Choosing the best bank for international business is essential for managing global transactions, minimizing fees, and maintaining financial agility. In today’s connected world, businesses need banking solutions that offer speed, transparency, and flexibility across borders. This article explores top international banking options that empower businesses to operate smoothly, no matter where their partners, clients, or teams are located.
I reviewed the 8 best banks for international business.
- Best overall bank for international business: Chase
- Best for high APY and reduced fees from higher-tier accounts: Bluevine
- Best for sending and receiving international wires through online banking: Grasshopper
- Best for transparent exchange fees and speedy fund access: Novo
- Best for multi-member teams needing more accounts and debit cards: Relay
- 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 8 financial providers. Here is our list of the best banks for international business.
Chase: Best overall bank for international business
Our rating: 4.30 out of 5
Chase is our top pick since it’s an established traditional bank 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 in our top three list of financial providers in our best banks for QuickBooks integration.
Why I chose it
Chase lets you send international wires in over 40 currencies to more than 90 countries. See the latest JP Morgan’s Global Payments Guide. Opening a Chase business account is recommended since outbound FX wires can be sent at no charge if the wire is under $5,000 or $5 to $30 for wires over $5,000 when sent through online or mobile banking. There is a fee of $50 when an international wire is sent from a branch.
These fees are affordable, making it one of the best business banks for international wire transfers. You can select among three business checking options, including a premier account. Chase Platinum Checking provides waivable monthly fees, dedicated concierge support, more fraud protection services, and free ATM usage at all Chase ATMs.
Monthly fees
- Chase Business Complete Banking®: $15; waivable by having any of these:
- $2,000 daily ending balance during the statement period
- $2,000 Chase Ink Business Cards spend
- $2,000 in deposits from Chase QuickAccept or other eligible Chase Payment Solutions transactions
- Chase Private Client Checking account
- Qualifying proof of military status
- Chase Performance Business Checking®: $30; waivable by meeting an average beginning day balance of $35,000 or greater combined in qualifying business deposit accounts.
- Chase Platinum Business Checking®: $95; waivable by meeting an average beginning day balance of $100,000 or greater combined across qualifying business deposit and investment accounts. With a linked Private Client Checking account, the required average beginning day balance is $50,000.
Features
- $0 or $30 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 or minimum balance for basic checking | No interest earnings |
| Unlimited electronic transactions | Only 20 fee-free paper transactions |
| Up to a $500 bonus for new accounts (conditions apply) | High balances to waive the monthly fees for premium checking accounts |
Bluevine: Best for high APY and reduced fees from higher-tier accounts
Our rating: 4.20 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. 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.
Why I chose it
Bluevine’s competitive interest rates easily set it apart from other financial providers. With an entry-level Bluevine Standard account, you can get 1.5% APY on balances up to $250,000 by either spending a minimum of $500 using your Bluevine debit or credit card or receiving $2,500 in monthly payments in your checking account. Once you meet higher balances, you can switch to premium accounts with more benefits, which include higher APY (2.70% to 3.70%) and lower fees (up to 50% off) for outgoing international USD and FX wire transfers.
Monthly fees
- Bluevine Standard: $0
- Bluevine Plus: $30; waivable by having:
- An average daily balance 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 average daily balance 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, and Wave integrations
- Compatible with Wise, Venmo, CashApp, and Square
- Lines of credit up to $250,000 at low rates
- Business credit card with a $0 annual fee
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Three business checking options with high yield (1.5% to 3.7%) | Cash deposit fees at Allpoint+ ATMs ($1 plus 0.5% of the deposit amount) and Green Dot locations (up to $4.95) |
| 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 |
Grasshopper: Best for sending and receiving international wires through online banking
Our rating: 4.15 out of 5
Grasshopper is a forward-thinking digital bank designed to support international business from the ground up. With a focus on technology-driven solutions, streamlined user experience, and quick access to capital, it’s a strong choice for startups and entrepreneurs. Though based in the U.S., its infrastructure and partnerships make it well-equipped for handling global transactions with ease.
Why I chose it
Grasshopper offers a strong suite of international services, like $5 incoming international wires and $25 outgoing, that make it especially attractive for small businesses with global operations. It supports low-cost international wire transfers with competitive FX rates, often beating traditional banks on both speed and transparency. The platform allows users to send and receive payments in multiple currencies and integrates seamlessly with tools like Wise and Narmi for efficient cross-border transactions.
Grasshopper’s real-time FX quotes and clear breakdown of transfer fees eliminate the guesswork often associated with international banking. Additionally, its digital-first interface ensures that businesses can manage global payments without the delays or paperwork typical of legacy banks.
Monthly fees
- Innovator Checking: No monthly maintenance fee
- Accelerator Checking: No monthly maintenance fee
Features
- Low-cost incoming and outgoing international wire transfers
- Virtual and physical debit cards
- Integrates with QuickBooks, Autobooks, Plaid, and Ramp
- API integrations for developers
- Free outgoing domestic wires
- Multi-currency support
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No monthly maintenance fee on either account | No direct multi-currency accounts |
| Fully online platform with an intuitive interface | No credit cards offered, only debit cards |
| Software integrations offer international options | Daily wire limits may apply |
Novo: Best for transparent exchange fees and speedy fund access
Our rating: 4.11 out of 5
The fintech Novo partners with Wise for global payments, allowing its customers to pay low fees when making cross-border payments in 50 currencies across 80-plus countries. To process your international transactions, you can open a fee-free Novo business checking account and save on monthly fees, as well as get an ATM fee refund of up to $7 monthly when you use your debit card locally or internationally. In addition, using Novo lets you accept Stripe payouts quickly and save on transaction fees.
