About Author: Hi, I’m Quinn Askeland. In 2014, I started Transumo after experiencing expensive, slow, and frustrating international money transfers and payments through banks. Once I discovered how to manage my own international currencies much better, I became driven to help others improve their transfers and payments. Fortunately, today, there are many excellent options. See My Full Bio.
A multi currency account is a great way to manage multiple currencies – get paid and pay others in one spot. If you are serious about reducing fees from currency conversion and saving time – read on.
I started using a multi currency account as way to stop messing around with multiple bank accounts and making payments from multiple cards a couple years ago.
Here’s the deal:
Wise, Revolut and Payoneer offer the best multi currency accounts which are alternatives to the traditional banks.
While banks make it easy to manage our money (like sending and receiving local payments), things become messy when you’re dealing in foreign currencies.
Exorbitant fees linked to these accounts, high minimum balances, and long transfer times can make banks inconvenient for small businesses and international individuals.
Fortunately, some great services now make things simpler and cheaper.
This new breed of multi-currency accounts is making big waves for their low to no-fees services, and online convenience.
In this article, you will learn the benefits and drawbacks of both bank multi-currency accounts and their low cost online alternatives.
Then you can make the best choice for your needs.
Don’t missthe alternatives(below)!
Disclosure: This post may contain offers and affiliate links to save you money and it also helps us to keep providing the best information. For more information, see our disclosures here.
Hold multiple currencies in 1 account Accept payments in different currencies as a business Spend in different currencies without paying conversion feesPros
Traditional bank multi-currency accounts often have higher fees (account maintenance, withdrawal, and more) Check out the multi-currency account alternatives below to avoid these fees.Cons
1. What is a Multi-currency Account?
A multi-currency (or foreign currency account) is a type of account that allows you to hold, send, and receive funds in multiple foreign currencies.Having a single multi-currency account can be cheaper to manage, compared to multiple bank accounts in different countries — where you may have to pay monthly fees or maintain a certain balance in each of your accounts.
Whether you’re a business or individual, you can:
- Hold different currencies in one place (and wait to convert it at a good rate)
- Get paid or receive money in different currencies
- Spend in different currencies without paying conversion fees
Traditionally, most people will go through their local bank to open a multi-currency account.
But, they are usually not the most cost-effective option!
Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you and consolidated the best cheaper alternatives for multi-currency accounts. (Jump to our multi-currency alternatives section if you want to find out about them now!)
2. When Will a Multi-currency Account Work For You (or Not)
Opening a multi-currency or foreign currency account can be a great option for many individuals and businesses.
But, it may not be right for everyone. And yes, there are lower cost alternatives to traditional banks!
Here is a quick summary of who a bank multi-currency account it’s good for (and not).
Works For You
- You want to hold multiple currencies in a single bank account.
- You want to be able to send and receive different currencies into a single account.
- With banks, you may earn interest in different currencies.
- With banks, your funds are protected by government schemes.
- With banks, you can get in-person help from a local branch.
- Banks may provide overdraft options
Individual examples:
- You if you live and work abroad but also need to handle bills and other expenses in your home country.
Business examples:
- You operate an e-commerce store that accepts payments in multiple currencies
- Engage in international trade (both import and export)
- Employ contractors or suppliers in different countries that need to be paid in different currencies
- Freelancers that work with clients around the world that pay in multiple currencies
Won’t Work For You
- If you want a cost-effective way to hold, receive, and spend different currencies from one account, going through your bank may not be the best option. (This is where alternatives can help)
- Banks usually include high minimums to open an account, monthly/yearly maintenance fees, high withdrawal/receiving fees, and more. (This is also where alternatives can help)
- Plus, many banks only support a handful of currencies. (As you will see a newer breed of alternatives can provide a lot more flexibility)
Getting a multi-currency account from a bank in your own country (see best options for UK, Europe, US, Canada, Australia, and other countries below) can be a good option if you want:
- The security of a bank that’s back by local government schemes
- In-person help from a physical branch
- To be able to earn interest on your multi-currency balance
But that’s where the benefits stop.
