Explore top international banks with low fees, global reach, and tools designed for cross-border business success.
Choosing the best bank for international businesses is essential for managing global transactions, minimizing fees, and maintaining financial agility. In today’s connected world, you need banking solutions that offer speed, transparency, and flexibility across borders. This article explores the top international banking options that empower your business to operate smoothly, no matter where its partners, clients, or teams are located.
Here are my recommendations for the best banks for international business:
Below is a summary of the top features I considered for the best international bank for businesses.
| Accounts | My rating (out of 5) | Charges monthly fees | Offers APY | Offers free monthly transactions | Countries & currencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluevine Standard | 4.34 | No | Yes | Yes, unlimited |
|
| Relay Starter | 4.22 | No | No | Yes, unlimited |
|
| Mercury business checking | 4.19 | No | No | Yes |
|
| Chase Business Complete Banking® | 4.17 | Yes | No | Yes |
|
| Grasshopper Accelerator Checking | 3.96 | No | Yes | Yes, unlimited | Undisclosed |
| Novo Business Checking | 3.92 | No | No | Yes, unlimited |
|
| Airwallex Global Account | 3.47 | No | No | Yes |
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For more options for cross-border payments, check out our guide to the best business banks for international wire transfers.
My rating: 4.34 out of 5
Bluevine is a reliable fintech option with three business checking tiers, a cashback business credit card, and a flexible line of credit. It also supports fast international payments with a 24-hour turnaround. You can send payments to 32+ countries in 15 currencies, with pricing clearly displayed upfront. There’s a $25 fee for each USD payment, plus a 1.5% charge for currency conversion.
Bluevine stood out to me as a strong option because it combines interest-earning checking with straightforward, transparent pricing. With the Standard account, your business can earn 1.3% APY on balances up to $250,000 by either spending $500 per month on the Bluevine debit card or receiving $2,500 in customer payments.
The higher tiers also offer valuable perks, including reduced fees for international wires. If your business wants to manage international payments while earning interest on its cash reserves, Bluevine is one of the best international banks worth considering.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Three business checking options with high yield (1.3% to 3.5%) | 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 | $2.50 charge for non-network ATM use on top of operator surcharges |
| FDIC insurance of up to $3 million | No in-person banking services |
My rating: 4.22 out of 5
Relay is a digital business banking platform that helps companies streamline international payments and control team expenses. With support for international wire transfers to over 159 countries and 31 currencies, it offers simple, low-cost cross-border payments. Exchange rates update every minute, with a currency exchange fee as low as 1%.
Domestic wire transfers are $8 on the free Starter plan and $5 on the Grow and Scale plans. Same-day ACH transfers are also available, starting at $5 and dropping to $1 on Scale. These tiered options make it easier for growing businesses to manage payments efficiently based on volume and priority.
I recommend Relay as the most flexible setup for small teams, especially those needing to manage spending across different departments or geographic locations. The ability to open up to 20 reserve accounts and issue up to 50 debit cards makes it easier to manage spending across departments or locations.
With no account minimums, monthly fees, or hidden charges, Relay stood out to me as a strong option for businesses wanting international banking capabilities without the burden of a traditional banking experience.
| 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 physical locations |
| 20 subaccounts under a single ID | No business financing options |
If you’re exploring other digital-first platforms with similar capabilities, take a look at our guide to the best online business bank accounts. It compares top options for fast, flexible, and modern banking.
My rating: 4.19 out of 5
Mercury is a digital banking platform designed with tech startups in mind. It offers access to free business checking and savings accounts, along with support for international wire transfers to over 220 countries in 41 currencies. With no required monthly fees, easy integration with finance tools, and multiuser account access, it makes it easier for global startups to manage money without the complexity of a traditional bank.
As a former banker, I’ve seen firsthand how startups can struggle with rigid banking systems that aren’t built for speed or scale. Mercury stands out for its modern approach. The platform lets you apply for an account entirely online and manage multiple users. You can also send free domestic and international wires in USD at competitive rates. For startups working with international clients, this kind of flexibility is a game-changer.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No required monthly fees or minimum balance | No physical branches |
| International wires to over 220 countries | No cash deposits |
| Tech-friendly interface with developer API | Savings account earns little to no interest |
My rating: 4.17 out of 5
Chase is a well-established traditional bank that provides a wide range of business banking services, including savings accounts, certificates of deposit, credit cards, merchant services, and financing solutions. It offers in-person support through branches in 48 states
Chase stood out to me as a dependable option for international business banking because it supports wire transfers in 120 currencies across over 200 countries. You can refer to JP Morgan’s Global Payments Guide for the full details.
Although the fee for sending an international wire from a branch is $50, that cost can be reduced to $0 or $30 when using Chase’s online or mobile banking platforms, depending on the amount sent. I also like that Chase offers three different business checking accounts with options to waive the monthly fees, plus helpful features like built-in fraud protection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No required opening deposit or minimum balance for basic checking | High international wire fees when sending from a branch |
| Unlimited electronic transactions | Only 20 fee-free paper transactions |
| Robust security and fraud protection | No APY on Chase Business Complete Banking® |
My rating: 3.96 out of 5
Grasshopper is a digital-first business bank built to support small companies with international ambitions. It offers a user-friendly online platform, fast access to capital, and robust support for global transactions. Although it’s a US-based provider, its international partnerships and software integrations make it well-suited for businesses operating across borders. When compiling my list of the best international banks for business, Grasshopper checked most of the boxes.
