Exchange currency in downtown Chicago (Madison, Ohio: loans, pricing, floor)

[ncsercs]

Hi,

I'm a Fifth Third Bank customer and I have 60 Polish Zloty to convert to USD.

Work around Michigan and Wacker and would like to know of a bank where I can do this without being charged an atrocious fee.

Thanks!

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by ncsercs

Hi,

I'm a Fifth Third Bank customer and I have 60 Polish Zloty to convert to USD.

Work around Michigan and Wacker and would like to know of a bank where I can do this without being charged an atrocious fee.

Thanks!

Try fifth third.

[emathias]

Generally your own bank will give you better terms than any other bank.

The only other two places even worth calling for pricing is the American Express office on Michigan Avenue, and World's Money Exchange in the building the north entrance to the Clark/Lake "L" stop is in (203 N Lasalle is the address).

No place will do it without an "attrocious fee," however. Expect to lose 3-5% of it - slightly more if you have only a small amount, slightly less if you're talking thousands of dollars worth.

[chet everett]

I would be reluctant to endorse any commercial bank for exchanging a small amount of foreign currency /coin. While they "sell" foreign currency at a fair exchange (I suppose so customers going overseas have a little cash for helping out who ever meets them abroad...) they stick you with horrendous fees when you bring the stuff back.

I have had better luck at ethnic shops where they probably know somebody going back every week.

Another decent source of fair exchange is the AmEx Travel Services place on Ohio at 605 N Michigan Ave. They are not going to be jazzed about taking 60 zlotys (which I think is abut $15...) but if you have an AmEx card they'll probably do it...

[paytonc]

I used to bank with Chase, and the foreign-currency desk at the Clark & Madison branch would happily deposit my leftover currency into my account. The rates weren't the best in the world, but unlike anyone else they didn't take the flat commission off the top.

[quigboto]

Wait, you mean to tell me that these blinky neon places called "Currency Exchange" on every corner in Chicago don't actually exchange currency? I feel like I've been lied to all these years!

[Manigault]

There's an exchange joint on the second floor of the building on Lake between LaSalle and Clark at about 200 N. Clark. You know. above Midtown's, the building where the Clark/Lake blue line stop is. On the mezzanine there's a guy I use. That's where I got my Singapore dollars.

[jlawrence01]

60 Zloty = $18 ...

There will probably be a $10-15 charge.

[Golden Camel]

Originally Posted by quigboto

Wait, you mean to tell me that these blinky neon places called "Currency Exchange" on every corner in Chicago don't actually exchange currency? I feel like I've been lied to all these years!

Yup. And there are these small motorized carts that roam the corridors of O'Hare Airport that have "Currency Exchange" signs and don't cash checks or make payday loans. Very confusing.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

60 Zloty = $18 ...

There will probably be a $10-15 charge.

Good point.