If you are a business that regularly makes international payments to global suppliers, choosing an international bank that offers free or low-cost worldwide transfer fees, speedy processing, and multiple currencies is vital. The availability of digital banking is also a critical factor in making cross-border payments faster and more affordable. These create a competitive advantage for companies intent on expanding their markets globally.
Here, I’ve reviewed the 9 best banks for international business.
- Best overall bank for international business: Bluevine
(high APY and reduced fees from higher-tier accounts) - Best for low transparent fees and speedy fund access: Novo
- Best for free USD international wires: Mercury
- Best for full-suite banking products and premium checking: Chase
- Best for multi-member teams needing more accounts and debit cards: Relay
- Best for flat fee rate for non-USD transfers: Rho
- Best overall bank for international business: Bank of America
- Best for fast transfers and conversion fee savings: Airwallex
- Best for multi-currency accounts and plan options: Revolut
- Best for cost-effective international payments: Wise
Best international banks for business comparison
Below is a summary of the top features I considered for the 9 financial providers. Here is our list of the best banks for international business.
| Our rating (out of 5) | Charges monthly fees | Offers annual percentage yield (APY) | Number of countries & currencies | Available payment methods | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluevine Standard | 4.23 | No | Yes | Countries: 32 Currencies: 15 |
ACH, wire transfers, international payments, checks, and debit cards |
| Novo Business Checking | 4.20 | No | No | Countries: 150-plus Currencies: 50 |
Online ACH, digital wallets, international transfers via Wise, and Stripe |
| Mercury Business Checking | 4.17 | No | No | Countries: 160-plus Currencies: 30-plus |
ACH transfers, wire transfers, digital wallets, checks, and Stripe |
| Chase Business Performance Banking | 4.07 | Yes | No | Countries: 140-plus Currencies: 40-plus |
Digital wallets, debit and credit cards, wire transfers, ACH transfers, and Zelle |
| Relay Business Checking | 4.07 | No | No | Countries: 200-plus Currencies: 32 |
ACH transfers, domestic and international wire transfers, and checks |
| Rho Business Checkingt | 4.04 | No | No | Countries: 200-plus Currencies: 32 |
ACH, domestic and international SWIFT wire transfers, FX transfers, and checks |
| Airwallex Global Account | 3.93 | No | No | Countries: 150-plus Currencies: 23-plus |
Credit cards, digital wallets, e-wallets, bank transfers, and direct debit |
| Wise Business Account | 3.92 | No | Yes, optional | Countries: 150-plus Currencies: 40-plus |
Bank transfers, debit and credit cards, ACH, international transfers, and digital wallets |
| Revolut Basic Business Account | 3.91 | No | No | Countries: 150-plus Currencies: 36 in-app |
Revolut payment gateway, international transfers, and debit and credit cards |
Bluevine: Best overall bank for international business
Our rating: 4.23 out of 5
Bluevine is a solid fintech company with three business checking options, a credit card with unlimited cash back, and an outstanding line of credit. On top of that, it offers fast international business payments with a turnaround of 24 hours
. Customers can send payments in 15 currencies to 32 countries, except for businesses based in Nevada or those categorized under finance, insurance, or mining.
Bluevine pricing is transparent for overseas payments. Under the standard account, you will be charged $25 for each USD payment, while a fee of $25 plus 1.5% of the payment in USD conversion will be charged for FX transactions. Subscribing to higher plans reduces the payment charges to $20 (Plus) and $12.50 (Premier).
Check out why I included Bluevine in our best online business bank accounts.
Why we chose it
I chose Bluevine as the overall best bank for international businesses because of its competitive interest rates. With an entry-level Bluevine Standard account, you can earn 1.5% AP
by either spending a minimum of $500 using your Bluevine debit or credit card or by receiving $2,500 in monthly payments in your checking account. As your balances grow, you can switch to premium accounts with more benefits, including a higher APY and reduced fees for sending international payments.