Why I chose it
Novo is among the best banks for international business since it integrates with Wise, allowing you to save when sending international payments. Wise provides a solid mid-market exchange rate that follows the market closely during trading hours. Compared to other financial providers, the conversion fees can be lower and the rates higher, which is beneficial for users.
On top of this, Novo offers speedy access to funds through Novo Boost. You can receive Stripe payments from your customers in as fast as a few hours and save as much as $150 because your first $5,000 in Stripe revenue is free.
Novo business checking accounts provide unlimited monthly transactions. If you need to deposit cash, you will need to convert it to a money order in your local area, then deposit the money order in your account.
Monthly fee
- Novo Business Checking: $0
Features
- Low-fee international payments through Wise partnership
- QuickBooks, Amazon, Stripe, Square, and PayPal integrations
- Unlimited and free customized invoices through the Novo app
- Physical and virtual debit cards
- No standard ACH fees
- Free incoming wire transfers
- Novo perks include discounts on QuickBooks, Stripe, and Google Cloud
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 |
Relay: Best for multi-member teams needing more accounts and debit cards
Our rating: 4.05 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 160 countries for sending international wire transfers and 31 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 pay $5 for outbound international wire transfers, but this fee is waived when you upgrade to Relay Pro. However, additional fees may be charged by recipient banks or partners. Relay does not set a cutoff period when sending overseas wire payments and sends out wires in two or three business days. You can expect the wired funds to appear in the beneficiary’s bank account in five to seven business days. However, this could vary depending on the intermediary banks involved.
Why I chose it
To send international payments, Relay requires you to open a business checking account, and this is 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.
Cash can be deposited and withdrawn for free at Allpoint ATMs, while a deposit fee of up to $4.95 applies at Green Dot retail locations.
Monthly fees
- Relay Business Checking: $0
- Relay Pro: $30; not waivable
Features
- $5 local network 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 | No welcome bonus for new users |
| 20 subaccounts under a single ID (10 for sole proprietors) | Lacks business financing options |
Airwallex: Best for fast transfers and conversion fee savings
Our rating: 4.00 out of 5
Airwallex is a fintech platform offering a business account for international payments. Its Global Account product accommodates instant or same-day international transfers and integrates with popular accounting software Xero and QuickBooks, among others. You can make cross-border transfers to over 170 countries and 60 currencies. You can open currency accounts with unique local details in 20 different currencies — including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CNY, HKD, and CAD — and conveniently manage them all within your digital wallet. See Airwallex’ supported regions and currencies.
Why I chose it
Airwallex is on our list of the best international banks for business for its cost-effective product. You can open a business Global Account for free online with no monthly or initial opening fees. If you seek to expand your business into new international markets, you can easily transfer your USD funds into other local currency accounts to save on conversion fees when paying your overseas business partners and staff.
Monthly fee
Features
- International transfers to over 170 countries
- Wide range of local and global transfer options
- Multi-currency corporate cards
- Secure worldwide payment acceptance
- Built-in expense management
- Over 18 accounting, productivity, and e-commerce software integrations
- Automated bill payments
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No account opening fees and 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 |
Revolut: Best for multi-currency accounts and plan options
Our rating: 3.92 out of 5
The fintech Revolut offers multi-currency accounts so you can send and receive payments in currencies different from where your business is based. You can hold and exchange 36 currencies across 160 countries. There are four company business accounts available to choose from. Transfers between Revolut accounts are free and instant. ATM withdrawals and cash deposits are allowed, but fees may apply.
Why I chose it
Revolut offers seamless international money transfers with low fees and real-time exchange rates, making it ideal for global travelers and remote workers. Its user-friendly mobile app provides advanced budgeting tools, multi-currency accounts, and instant spending notifications for full financial control. With innovative features like disposable virtual cards and robust security, Revolut stands out as a modern and secure banking solution for international users.
Monthly fees
- Basic: $0
- Grow: $30
- Scale: $119
- Enterprise: Custom
Features
- 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 36 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 |
Wise: Best for cost-effective international payments
Our rating: 3.87 out of 5
Wise is a trusted international banking alternative known for its transparent fees and mid-market exchange rates. It allows users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies, making cross-border transactions simple and cost-effective. With a strong focus on speed, security, and affordability, Wise is a smart choice for individuals and businesses managing global finances.
Why I chose it
I chose Wise because it goes beyond just low-cost transfers—it also offers the flexibility to hold, convert, and spend in over 23 currencies from one account. The Wise debit card is perfect for travel, automatically converting currencies at the best rate with no surprise fees. I also appreciate the detailed transaction tracking, fast transfer speeds, and strong security features that make managing international finances stress-free.
Monthly fees
Features
- International transfers at a low fee
- Mid-market or real exchange rate
- QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, and Wave integrations, among others
- 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 |
| Multi-currency accounts | Cash and check deposits are not accepted |
| Offers optional interest earnings | No lending products |
How to choose the best banks for international businesses
I 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 creating the list of the best banks for international businesses, I assessed the financial provider’s international payment services, specifically the number of countries and currencies available for sending overseas transfers. I also checked the bank’s fee structure, such as monthly fees, opening deposits, and required balance requirements. Additionally, I reviewed the APY offer, fee-free monthly transaction limits, ease of account opening, and speed of receiving international payments.
Frequently asked questions
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.
What are the key factors when selecting an international bank for business?
Choosing the right international bank entails evaluating the bank’s financial stability and checking the number of countries you can send international payments to, including the number of available currencies. The speed of the transfers and applicable transaction fees are also crucial.
How long does it take to open an international business account?
International business accounts can be opened in just a few minutes online, as long as you provide complete personal details, business information, and the necessary company documents.
What are the requirements for opening an international bank account for business?
Typically, banks will ask for proof of identification, 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.