The biggest issues are that they often slap you with high fees (account maintenance, withdrawal/receiving funds, etc.) and only accept a small number of currencies.
This is where alternatives to traditional banks come in. They often have lower fees, accept more currencies, and provide good customer support, so you can better manage your international money. Next, we provide you with a list of the best 3 alternatives to high street banks for multi-currency accounts.Alternatives to Banks
3. Best Alternatives to Multi-Currency accounts
Multi-currency or foreign accounts offered by banks may not be for everyone especially because of the fees involved.
That’s where companies like Wise (review) (formerly TransferWise) come in.
Here is an example of how Wise (our top pick) works:The account requires no minimum balance, it has zero monthly fees, and it chargesvery competitive currency exchange rates whilst always converting your money at the mid-market rate.It is also available pretty much world wide andthe account comes with a supporting debit card so users can spend the money they hold in their accounts at the mid-market rate and low fees.A big differentiator of Wiseis that they provide unique local bank account details for the US, UK, Eurozone, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Turkey, Romania and Hungary so that customers can receive payments in those currencies for free and there is no minimum holding deposit required.You also can open an account online and don’t need to visit a bank.Get Wise Multi-currency Account Here
Revolut and Payoneer also have Multi-currency accounts.
Generally, multi-currency accounts offered by these companies work similarly to standard bank accounts where you can receive money (your salary, pension, tax benefits, business payments, etc.), hold multiple currencies, and access your funds online or via ATM withdrawals.
They’re also licensed in many countries, which means that like banks there are lots of safety and security built in.
But unlike banks, you don’t earn interest on the money you hold, can’t apply for overdrafts, and the funds are not protected by government schemes.
There are also limits on how much money you can receive and hold.
Nevertheless, they’re great alternatives to traditional foreign currency accounts from banks because you avoid high fees.
This makes them great for frequent travelers, digital nomads, and growing global businesses (especially online businesses) looking to reduce high costs and have a better experience.
Pros
- Hold, send and receive foreign currency without paying conversion fees
Banks
- Interest and overdraft protection may be possible
- Some deposits are guaranteed (in the event they fail)
Alternatives
- Significantly cheaper fee structure to banks
Cons
Banks
- Bank conversion fees apply when converting foreign to local currency
- Most banks require high minimums
Alternatives
- Do not pay interest or have overdraft protection
- Deposits are not guaranteed
Here’s a look at our top 3 multi-currency account alternatives:
3.1 Wise Multi Currency Account – Manage 40+ currencies with low, transparent fees
Wise (review) is a money transfer company that lets you hold and manage 55+ currencies and get international bank details in 10 currencies so you can get paid like a local.
But before you get too excited, clickhereto see if the Wise account isavailable in your country.
Supported currencies for international bank details include: USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, AUD, NZD, SGD (Singapore dollars), TRY (Turkish lira), RON (Romanian lei), and HUF (Hungarian Forint).
You also get a MasterCard debit card (review) (for both personal and business) that can be used in 200 countries and for online transactions in foreign currencies.
They’re great for international bank-to-bank transfers too because of their good exchange rates (they always provide mid-market rate) and low (and transparent) fees.
Wise also offers dedicated business accounts that support bulk payments, integrations with business apps, and invoicing, among others.
You can also freeze and unfreeze your card whenever you like. PIN reminders and instant transaction notifications, also help to ensure you know what is going on.
3.2 Revolut – Excellent mobile experience
With Revolut (review), you can benefit from mobile-centric bank like experience that simplifies the process of managing your finances. This includes access to a multi-currency current account, debit card, and foreign currency exchange services.
Check hereto see if the Revolut isavailable in your country.
Revolut allows you to deposit and hold money in more than 30 currencies and withdraw it in over 120 currencies.
It is the ideal option for you if you mainly travel in Europe since they don’t charge for transfers within the SEPA.
Revolut charges 0.3% fee for most currency transfers. On weekends, a 1% markup is added to all currencies when exchanging. But on weekdays, they match the mid-market rate without any extra charges.
You can also access budgeting and analytical tools on Revolut’s app.