Monthly fees
- Bluevine Standard: $0
- Bluevine Plus: $30; waivable by having:
- An ADB of $20,000 across your Bluevine checking account, including subaccounts.
- A spend of $2,000 monthly using your Bluevine debit card or credit card.
- Bluevine Premier: $95; waivable by meeting:
- An ADB of $100,000 across your Bluevine checking account, including subaccounts.
- A spend of $5,000 monthly using your Bluevine debit card or credit card.
Features
- International payments to 32 countries in 15 currencies.
- Reduced wire transfer fees and same-day ACH fees for higher-tier accounts.
- FDIC insurance of up to $3 million.
- Unlimited transactions.
- QuickBooks, Xero, Expensify, and Wave integrations.
- Compatible with Wise, Venmo, CashApp, and Square.
- Lines of credit up to $250,000 at low rates.
- No annual fee and an unlimited 1.5% cash back credit card.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Three business checking options with high yield (1.5% to 3.7%). | Cash deposit fees. |
| Fee-free lowest-tier business checking account. | Charges $2.50 for non-network ATM use on top of operator surcharges. |
| FDIC insurance of up to $3 million. | No in-person banking services. |
Novo: Best for low transparent fees and speedy fund access
Our rating: 4.20 out of 5
The fintech Novo partners with Wise for global payments, allowing its customers to make cross-border payments in 50 currencies across more than 150 countries with low fees. To facilitate international transactions, you can open a fee-free Novo business checking account, which helps you save on monthly fees. Additionally, you can receive ATM fee refunds of up to $7 monthly when using your debit card locally or internationally.
Learn more about Novo’s features and fee structure by checking our Novo business checking review.
Why we chose it
Novo is one of the best banks for international business because of its integration with Wise, which helps save on international transfer costs. Wise provides a solid mid-market exchange rate that closely tracks the market during trading hours, leading to low conversion fees that benefit users. Under Novo Boost, you can access Stripe payments within hours and save up to $150 on the first $5,000 in revenue. Novo business checking accounts allow unlimited monthly transactions and cash deposits via money orders.
Monthly fee
- Novo Business Checking: $0.
Features
- Low-fee international payments through Wise partnership.
- QuickBooks, Stripe, Square, and PayPal integrations.
- Unlimited and free customized invoices through the Novo app.
- Free physical and virtual debit cards.
- Free ACH fees and incoming wire transfers.
- AI-powered expense categorization for Novo Bookkeeping.
- Up to $10,000 flexible and instant availability cash advances.
- 2% cash back and no annual fee credit card.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Up to $7 monthly third-party ATM fee refunds. | No interest earnings. |
| Fast Stripe payouts via Novo Boost. | No physical locations. |
| No opening deposit or monthly fee. | Cash cannot be deposited directly. |
Mercury: Best for free USD international wires
Our rating: 4.17 out of 5
Mercury is a fintech company well-suited for startups. It provides a business checking account with no monthly fees, initial deposit, or minimum balance requirements. It features unlimited transactions, FDIC insurance
of up to $5 million through partner banks’ sweep networks, and free domestic and international wire transfers. For more details, read our Mercury business checking review.
Why I chose it
I picked Mercury as one of the best business bank accounts for international payments and among the best banks for eCommerce businesses because it allows free USD international wires. However, Mercury charges a 1% currency exchange fee for non-USD international wire transfers. You can send and receive payments in over 30 currencies to more than 160 countries.
Monthly fees
- Mercury Business Checking: $0.
- Mercury Plus: $35.
- Mercury Pro: $350.
Features.
- Physical and virtual debit cards.
- Customized account access and 14 subaccounts.
- 1.5% cash back on all credit card spend.
- Vendor payments via wires, ACH, and checks.
- QuickBooks and Xero integrations.
- Advanced accounting automation is available under a subscription plan.
