Better rates for the people who show up for us
Paramedics, firefighters, law enforcement, 911 dispatchers, nurses, ER doctors and teachers: you give our community more than anyone could ever pay back.
So when you exchange currency at FonderX, you get a better rate than our already-competitive board. Show your work ID once, and it's yours on every visit after that.
Our Commitment to the Front Line
FonderX is an independent, locally owned currency exchange in New Westminster. Our community relies every day on the people who answer the call: at three in the morning, on long weekends, and on the holidays when everyone else is at home. They rarely hear the words "thank you".
The Frontline Heroes Rate is our way of saying it properly. Not with a one-day promotion or a coupon that expires, but with a better rate every time you walk through our door.
When you finally get that week off, whether it's a trip back home to see family or the holiday you've been promising yourself, more of your money should end up in your pocket. That's the whole idea.
Who Qualifies
If you currently work in one of these roles and can show a valid work ID, the Heroes Rate is yours.
Paramedics & EMS
The first face people see on the worst day of their life. Long shifts, late calls and no guarantee of a meal break. You look after everyone else, so let us look after your travel money.
Firefighters
Structure fires, wildfire season, rescues and medical calls. You're the ones heading in when everyone else is heading out, and that deserves more than a thank-you card.
Law Enforcement
The officers who keep our streets, courts and communities safe, day and night, in every kind of weather. Whatever your badge says, if you serve in law enforcement, you qualify.
911 Dispatchers
The calm voice on the other end of the line. You're the first responder nobody sees, holding it together through someone's worst minutes and sending help on its way.
Nurses
Twelve-hour shifts, short staffing and still the kindest person in the room. From the ward to the ER to home care, nurses keep our hospitals running.
ER Doctors
The emergency department never closes, and neither do you. When the ambulance doors open, you're the team that takes it from there.
Teachers
You shape the next generation every single day, often with your own money and on your own time. Planning a trip over the summer or spring break? You've earned a better rate.
Not sure if you qualify?
Work alongside these teams in a role that isn't listed? Give us a call or ask at the counter. We'll always hear you out.
+1 (778) 759-0400How It Works
Three steps, one visit. After that, it just happens.
Bring your work ID
Visit us at the counter with your current work ID or badge. We check it once and note it on your customer file. That's it.
Your Heroes Rate switches on
From then on, our system knows you're a Frontline Hero. Every time you exchange with us, the Heroes Rate is applied automatically. No codes to remember, no need to ask, no awkward conversation.
See what you saved
Your receipt shows the Heroes Rate you received and exactly how much you saved compared to our regular board. Nothing hidden, nothing in the fine print.
What to Expect at the Counter
Your Heroes Rate is given in person, at today's market. Currency prices change through the day, and the notes we have on hand change too. Here's how it works on each currency, so there are no surprises.
Better than our own board
On the currencies we have in the drawer where there's room to do better, you get a rate better than the one on our board. Our board is already set to match or beat other exchanges nearby, so this is on top of that.
Our best posted rate
Some currencies are already priced as sharp as we can go. On those, you get our board rate, which is still one of the most competitive in the Lower Mainland. You're never charged more than anyone else.
We'll order it in for you
Heading somewhere less common? If we don't have the currency on hand, we'll order it. Special orders are priced at the market on the day we order, plus what our supplier charges us, and you get a firm quote before you commit. If there's room, your Heroes Rate is included.
Why not every currency gets a Heroes Rate
Every banknote in our drawer has a cost. When you buy a currency from us, our price depends on what it cost us to bring those notes in, whether we bought them from another customer or had them shipped to Canada by a wholesale supplier. When you sell a currency to us, our price depends on what we can resell it for.
Some currencies we bring in at a good cost and trade often, so there's room to give you a better rate. Others cost more to bring in, move slowly, or are already priced as sharp as we can go. On those, lowering the price further would mean selling below our cost, so you get our board rate instead, which is still one of the most competitive around.
It can also change from week to week. The same currency can have a Heroes Rate one week and not the next as the market moves and as we restock at a different cost. That's why we give the Heroes Rate at the counter, on the day.
What it depends on
Our buy cost
What we paid for the notes we have on hand today.
Our sell price
What we can resell a currency for once you've sold it to us.
The market
Today's exchange rate, which moves throughout the day.
Supply and demand
How often we trade that currency and how easy it is to restock.
Questions Heroes Ask
Why don't you post the Heroes Rates online?
Heroes Rates are personal to you and they move with the currency market during the day. A number posted on a website is out of date within hours. We'd rather give you the real rate at the counter. If you'd like to know before you come in, give us a call and we'll tell you today's rate over the phone.
Why isn't there a Heroes Rate on every currency?
It depends on what each currency cost us to bring in and what we can sell it for. Where our cost leaves room, you get a better rate automatically. Where it doesn't, giving more would mean selling below cost, so you get our board rate, which is already one of the best around. This can change as the market moves and as we restock.
Is the Heroes Rate better than other exchanges?
The Heroes Rate is always at or better than our own board, and our board is set to match or beat local exchanges. If you've seen a better rate somewhere else, tell us at the counter and we'll take a look.
Is there a limit?
The Heroes Rate is built for everyday amounts: a family trip, a visit home, spending money for a holiday. It covers up to CAD 3,000 a day. Exchanging more for a big move or a long trip? Talk to us and we'll put together a quote.
Do I need to bring my ID every time?
No. Once is enough. We note it on your customer file and you're set for every visit after that. We may ask again from time to time, or if your job changes.
I'm retired or a volunteer. Do I qualify?
The program is for people currently working in one of the roles on this page. Retired or volunteer? Come and talk to us anyway. We'd love to hear your story.
Can I use it for buying and selling?
Yes. The Heroes Rate works both ways: when you buy foreign currency before a trip, and when you sell your leftover cash back to us when you get home.
Can I send a family member in with my rate?
The Heroes Rate is for you, in person, as the qualifying customer. Bring them along and exchange together.
Come see your rate
Bring your work ID and we'll set you up in a minute. We're at Unit 2 – 723 12th Street in New Westminster, open Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 6 PM.
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