at 1-877-225-5266. This is a very convenient option if you are looking for a small-sized amount of foreign currency for travelling.
Alternatives to BMOโs Foreign Exchange Services
There are several alternatives toย BMOย available to you when evaluating where you should conduct your foreign exchange transactions. All of the five major Canadian banks (BMO,ย CIBC,ย RBC,ย Scotiabank,ย TD) offer foreign exchange services. You can access the resources at the bottom of this page to compare BMOโs exchange rates with that of the other big banks, as well as most major credit unions. If you are looking to exchange cash, make sure you compare BMOโs foreign exchange rates with those of competitors to ensure you get the best exchange rate.
If you are looking to do a currency transaction for a large amount ($5000+), you should shop around in order to ensure you get the bestย foreign exchangeย rate.
By choosing to useย KnightsbridgeFX instead of the big Canadian banks, you will be saving tons of money on large currency transactions. We guarantee a better rate than the bankโs on a margin of at least 1-2%.
Compare bank fees
Historically, wire transfers have been offered by large financial institutions to send out money overseas. In most cases, to formulate a wire transfer (which safely transfers your funds internationally) you need to go inside a local branch to set it up with a representative. Some banks will offer you relatively cheaper wire transfers if you do it online (such as HSBC and RBC). Other banks (National Bank) will give you a wire transfer discount if you transfer locally to the US. The truth is, with most major financial institutions even if you get a discount the cost is never zero.
KnightsbridgeFX guarantees to give you a no-strings-attached free wire transfer anywhere in Canada, the US, and parts of Europe.
Importance of FX Comparison
If you are interested in comparing exchange rates,ย you can use a non-bank provider to exchange currency and compare rates.ย Savings compared to Canadian bank exchange rates can be up to 2.5% and on large sums of money, this can add up.
Compare the exchange rates below to the BMO exchange rates and other bank exchange rates and you will get an idea of the margin.
Here you will find the mid-market foreign exchange rate for many popular currencies. Useย KnightsbridgeFXโsย comparison chart to evaluate the foreign exchange rates offered by other financial institutions against BMO foreign exchange rates to ensure you are getting the best rate possible!
US Dollar and Canadian Dollar Exchange Rates
More on BMO
The Bank of Montreal (BMO) was established in 1817. BMO provides a wide range of services, including retail banking, wealth management, and investment banking products to over 12 million customers. In the United States, clients are served by BMO Harris Bank, and BMO Private Bank. BMO Capital Markets services North American investment and corporate banking.
BMO posts theirย foreign exchange rates online.ย Remember that not all currencies are available at all branches, and that currency exchange rates are subject to change.
Compare Other BMO Products
The Bank of Montreal offers a full complement of financial services, includingย bank accounts,ย credit cards,ย mortgages,ย loans,ย investments,ย financial planning, andย travel services.
BMOโs product breadth is among the most comprehensive in the globe. Compare your current provider for the aforementioned financial services to BMOโs offerings to ensure your financial needs are being met in the best possible way.
Our Recommendations on Foreign Exchange Services
We strongly advise that you side withย KnightsbridgeFXย to take advantage of beneficial conversion opportunities (that will save you money!).
Individuals are used to seeing unfair deals and rates, but you no longer have to accept them. When you choose Knightsbridge youโre effectively saying no to unnecessary fees and unfavorable rates.
Knightsbridge trades your money in a quick, efficient, and low cost manner. Save hundreds of dollars with KFX today.
Call in now to speak with one of our representatives, and immediately receive an up-to-date quote on popular currency pairings!ย Toll-Free: 1-877-355-5239.
Exchange rate bank markups explained
Every big Canadian bank - including BMO - introduces aย rate markupย embedded within their offered rate. This markup varies from bank to bank, and it ultimatelyย represents paying for the bankโs service costs. These include customerย representative salaries, building rent, marketing fees, unavoidable transfer charges, as well as other miscellaneous costs. Every single one of these expenses gets added to the currency exchange rate. For example, BMOโs currency exchange service has a markup ofย 3.34%.