- Mercury investor database, Mercury Raise program, and SAFE
available. - Earn yield from Mercury Treasury
.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Chase: Best for full-suite banking products and premium checking
Our rating: 4.07 out of 5
Chase is another established traditional bank considered the best international bank for business for providing a wide range of business banking products and services, such as business savings, certificates of deposit, financing solutions, credit cards, and merchant services. It offers nationwide branch banking and efficient built-in payment solutions and is our top financial provider in our best banks for QuickBooks integration.
Why we chose it
I recommend opening a Chase business account since outbound FX wires cost zero or a small fee when sent through online or mobile banking
, making it one of the best business banks for international wire transfers. Chase lets you send international wires in over 40 currencies to more than 140 countries. See the latest JP Morgan’s Global Payments Guide.
They offer three business checking options, including a premier account. The Chase Platinum Checking account features waivable monthly fees, concierge support, enhanced fraud protection, and free ATM access.
Monthly fees
- Chase Business Complete Banking®: $15; waivable by having any of these:
- $2,000 average daily balance (ADB).
- $2,000 Chase Ink Business Cards spend.
- $2,000 in deposits from Chase QuickAccept or other eligible Chase Payment Solutions transactions.
- Linked Chase Private Client CheckingSM, JPMorgan Classic Checking, or Private Client Checking Plus account
- Meet Chase Military Banking requirements.
- Chase Performance Business Checking®: $30; waivable by meeting a $35,000 or greater combined ADB in qualifying business deposit accounts.
- Chase Platinum Business Checking®: $95; waivable by meeting a $100,000 combined ADB across qualifying business deposit and investment accounts. The required ADB is $50,000 for a linked Private Client CheckingSM, JPMorgan Classic Checking, or Private Client Checking Plus account.
Features
- $0 or $5 wire fees for outbound FX transactions facilitated online or via Chase’s app.
- Free associate and employee debit cards upon request.
- Chase Bank QuickBooks integration.
- Built-in card acceptance through its mobile app.
- Fraud protection services.
- Payment and invoicing services via Chase Payment Solutions.
- Digital banking and branch locations in 48 states.
- Online and branch customer support.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No required opening deposit and minimum balance for basic checking. | No interest earnings. |
| Unlimited electronic transactions. | Only 20 fee-free paper transactions. |
| $300 or $500 cashback bonus for new accounts (conditions apply). | High balances to waive the monthly fees for premium checking accounts. |
Relay: Best for multi-member teams needing more accounts and debit cards
Our rating: 4.07 out of 5
Relay is a digital-only provider that lets you save fees when sending international payments through your business checking account. With over 180 countries for sending international wire transfers and 32 currencies available in Relay, you can easily send payments to global vendors. Relay updates exchange rates every minute based on the foreign exchange market and applies a 1% exchange rate fee for currency conversion.
You will incur a $10 fee for outbound international wire transfers, which is waived with Relay Pro. Additional fees may apply from recipient banks. Relay processes wires in 2 to 3 business days, and funds typically appear in the beneficiary’s account in 5 to 7 business days, though this can vary depending on intermediary banks. See our Relay business checking review for more details on its key features.
Why we chose it
To send international payments, Relay requires you to open a business checking account. I like that it’s largely fee-free with no monthly fees, balance minimums, or initial opening requirements. You can open up to 20 reserve accounts and issue up to 50 debit cards for multi-member teams, making it easy to monitor your team expenses in detail. You can also manage account access for different team members based internationally to streamline your financial tasks.
Monthly fees
- Relay Business Checking: $0.
- Relay Pro: $30; not waivable.
Features
- $10 outgoing international wire fees for Relay business checking.
- $0 outgoing international wire fees for Relay Pro.
- Free cash deposits at Allpoint ATMs.
- QuickBooks, Xero, Gusto, and Plaid integrations.
- Relay business savings accounts earn 1% to 3% interest.
- Shared account access with team members.
- Debit cards can be customized.