3.3 Payoneer – Great Additional Business Payment Features
Payoneer (review) offers multi-currency accounts for online sellers, freelancers, service providers, and digital marketers. It’s geared towards small businesses with additional features like client invoicing, and linking to popular marketplaces or networks (like Upwork and AirBnB).
With Payoneer, you can accept payments like a local with bank details in USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, and MXN.
They also let you easily convert between currencies you hold in your Payoneer balance to pay for your business expenses, including setting up bulk payments to suppliers and contractors in 200 countries.
After you compare the Pros and Cons above for Banks and Alternatives, you might discover alternatives can save you a lot in fees and offer you a service that is far better for your needs. Next, we will show you how to choose a service.Is an Alternative better?
4. How to choose a service
For most, the volume of your transactions will usually determine what kind of service is best for you.
If you have a mid-size to large business, a bank operated multi-currency account is most likely your best option. Despite the fees, these accounts usually come with other benefits associated with high-volume transactions.
For instance, you may be able to arrange overdraft limits with your bank, so you’ll never delay a payment.
And while the interest rates may be low, it’s still an addition to a P&L.
Furthermore, you may also benefit from more personal customer service (like in-branch support) whenever needed.
If you are a small business or individual, traditional bank operated multi-currency accounts become expensive and less useful.
And that’s where alternatives like the multi-currency account from Wise (review) become much better options.
With Wise, you still get many of the benefits of a traditional bank account — but without the hefty fees. If you choose to make currency conversions, their rates are also one of the best in the market. And they’re always transparent about the exact fees you pay. Furthermore, you’ll even be able to get local bank account details in a variety of countries.
In our full review for Wise we showed a review from Thomas,
Wise is perhaps the best online bank / transfer service I have ever come across to. It’s fast, reliable, supports answers quickly, and it’s cheap. Compared to my physical bank … this is miles ahead, and it is even better than competitors … A big shout out to Wise, that I now use as my everyday bank: receive my salary, pay in stores, pay online, send money to friends…
Trustpilot
If you’re looking for a powerful card, Wise also has a MasterCard debit card linked to your multi currency account that lets you spend the different currencies you hold in your account.
N26 (review) is another excellent option as they have a debit card that lets you spend with very low costs in 200 currencies.
If you mostly conduct your business online, Payoneer (review) is a strong option as they let you manage online payments in multiple currencies and have direct payment solutions and work with outsourcing platforms like Upwork and e-commerce marketplaces.
Now that you have an overview of multi-currency accounts, let’s look at the best options by country.
5. Best for UK
The United Kingdom has several banks that offer multi-currency accounts including local ones like Barclays, Lloyds, and NatWest, and international banks such as HSBC and Santander.
If you already have a sterling bank account with Barclays, you can open a foreign currency account in one of the 23 currencies currently offered by the bank. Besides sterling and foreign currency accounts, Barclays also has deposit accounts in EUR and USD.
Alongside Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, HSBC, and Santander all offer foreign currency accounts to businesses and individuals. All the banks require you to hold a sterling account with them and be 18 years or over.
Among them, NatWest and Lloyds are the only ones who charge account maintenance fees. But while it’s cheaper to hold an account with the others, the international transfer fees can be relatively expensive.
This makes traditional options like these only suitable for large businesses and wealthy retail customers.
Good news is, there are cheaper options like Wise and Payoneer.
Wise offers multi-currency accounts to both individuals and businesses with the ability to hold way more currencies, while Payoneer is an excellent alternative for online sellers, freelancers, and digital marketers.