I was drawn to Grasshopper for its clear and competitive pricing on international wire transfers. Incoming international wires cost just $5, and outgoing ones are a flat $25. That’s lower than many traditional banks I’ve reviewed. It also supports payments in multiple currencies and integrates with platforms like Claude, Plaid, QuickBooks Online, and Autobooks, which helps simplify global money movement.
What stood out most to me was Grasshopper’s straightforward approach to international payments. While the provider doesn’t publicly list the countries or currencies it supports, it does clearly outline its wire fees and process. You’ll see the exchange rate used and any applicable charges at the time of transfer, which helps avoid surprises.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No monthly maintenance fee on either account | No direct multicurrency accounts |
| Fully online platform with an intuitive interface | Only one in-person branch |
| Software integrations offer international options | Daily ACH limits may apply |
My rating: 3.92 out of 5
Novo is a fintech platform that stands out for small businesses looking to send international payments with minimal fees. Thanks to its integration with Wise, Novo supports cross-border payments in 50 currencies and over 80 countries. You can open a fee-free Novo business checking account, process global payments affordably, and receive up to $7 in monthly ATM fee refunds when using a debit card domestically or abroad.
The provider also supports Stripe payouts and lets users receive money from customers faster, making it easier to manage cash flow. You can also connect your account to tools like Stripe and Xero for smoother day-to-day operations.
I included Novo in my list of the best international banks for business because of its partnership with Wise. It lets you save on international transaction fees without needing a traditional international account. The mid-market exchange rates are transparent, and Wise adjusts them throughout the day based on global market changes.
Novo also provides fast access to Stripe payments through Novo Boost, which can be a real advantage if your business relies on frequent incoming revenue. It doesn’t have a minimum deposit requirement, nor does it charge monthly maintenance fees. However, Novo doesn’t support direct cash deposits, so you’ll need to convert any cash into a money order before adding it to your account.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Up to $7 monthly third-party ATM fee refunds | No interest earnings |
| Fast Stripe payouts via Novo Boost | No physical locations |
| Free incoming and outgoing ACH | Cash cannot be deposited directly |
My rating: 3.47 out of 5
Airwallex, a fintech platform, has a Global Account product that supports cross-border payments to over 200 countries and integrates with tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and Shopify. You can open local currency accounts with region-specific banking details, allowing you to receive payments as if you had a local bank account in markets like the US, the UK, the Eurozone, China, Australia, and Canada.
All currencies and accounts are managed from a single interface, making it one of the best international banks for businesses with a global reach and automation-friendly tools. See Airwallex’s payout network.
I included Airwallex in this roundup because of how easy it makes global money movement. You can open a Global Account online at no cost, with no monthly or setup fees. What impressed me most was the ability to open and manage multiple local currency accounts, which helps you save on foreign exchange fees when paying international contractors, suppliers, or teams.
If you’re expanding into new markets or managing payments across multiple countries, Airwallex offers a streamlined alternative to traditional banks, with the speed and flexibility modern companies expect.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No account opening and monthly fees for Global Account | No support for ATM withdrawals |
| Fast online account opening | Phone support is limited to business hours |
| Hassle-free international payments via local currency account setup | No physical branches |
As someone who has spent years in banking, I understand how important the fine print is when it comes to choosing the right account, especially for businesses with international needs.
To create this list of the best international banks for business, I evaluated each provider’s global payment services, including how many countries and currencies they support for sending and receiving money. I also looked at their fee structures, such as monthly fees, deposit requirements, APY options, transaction limits, and how easy it is to open an account and receive international payments quickly.
I looked at the following factors when evaluating and assigning a rating for the best banks for international businesses:
Most international business banks use two-factor authentication (2FA) and follow strict Know Your Customer (KYC) practices. These security steps are designed to verify identities, prevent fraud, and protect your account.
Look for a bank that supports the countries and currencies you need, offers competitive transfer fees, and processes international payments quickly. It’s also worth considering the ease of account setup, integrations with your business tools, and any monthly fee charges.
In most cases, you can open an international business account online in just a few minutes. You’ll need to provide your personal and business details, along with any required documents like your EIN or business license.
Most banks ask for a government-issued ID, your business address, your EIN or SSN (for sole proprietors), and a valid business license. Requirements may vary, so it helps to check the bank’s website before starting the application.
Rayanne Harmon is a seasoned finance professional with 30 years of experience in banking, finance, and accounting. She specializes in consumer and business banking services, with deep expertise in credit products such as HELOCs, HELOANs, auto loans, and consumer loans. Her background also includes financial risk assessment, credit repair, and treasury management, where she has driven process improvements and client-centric banking solutions.