- Email and phone support.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No required minimum balance, opening deposit, or monthly fee for Relay business checking. | No APY for checking accounts. |
| FDIC insurance coverage of up to $3 million. | Lacks business financing options. |
| 20 subaccounts under a single ID (10 for sole proprietors). | Applicable cash deposit fees. |
Rho: Best for flat fee rate for non-USD transfers
Our rating: 4.04 out of 5
Rho is a fintech platform that eliminates ACH, wire, and overdraft fees. It offers business checking, savings accounts, and corporate cards. Scaling your enterprise is streamlined with features like auto approvals, custom spending rules, and real-time receipt capture. Additionally, Rho enables you to send invoices more quickly, make fee-free payments on a large scale, and simplify bookkeeping through accounting software integrations.
Why I chose it
I included Rho in this roundup because it charges a flat 1% rate for foreign currency conversion across 32 currencies and does not impose an extra fee for sending international wires in USD. However, it’s important to note that you may still incur fees from associated banks (correspondent, recipient, or intermediary), including the SWIFT network. Additionally, Rho offers ACH payments and domestic wire transfers for free.
Monthly fees
Rho Business Checking: $0.
Features
- Syncs with NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, Emburse, and SAP Concur.
- Automated bill pay.
- Built-in AP automation and expense management.
- 24/7 customer support.
- No overdraft fees.
- Corporate credit cards with 1.25% cash back rewards.
- High-yield Treasury accounts.
- FDIC coverage of up to $75 million for savings accounts.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Airwallex: Best for fast transfers and conversion fee savingss
Our rating: 3.93 out of 5
Airwallex is a fintech platform offering a business account for international payments. Its Global Account product supports instant or same-day international transfers and seamlessly integrates with popular accounting software Xero and QuickBooks, among others. You can make cross-border transfers to over 150 countries at competitive foreign exchange rates.
Additionally, you can open multi-local currency accounts in 60 countries, with local currencies including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, HKD, and CAD. You can also hold over 23 currencies in your digital wallet. See Airwallex’ supported regions and currencies.
Why we chose it
Airwallex stands out on our list of the best international banks for businesses due to its cost-effective offerings. You can open a business Global Account for free online, with no monthly fee or initial deposit. If you are looking to expand your business into new international markets, you can easily convert your USD funds into local currency accounts, allowing you to save on conversion fees when paying overseas partners and staff.
Monthly fee
Features
- International transfers to over 150 countries.
- Wide range of local and global transfer options.
- Multi-currency corporate cards.
- 85% global transfers arrive within the day.
- Secure worldwide payment acceptance.
- Built-in expense management.
- Over 20 accounting, productivity, and eCommerce software integrations.
- Automated bill payments.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No account opening fees or monthly fees for a Global Account. | No support for ATM withdrawals. |
| Fast online account opening. | Customer support via phone is limited to business hours. |
| Hassle-free international payments via local currency account setup. |
Wise: Best for cost-effective international payments
Our rating: 3.92 out of 5
Wise is a popular platform for sending international payments because it uses the real exchange rate or the mid-market rate. You can open a Wise business account with no monthly fee, but a one-time fee of $31 is collected to receive payments into your account. This fee applies to the following currencies: USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, and NZD. Users can earn an optional APY for their USD balances and get passthrough FDIC insurance of up to $250,000 from a partner bank, Community Federal Savings Bank.
Why we chose it
You can send international payments through Wise at lower fees than other banks since it uses the mid-market rate, which is more favorable and cost-effective. No foreign transaction fees apply when you send funds to over 150 countries in 40-plus currencies. Another great feature I appreciated is the option to open local accounts in 8 currencies, reducing conversion fees when paying international suppliers and employees. Additionally, Wise provides transparent fees when sending money.
Monthly fees
Features
- International transfers at a low fee.
- Mid-market or real exchange rate.
- Overseas payments to over 150 countries.
- QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, NetSuite, and Wave integrations, among others.
- Issue additional employee cards at $5 each.
- Optional APY.
- Shared account access.