| Available Currencies | Minimum Balance | Maintenance Fees | Transfer Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barclays | AUD, NZD, CAD, USD, HKD, JPY, ZAR, DKK, NOK, CHF, SEK | No | No Fees | SEPA Credit Payments - Free International transfers - £25 |
| Lloyds | GBP, USD, EUR | Charges applicable | £7.50 GBP/ €8 EUR/$10 USD per month | No fee charged by the bank. But currency conversion fees applicable + fees may be charged by the receiving bank (£12-£20 GBP) |
| NatWest | AUD, CAD, USD, JPY, CHF, HKD, NOK, NZD, AED, EUR, HUF, PLN, MXN, TRY, ZAR, SEK | No | £72/year | Outward SWIFT – £25 manual/£20 electronic Outward CHAPS – £23 manual/£15 electronic Outward SEPA – £5 Inward payments – free up to £100 (currency equivalent); £7.5 from £100.01 onwards |
| HSBC | AUD, NZD, CAD, USD, HKD, JPY, ZAR, DKK, NOK, CHF, SEK, CNY, AED | No | No fees | £0 for all transfers from an HSBC account to another HSBC account anywhere in the world. £6-£52 depending on currency for currency transfers to any other bank |
| Santander | EUR, USD, GBP | No | No fees | Outward SWIFT – £30 online/£45 electronic Inward payments – no fees |
| Wise | 40+ currencies, including GBP, USD, CAD, AUD, EUR, etc. | No | No fees | flat fee + a percentage fee based on the amount and currency (percentage fee ranges between 0.35%-1.5%) |
| Payoneer | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, and MXN | No | No fees | Free to Payoneer accounts | 2% fee to other bank accounts |
6. Best for USA
Your options for foreign currency accounts with banks are quite limited if you’re in the US.
Bank of America doesn’t offer foreign currency accounts, but they do let you buy specific currencies if you’re traveling abroad.
Citi Bank’s multi-currency account is actually an offshore account and comes with a hefty minimum balance requirement and high international currency transfer fees.
Wells Fargo is ideal for multimillion-dollar businesses, but TIAA is more affordable – though you do need a $2500 minimum to open an account.
In comparison, Wise offers so much more in terms of the currencies you can hold, transfer fees, and what you can do with your multi-currency account overall. Not to mention they offer multi-currency accounts for both individuals and businesses.
Payoneer is a great option for growing businesses, and N26’s robust MasterCard debit card will make paying for your travels abroad very affordable.
| Available Currencies | Minimum Balance | Maintenance Fees | Transfer Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citibank | AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, JPY, USD, NZD, CZK, DKK, HKD, HUF ILS, JPY, NOK, PLN, RON, RUB, ZAR, SEK, CHF, TRY, AED | $2,00,000 USD | $150/month if minimum balance isn’t met | Citi Global transfers – $0 (to 20 countries) SWIFT – $60 |
| TIAA (formerly EverBank) | AUD, GBP, CAD, DKK, EUR, HKD, JPY, NZD, NOK, SGD, SEK, CHF | $2,500 opening deposit or $100/month | Depend on currency | Currency conversion costs of 1% of the wholesale rate for the selected currency. |
| Wells Fargo | AED, AUD, BHD, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, JOD, ILS, INR, JPY, KWD, MAD, MXN, NOK, NZD, OMR, PHP, PLN, QAR, SAR, SEK, SGD, TRY, USD, XPF, ZAR | Contact Branch | Contact Branch | Contact Branch |
| Wise | 40+ currencies, including GBP, USD, CAD, AUD, EUR, etc. | No | No fees | flat fee + a percentage fee based on the amount and currency (percentage fee ranges between 0.35%-1.5%) |
| Payoneer | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, and MXN | No | No fees | Free to Payoneer accounts | 2% fee to other bank accounts |
| N26 | USD, MasterCard debit card works in 200 countries | No | No membership fees in the US | International transfer rates offered by Wise - flat fee + a percentage fee based on the amount and currency (percentage fee ranges between 0.35%-1.5%) |
7. Best for Europe
Opening a foreign currency account in Europe is a bit trickier because banks in each country follow different regulations.
The conditions for opening a multi-currency account and the fees, therefore, vary widely even between branches of the same bank opened in different European countries.
Picking a bank with branches in multiple countries could be a wise choice, though, as most banks practice free foreign currency transfers between their European branches.
Some of the biggest players with branches in most European countries are UniCredit, ING Bank, Raiffeisen, San Paolo Bank, and Santander.
For most European countries, Wise (review) is a good alternative to banks as it lets you hold 55+ currencies and has more affordable, transparent transfer rates. Payoneer is another option to look into for small businesses, online sellers, or freelancers that need to hold multiple currencies.
