01 — Overview
Foreign Currency Home Delivery: A Growth Opportunity for U.S. Banks & Credit Unions
Foreign currency (FX) banknotes remain a critical part of international travel—even in an era dominated by cards and digital wallets. Travelers still need cash for tipping, small purchases, and contingencies, and many prefer to secure currency before departure for convenience and peace of mind. Independent research from Ipsos confirms ongoing demand and quantifies why and how consumers obtain foreign cash.
Top reasons travelers purchase foreign exchange
- 40%I know I will need cash at my destination
- 38%To save time
- 38%Prefer cash for small transactions / tipping
- 34%More convenient to exchange currency at home
- 31%To use only in emergency situations
Ipsos confirms that over 80% of U.S. international travelers, for both business and leisure, always or sometimes purchase foreign currency, and having it securely delivered to their door is preferred (37%)—ideally by their home bank.
Would definitely or probably use Home Delivery if offered by their bank
More likely to buy FX banknotes from their bank
More satisfied with their bank
For banks and credit unions, this shift presents a timely opportunity to modernize a traditionally branch-bound service, enhance customer satisfaction, unlock new fee revenue, and reduce operational friction. CXI's secure, insured, and trackable home delivery solutions help institutions better meet the FX needs of their consumers.
Orders can be placed via:
- Your branches
- A white-labeled e-commerce site
- A centralized call-center
02 — Market
Banknotes In a Digital-First Era
Despite improvements in card acceptance, international travel still contains many "cash moments." Per the independent Ipsos study, foreign currency purchasing is common across both leisure and business travel.
Why travelers buy
Travelers cite convenience, time-savings, and the preference to have cash in hand as key reasons, with security and rate clarity at home also noted. Among those who don't buy currency in advance, reliance on cards or withdrawing at destination dominates their rationale.
When travelers buy
Most purchase currency within a month of departure, often in the final two weeks or days before leaving—making speed, next-day fulfillment, and reliable shipment windows highly relevant.
Where travelers buy
Banks remain the most-used channel for exchange overall, followed by specialized exchange providers. For pickup, the customer's current bank is the top location preference—a valuable signal that bank branding substantially lowers friction and strengthens trust.
Factors influencing the amount exchanged
03 — Demand
What Consumers Want
1. Consumers want home delivery
If they can't get home delivery, then bank branch pickup is the next-best thing.
Preferred method for receiving purchased foreign currency
- 37%Having foreign currency delivered to your home
- 32%Purchasing and picking up foreign currency in person
- 31%Withdrawing from ATM or currency exchange location at destination
2. Consumers want to order from their home bank
Home-bank branding lifts every meaningful metric vs. an unbranded concept.
| Metric | Unbranded | Bank Branded |
|---|---|---|
| Seek information (definitely / probably would) | 79% | 81% |
| Committed usage intent (definitely would) | 40% | 44% |
| Broad usage intent | 75% | 79% |
| Usage vs. another method | 72% | 79% |
| Increase int'l paper currency purchase | 77% | 77% |
3. Consumers would transact more if their bank offered FX home delivery
Increase satisfaction toward primary bank
Increase usage of primary bank for foreign currency exchange
Increase usage of primary bank for all other transaction types
04 — Solutions
CXI FX Home Delivery Solutions
CXI offers FIs three options for deploying FX home delivery:
CXI Platform
Adopt CXI's white-labeled in-branch and call-center solution using our web-based platform for managing all FX banknote orders. Consumers give the order to your staff, who submits it to CXI.
- Live in weeks, not months — minimal internal IT lift
- Nationwide reach with ID-verified, insured shipping via FedEx & UPS
- Home delivery, order tracking, and compliance built in as standard
E-commerce Microsite
A white-labeled CXI-hosted microsite with a complete e-commerce experience for ordering FX online — orders may be for branch pick-up or home delivery, from existing or new customers (via card payments).
- Omnichannel continuity: easy to promote in mobile banking, email, and in-branch signage
- Optional integrations and touchpoints can be added
Realize Full Automation
CXI works with the FI's team to automate the posting of FX orders to the bank's core system, eliminating manual debits and credits when fulfilling an order.
- Removes the operational burden on branch and back-office teams
- Straight-through processing for faster, cleaner reconciliation
05 — Trust
Security, Compliance & Streamlined Operations
Security and trust are existential to home delivery, and the Ipsos data show they are the top reason for hesitation among non-adopters. A well-designed program addresses this end-to-end:
Secure Shipment
- Tamper-evident packaging
- Insured, trackable Tier-1 carrier delivery
- Identity & signature verification on receipt
- End-to-end chain-of-custody discipline
BSA / AML — Compliance by Design
- Customer identification
- Sanctions screening
- Reporting thresholds
- Embedded directly in CXI workflows
Simplified Branch Ops
- CXI handles inventory, fulfillment, and shipping
- Avoid branch cash-handling complexity
- No need to stock multiple denominations
- Reduce teller time per transaction
06 — Proof
Why CXI
CXI brings the infrastructure, regulatory posture, and logistics orchestration to make FX home delivery work at scale.
Top-20 U.S. Bank, North Carolina
Following the 2023 launch of CXI's FX home delivery service, complemented by the optional e-commerce ordering portal, our bank client experienced strong, sustained growth in its banknote business.
Transactions, 2024 YoY
USD value, 2024 YoY
Transactions, 2025 YoY
USD value, 2025 YoY
This consistent performance underscores the compelling value proposition of delivering FX banknotes through digital channels — combining the ease of online ordering with the convenience and security of home delivery.
Why financial institutions choose CXI
Learn More
Ready to modernize your foreign currency program?
Talk with a CXI specialist about deploying FX home delivery for your institution.
Source: Ipsos (2025). CXI OFX Home Delivery Concept Test — Full Report. Conducted Aug 25–31, 2025 (n=1,000 U.S. adults who have traveled internationally).