- Chat, email, and phone support.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No monthly fee for business account. | Only two fee-free ATM withdrawals monthly. |
| Hold 40-plus currencies. | Cash and check deposits are not accepted. |
| Offers optional interest earnings. | No Wise card for US-based businesses. |
Revolut: Best for multi-currency accounts and plan options
Our rating: 3.91 out of 5
The fintech Revolut offers multi-currency accounts in USD, GBP, and EURO, which lets you send local payments. You can hold and exchange 36 currencies in-app and spend up to 150 local currencies. There are four company business accounts and three freelancer accounts available to choose from. Transfers between Revolut accounts are free and instant. ATM withdrawals and cash deposits are allowed, but fees
can apply.
Why we chose it
Revolut offers savings through local accounts and international transfers, with a free transfer allowance depending on your plan. I appreciate that overseas payments incur a flat fee of $5, and currency exchange is allocated monthly without markup. In addition, I like the variety of plans it offers, which provide flexibility to freelancers and business owners in managing their finances.
Monthly fees
- Basic: $0.
- Grow: $30.
- Scale: $119.
- Enterprise: Custom.
Features
- Multiple local account options are in USD, EUR, CHF, and GBP.
- Physical cards and virtual cards.
- QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage integrations.
- In-app chat support available 24/7.
- Shared account access.
- Creation and sending of custom invoices.
- Facilitates bulk payments for paid plans.
- Various payment acceptance tools.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No monthly fees for Basic Business Account. | Fee-free international transfer allowance available in paid plans only. |
| Hold and exchange 25 currencies. | 2% ATM withdrawal fees regardless of amount. |
| Speedy local and international payments with free transaction allowances depending on your plan. | Cash deposits are charged up to $4.95. |
How to choose the best banks for international businesses
We looked at the following factors when evaluating and assigning a rating for the best banks for international businesses:
- Number of currencies and countries available for international payments.
- Monthly fees and waiver conditions.
- Transaction limits.
- Interest rate offer.
- Wire transfer costs and limits.
- Transfer speed.
- Account features.
- Business software integrations.
- Ease of account opening and app ratings.
- Cash deposit options.
- Other business banking products and services.
- Customer support availability.
Methodology
Before compiling the list of the best banks for international businesses, I evaluated each financial provider’s international payment services and payment methods. This included examining the number of countries and currencies supported for overseas transfers. I also reviewed each bank’s fee structure, such as monthly fees, minimum opening deposits, and balance requirements. Additionally, I considered the APY offerings, fee-free monthly transaction limits, and the speed of receiving international payments.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of using a bank with a global presence?
Using a bank with a global presence streamlines international transactions, and makes it easy to hold multiple currency accounts. You can also save on conversion fees and process payments quickly, which leads to significant savings and enhanced business efficiency.
Can I open an international business account remotely?
Yes, popular fintech companies like Bluevine, Novo, Mercury, and Relay allow you to open a business checking account online. Other providers that let you open local accounts in multiple currencies remotely are Wise, Revolut, and Airwallex.
How can I ensure the security of my international business account?
To ensure your international business account is well protected, use a VPN when accessing your accounts and avoid connecting to a public-access Wi-Fi, which can be risky. Additionally, you need to change passwords often.
How do I compare different banks to find the best fit for my international business?
When choosing the right bank for your international business, perform comprehensive research among different financial institutions. Evaluate the bank’s financial stability and check the number of countries you can send international payments, including the number of available currencies. It’s also crucial to compare based on the speed of fund transfers and the costs of conversion and overseas payments.
What are the security measures in place for international banking for business?
Banks that provide international banking use two-factor authentication (2FA) and follow stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) practices. These are implemented to protect your business reputation and enhance the bank’s reliability.
How long does it take to open an international business account?
International business accounts can be opened as quickly as a few minutes online, granted that you can submit complete personal and business information, including the required company documents.
What are the requirements for opening an international bank account for business?
Typically, banks will ask for proof of ID, business address, employer identification number (EIN), or Social Security number (SSN) for sole proprietorships, and business licenses. See our article on how to open a business bank account for more details.
This article was reviewed by our banking expert Tricia Jones.