If you simply need an affordable debit card for international spending, N26 is a good option. They’re a digital bank that offers a debit card without any foreign exchange rate fees. N26 are also a real bank based in the EU.
8. Best for Canada
Like the US, Canada also has limited options for foreign currency accounts (especially for retail customers).
Scotiabank only offers multi-currency accounts to businesses while CIBC only lets you hold USD (other than CAD). HSBC’s accounts are also for businesses only.
So if you want to easily manage your international money, Wise is the best alternative (although their MasterCard debit isn’t available in Canada yet). Wise lets you hold 55+ currencies and their transfer rates are one of the most affordable out there. Plus, you can get a multi-currency account with them whether you’re an individual or a business.
Small businesses can also go with Payoneer (they’re particularly great for online sellers as Payoneer can be integrated into payment gateways).
| Available Currencies | Minimum Balance | Maintenance Fees | Transfer Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotia Bank | GBP, EUR, JPY | No | $16 CAD per month | 2 free outward transactions per month. $1-$5/transaction for all other transactions |
| HSBC | AUD, NZD, CAD, USD, HKD, JPY, ZAR, DKK, NOK, CHF, SEK, CNY, AED | No | No fees | Depend on currency |
| CIBC | USD | No | $6/month for a business account | $1-$1.25/transaction |
| Wise | 40+ currencies including GBP, USD, CAD, AUD, EUR, etc. | No | No fees | flat fee + a percentage fee based on the amount and currency (percentage fee ranges between 0.35%-1.5%) |
| Payoneer | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, and MXN | No | No fees | Free to Payoneer accounts | 2% fee to other bank accounts |
9. Best for Australia
In Australia, the major players offering multi-currency accounts are NAB, Commonwealth, ANZ, and Westpac.
NAB, Commonwealth, and Westpac open foreign currency accounts to both individuals and businesses. You won’t have to maintain a minimum balance, but maintenance fees can be charged for holding some currencies in your account.
ANZ offers foreign currency accounts to both individuals and businesses as well, but its fee structure is pretty complicated.
Wise on the other hand offers way more than traditional multi-currency accounts. For one, you can hold and manage 55+ currencies. You also get international bank details in 10 currencies and a MasterCard debit card linked to the account that’s accepted in 200 countries.
And the best part? Wise is open to both individuals and businesses.
And if you’re an online seller, international freelancer, or digital marketer, you can also check out Payoneer.
| Available Currencies | Minimum Balance | Maintenance Fees | Transfer Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAB | USD, GBP, NZD, JPY, CAD, SGD. HKD, DKK, FJD (Fijian Dollar), NOK, PHP, WST (Samoan Tala), ZAR, SEK, CHF, THB, AED | No | A fee may be charged on holding large balances | Outward payments: $10 AUD Inward payments: up to $15 AUD |
| CommonWealth | USD, CAD, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, NOK, SGD, ZAR, SEK, CHF, THB | No | No | $22-$30 AUD, depending on how the transfer is funded |
| ANZ | AUD, USD, GBP, JPY, EUR, CAD | Depends on currency | Contact branch | Outward payments: $9-$28 AUD Inward payments: $15 AUD |
| Westpac | USD, GBP, JPY, ZAR, EUR, NOK, CAD, DKK, SGD, NZD, CNY, HKD | No | No | $10-$32, depending on funding method |
| Wise | 40+ currencies, including GBP, USD, CAD, AUD, EUR, etc. | No | No fees | flat fee + a percentage fee based on the amount and currency (percentage fee ranges between 0.35%-1.5%) |
| Payoneer | USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, and MXN | No | No fees | Free to Payoneer accounts | 2% fee to other bank accounts |
10. Best for Rest of the World
10.1 Germany
Large businesses can open a foreign currency account with Deutsche Bank to receive and hold multiple currencies. For details on currencies you can hold, fees to open your account, maintenance charges, and transfer fees, please contact your local branch. Payoneer is a better option for small businesses.
For individuals, Wise’s multi-currency account is an excellent option to hold and manage 55+ currencies.
For those who are looking to only transfer EUR in the EEA or a robust travel money card, you can’t go wrong with N26.