Up to 5x lowered fees
Compare that with KnightsbridgeFXโs markup of onlyย 0.8%. How can we afford such lower margins? Itโs simple. Unlike banks, we operate under an extremely well-optimized budget. We donโt have million-dollar branding budgets, marketing fees, and online banking apps in development that need to be paid for. All we care about is offering youย the best rates in Canada.
Granted, if youโre only looking to exchange small amounts, you may not feel the difference. But if youโre looking to buy a property in the US, for example, you stand toย save thousands! We even offer you the privilege toย negotiate the exchange rate yourself - if you have a more considerable amount you wish to convert.
BMO exchange rate markup compared to other banks
When evaluating where you should conduct your foreign exchange transactions, there should be multiple options alongside RBC. For example, practically each of the โbig 5โ Canadian banks (BMO,ย CIBC,ย RBC,ย Scotiabank,ย TD) provides FX features.
Now that youโve gotten a better idea about what thoseย hidden bank exchange feesย represent, itโs time you saw how muchย money you can save by getting rid of them. Weโve put together a comparison table that highlights how much you stand to save when exchanging $10,000 USD at KnightsbridgeFX instead of any other major bank in Canada.
- Bank Exchange Rates
- Markup %
- Fixed Source
- Potential Savings on Exchanging $10,000 with KBFX vs banks
-
- Knightsbridge FXKBFX
- 0.8%
- KnightsbridgeFX Exchange Rates
- -
-
- BMO - Bank of Montreal
- 2.65%
- BMO Exchange Rates
- $235
-
- CIBC - CIBC Bank
- 3.34%
- CIBC Foreign Exchange Rates
- $304
-
- RBC - Royal Bank of Canada
- 2.60%
- RBC Exchange Rates
- $230
-
- TD - Toronto Dominion Bank
- 2.64%
- TD Bank Exchange Rates
- $234
-
- Scotia - Scotia Bank
- 2.88%
- Scotia Bank Foreign Exchange Rates
- $258
-
- HSBC - HSBC Bank
- 2.10%
- HSBC Foreign Exchange Rates
- $180
-
- Desjardins
- 2.49%
- Desjardins Foreign Exchange Rates
- $219
-
- PayPal
- 2.50%
- PayPal Exchange Rates
- $220
Our 130,000+ clients would never go back to dealing with a bank
As a snowbird wintering down South, I obviously pay close attention to exchange rates. The entire process is very, very easy, and on top of that, their customer service is exceptional.
Mike K, Snowbird & Property Buyer
KnightsbridgeFX has been a game changer for us. As a Canadian company that bills in USD but operates in CAD otherwise, we needed a really easy way to convert currencies at a great rate.ย KnightsbridgeFX has been perfect – super easy to set up a trade and phenomenal rates We’re saving thousands a year!
Andrew Cross – CEO at GooseChase
How to find the best exchange rate
Findingย the best exchange rate in Canadaย or the best place to buy US dollars can be easier than you can imagine. Just use ourย foreign exchange currency converter tool. Everything is as simple as opening the page and adding the amount you want to exchange. After that, weโll send you an email containing a detailed overview of the exchange rates offered by Canadaโs top banks, as well as the one we can provide you with.
Regardless of the currency youโre trading the Canadian dollar to/from (USD, GBP, EUR, XOF, XCD, or virtually any currency) we highly advise you to use a currency converter to make sure youโre getting aย high-quality exchange rate for your dollars.
Weโre here to help
While the US dollar effectively rises and falls with the Canadian dollar, other currencies have a more variable relationship with the CAD. That rapport is predicated on economic indicators. For this reason, itโs crucial to compare the fee a bank is asking for relative to the market competition.
If youโre still unsure about the value of the exchange rate youโre getting, KnightsbridgeFX also offers free financial counseling for your currency exchange needs. You can get in touch with one of our representatives by calling our toll-free number: 1-877-355-5239.
Wire transfer cost comparison
If youโre someone whoโs regularly sending money abroad, youโre probably familiar with wire transfer fees. The cost of the wire transfer adds up alongside the banksโ exchange rate markup. Some providers, such as the National Bank, will give you a wire transfer deal if you specifically transfer money to the United States. Others like HSBC and RBC will give you discounts if you do the wire transfers online. But even with these so-called โadvantagesโ, the truth is the price is never zero when youโre relying on banks.
