Local Banks In My Area...

Most banks require you to have an account when exchanging currency as it is reserved for their customers.

if you don't have any type of account with the bank you are consider non-customer. Exchanging coins is a service they provide. They are not required to take your coin. They might make exceptions depending which bank you go but it doesn't mean that they have to do it. As far as foreign currency most banks require you to have an account in order to make an exchange.

Each bank/credit union have their own rules. Most say you need an account. It costs them to take in and sell you coins and currency,so why wouldn't they charge a non member? After all,they are in business to "make" money.
John1

I don't ever get rolls of coins but over heard a bank teller talking to a customer and told them they only provide coins to business customers that need them for change. Every bank is different. Banks have to pay for delivery of their coins.

A few rolls here and there is different from boxes at a time. As head teller, if someone comes in and asks for a couple rolls of this or a few rolls of that, I will always oblige, customer or not.

If you are cashing in rolls, I will direct you to our coin machine. Where you'll pay a 9% fee if you have no account. Under most circumstances we do not accept rolled coin due to having the machine. $20 in loose coin would have to go through the machine and fees charged where appropriate. We are a busy location and manually counting quantities of small chance is time consuming.

Roger, I'm going to be blunt.

There are a lot of "entitled" coin roll hunters that think that banks should give them coin for free, or exchange coin, or order large amounts. A bank is NOT a coin store. Banks are not required to do those things for non-customers, and sometimes depending on the level of customer. For example, some banks won't order coin unless you have a business account.

Coin does cost a bank money; even if it's a weekly pickup/dropoff regardless of amount, it is still a cost. Banks would be much happier without having to exchange and store large amounts of coin.

What really matters is the relationship. If you know the people, are respectful of their limitations (ie small vault), and build a relationship, you will go farther.

I have banks that will not sell to me without a business account at one branch, and will give me 8 boxes without batting an eye at another. It all depends on who works there and what your relationship is. If another entitled coin roll hunter has messed that branch up by being a jerk, they may not be inclined to help you.

The big question is: do you want to be "right", or do you want to get what you want?

Don't be an entitled roll hunter. The banks don't have to provide a service; find the ones that are willing to, because not all are. Open an account or two if you have to. You have to work within the system; you can't make the system change because you want it to.

To me roll hunting bank rolls is a privilege. I'm certain that this opportunity can be taken away overnight if it's abused by being rude or by going overboard in frequency. I try to visit a willing branch no more than one per month and spend a little time talking to the staff. Remembering the staff's names and thanking them profusely is the least I can do. As Debra mentioned, it helps to have several accounts including a business account. But, respect is absolutely key.