10.2 Singapore
DBS, Citibank, and HSBC are your best options if you’re looking to open a foreign currency account with a high street bank. They all let you hold major currencies including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, etc (10+ currencies supported), and DBS even offers a multi-currency debit card that would be helpful for frequent travelers.
Alternatives to traditional multi-currency accounts in Singapore are Wise (for both individuals and businesses) and Payoneer (for small businesses).
10.3 Philippines
Security Bank, Maybank (only USD account), DBP, PNB, HSBC, Citibank all offer foreign currency accounts in the Philippines.
Alternatives to traditional multi-currency accounts in the Philippines include Payoneer (for small businesses) and Wise (but note that the Wise multi-currency debit card is not available in the Philippines).
10.4 India
You can get a multi-currency account with SBI, HDFC, Axis Bank, and ICICI Bank.
Unfortunately, Wise doesn’t offer its multi-currency service in India, so individuals are limited to traditional foreign currency accounts with banks.
However, Payoneer has an excellent presence in India, which is good news for small businesses looking to expand their global presence.
Final Word
A multi-currency account could be a great solution for individuals and businesses involved with multiple currencies.
But you need to be aware of their drawbacks as it’s not for everyone (jump here to a rundown of the pros and cons). In the past they were for multinational companies or rich people who could afford the fees.
Fortunately, we now have alternatives that are much more affordable, secure, and flexible.
From our experience, Wise, Payoneer, and N26 are 3 great alternatives with Wise our top pick. (You can see our detailed summary of each here).
Clickhereto make sure you can get the Wise account.
Of the 3, Wise is the best overall option for individuals or small businesses looking for an easy and cheaper way to receive, hold, and spend in different currencies — plus, you can hold balances in 55+ currencies!
Payoneer is great for small businesses that want extra business features (like linking to popular online marketplaces), while N26 is the choice for those that just want a debit card that lets you spend in many currencies without added fees.
We hope you have a better idea of the multi-currency account options out there. Remember — expensive banks aren’t the only choice anymore and there are more cost-effective ways.
Certainly! The article covers a wide array of information regarding multi-currency accounts, exploring their definitions, benefits, drawbacks, and alternatives across various countries. Let's break down the concepts mentioned:
-
Multi-currency Account Definition:
- A multi-currency account allows holding, sending, and receiving funds in various foreign currencies within a single account, enabling better management of international transactions.
-
Benefits:
- Holding multiple currencies in one place for better rate conversions.
- Receiving payments in different currencies.
- Spending in different currencies without incurring conversion fees.
-
When a Multi-currency Account Works For You:
- Suitable for individuals or businesses handling multiple currencies and international transactions.
- Ideal for those needing to send/receive payments in various currencies.
-
Drawbacks of Bank Multi-currency Accounts:
- Traditional bank multi-currency accounts often have higher fees, high minimum balances, limited currency support, and longer processing times.
-
Alternatives:
- Services like Wise, Revolut, and Payoneer offer alternatives with lower fees, broader currency support, and online convenience.
-
Best Alternatives to Multi-Currency Accounts:
- Detailed descriptions of Wise, Revolut, and Payoneer, highlighting their features, currency support, fees, and suitability for different users.
-
How to Choose a Service:
- Depends on transaction volume and specific business needs.
- Larger businesses may benefit from bank-operated multi-currency accounts, while smaller ones can opt for alternatives like Wise for cost-effectiveness and transparency.
-
Best Options by Country:
- Specific details for the UK, USA, Europe, Canada, Australia, and other regions, outlining bank offerings and alternative solutions.
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Final Recommendations:
- Emphasizes that multi-currency accounts are no longer exclusive to multinational corporations or high-income individuals due to the availability of more affordable, secure, and flexible alternatives like Wise, Payoneer, and N26.
-
Conclusion:
- Encourages exploring alternatives to expensive bank options, highlighting Wise as the top pick due to its versatility, broader currency support, and cost-effectiveness.
The article essentially aims to guide readers through the complexities of managing multiple currencies by offering insights into various account types, their suitability for different users, and cost-effective alternatives available in different regions worldwide.