At KnightsbridgeFX we take a more professional approach and guarantee you a no-strings-attached free wire transfer anywhere in Canada, the US, and even some parts of Europe. For further references on the wire transfer fees practiced by banks, check out our detailed table below.
- Financial
Institution - Tier-Based Fees
- Fixed Charge
- Var. Charge
- Min. Fee / Max. Fee
- Free?
-
- Knightsbridge FXKBFX
- No
- -
- -
- -
- YES
-
- BMO
- No
- $10
- 0.20%
- -
- NO
-
- CIBC
- YES
- $30 - $80
- -
- $30 - $80
- NO
-
- HSBC
- Yes
- $40 - $90
- -
- -
- NO
-
- RBC
- No
- $13.50 - $20
- -
- -
- NO
-
- Scotiabank
- Yes
- -
- 0.15%
- -
- NO
-
- National Bank
- No
- $15 - $20
- 0.34%
- -
- NO
About KnightsbridgeFX
-
KnightsbridgeFX is the leading online currency exchange service in Canada. For the past 11 years, we have helped over 130,000 happy customers exchange $9,5 Billion and saved them millions in hidden exchange fees. Even though weโre not a bank, weโre registered and regulated by FINTRAC and have set aside $1,000,000 for consumer protection
-
Our mission is to give people a better and cheaper alternative to traditional, bank-reliant money exchanging services. We work around the clock to offer you nothing short of the very best rates on the market.
-
Your fundsโ safety is of utmost importance to us, so weโve invested massively in having the best security experts and state-of-the-art technology to ensure your transfers are completed swiftly to your complete satisfaction.
How we beat your bank rates. Every time.
-
Large transaction power
Our large transactional volume allows us to obtain purchasing power from the banks โ we buy in bulk and pass on the great exchange rates to you, along with free wire transfers. -
Simple and transparent infrastructure
Banks have a very complex infrastructure which requires that they charge hidden fees to cover their costs, another reason KnightsbridgeFX is able to offer competitive rates.
-
Rates personalized for you
The rates we offer to our clients changed based on the amount you want to exchange. We guarantee to offer the best exchange rates (that will beat your financial institution).
Our recommendations on
Foreign Exchange Services
After seeing what the market offers (unnecessarily high margins), weโve decided that individuals need a better alternative. People deserve more than to see their hard-earned money being flushed down the drain. So, if youโre looking for the best exchange rate in Canada, if youโre tired of hidden fees and wire transfer charges, we highly recommend you side with us for your foreign exchange needs.
Through the leveraging of online money transferring platforms, we can trade your money in a fast, efficient, and affordable manner. Each time you exchange big sums of money with us, you stand to save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
Call in today to get a free, no-obligation exchange quote from one of our representatives:
Toll-free:ย 1-877-355-5239
BMO Foreign Exchange FAQs โ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to open an account with BMO to exchange currency?
In short, yes. If you do not have a BMO banking account registered under your name, you wonโt be eligible for their foreign exchange services. The bank does not offer โone and doneโ conversions to non-clients.
How much does BMO charge for currency exchange?
Assuming youโve registered for a BMO banking account, all currency transactions that take place within that account are subject to the โMastercard Internationalโ regular rate plus a 2.5% BMO conversion charge.
How does foreign exchange work at BMO?
As long as you are converting with dollars, any transactions you make will be subject to one fee. However, if youโre not converting with USD/CAD, youโd have to convert your currency to USD first and afterwards convert again into your desired currency. In other words, if youโre not holding USD you would need to pay all BMO-related conversion charges twice.
Can you open a USD savings account with BMO?
Yes. BMO offers clients the option to open a savings account that is denominated in US dollars. This account does not have any minimum balance requirements or monthly dues, but the interest rate associated with it is fairly low (0.05%).
What are the fees for BMO foreign currency accounts?
BMO offers five different types of accounts designed for FX, each one appealing to a different type of client (with a different budget). A higher monthly price point is typically associated with better features and support.
Performance โ $15.95/month
Premium โ $30/month
Plus โ $10.95/month
Airmiles โ $15.95/month
Practical โ $4/month
