For international travelers, getting the best banks to handle their transactions can sometimes be hectic.
Moving overseas or traveling long-term can get tricky when it comes to managing your money.
You need banking and financial services that meet your lifestyle needs, especially access to your accounts and funds abroad.
Choosing the right bank is key. You want one that offers excellent digital tools, low fees, and global access.
Whether you’re an expat living abroad or traveling extensively as a digital nomad, your ideal bank should make international banking easy and convenient.
This article reviews the top 10 best banks for international travelers and expats.
We’ll cover what features to look for and the benefits of each recommended bank. Read on to find the perfect fit for your abroad lifestyle.
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What to Look for in a Bank for Travelers and Expats
When researching banks, keep the following criteria in mind:
1. No Foreign Transaction Fees – These irritating fees often apply when you use your debit or credit card abroad. Avoid banks that charge them.
2. Fee-Free ATM Withdrawals – Choose a bank that refunds ATM fees you’re charged overseas. This saves you money.
3. Digital Banking Access – Manage your accounts easily online or via mobile app.
4. Account Access Abroad – You should be able to access your money from international branches or partner banks.
5. Money Transfer Options – Look for low-cost international money transfers to move funds abroad.
6. Multilingual Support – English plus other language options ensure you can communicate easily.
The Top 10 Best Banks for International Travelers and Expats
Based on the criteria above, these are our top picks for the best banks for international travelers and ex-pats:
1. Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab is fantastic for traveling globally thanks to its great digital tools, unlimited fee-free ATM access, and no foreign transaction fees.
You can open Schwab accounts remotely online without visiting a branch.
Manage your accounts via the web or mobile app. Withdraw money anywhere with online bill pay options.
Schwab refunds all ATM fees worldwide so you can access cash freely. There are also no foreign transaction fees on debit cards.
Overall, Schwab makes banking while traveling internationally smooth and cost-effective.
2. HSBC
HSBC is one of the largest banks worldwide. Services include Premier checking and savings accounts that let you manage money globally.
Access accounts online, via mobile, or at over 4,000 international branches.
HSBC Premier earns unlimited monthly fee-free transactions at global ATMs. You also get free incoming and outgoing international wires.
Transfer money abroad easily with the Global Transfers feature.
With multilingual 24/7 support and advanced digital banking, HSBC meets the needs of world travelers and expats. You can open Premier accounts remotely or in a branch.
3. Capital One
Capital One offers several checking accounts with excellent features for international usage.
The biggest benefits are no foreign transaction fees and fee-free ATM access abroad.
Use any ATM overseas with their top-tier checking accounts to withdraw cash without fees.
There are also fast digital money transfers to send funds internationally. Capital One makes it simple to bank from anywhere.
Access accounts online and via mobile app in the US or abroad. With strong digital tools and worldwide usage perks, it’s a top pick.
4. Bank of America
Bank of America serves clients globally through branches, accounts, credit cards, and more.
The Premium Rewards card offers a major perk for world travelers – no foreign transaction fees.
You can also open accounts before traveling or moving abroad. Then bank online or use card/ATM access worldwide.
International wire transfers and global money-sending options are available.
Bank of America has over 4,500 branches and 16,000 ATMs in 40 countries to provide account access. They also offer multilingual support.
5. TD Bank
TD Bank provides account access in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, and more.
Digital banking options make it easy to manage accounts and move money from anywhere.
TD Bank’s cross-border account lets you seamlessly transfer funds between the US and Canada. You also get free ATM access in their networks and free incoming wires.
Top benefits include no monthly fees, monthly maintenance fees, minimum balances, or foreign transaction fees.
Overall, TD Bank is a top international banking choice.
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6. Ally Bank
Ally Bank makes world travel and expat life easier with top digital tools, great savings rates, and no monthly fees. Access accounts online/via mobile app 24/7.
Use their debit card globally with no foreign transaction fees. Ally also reimburses up to $10 in other banks’ ATM fees per month.
Manage savings and checking accounts easily. Transfer money internationally for free. Ally’s excellent digital banking experience facilitates global use.
7. Citibank
Citibank offers full-service international banking to consumers and businesses.
Access accounts at branches across the globe. Citibank has over 200,000 ATMs worldwide for fee-free cash access.
Top-tier checking and savings accounts feature no monthly fees, minimums, or foreign transaction fees.
Digital banking options allow account access anywhere. Send money to over 200 countries and 130 currencies.
Multilingual customer support and worldwide account management make Citibank ideal for world travelers and expats. Open accounts in select countries online.
8. HSBC Premier
HSBC Premier provides global banking solutions and services for world travelers and expats.
Perks like unlimited monthly fee-free transactions at ATMs worldwide make banking abroad easy.
Access accounts digitally on desktop, mobile, and via over 4,000 international branches. Send money abroad with Global Transfers or wire transfers.
Premier checking features no monthly fees and several ways to waive other fees.
Multilingual 24/7 customer service provides helpful assistance anywhere.
9. Chase
Chase offers excellent bank accounts with travel benefits and global access.
The Chase Sapphire Checking account features no foreign transaction fees and access to over 16,000 fee-free ATMs.
Use the Chase Mobile app to bank anywhere in the world. Make deposits, check balances, pay bills, and more. Send money digitally with Global Transfer features.
Chase has over 4,700 branches and 16,000 ATMs nationally. Their credit cards also come with travel insurance, rewards, and perks.
10. American Express
While not a full bank, American Express offers robust banking solutions for an international clientele.
Their Platinum card packs benefits like global lounge access, travel perks/protections, and no foreign transaction fees.
The Amex app allows account management, spending oversight, and transfers.
Use digital wallet options like Apple Pay abroad, or request international wire transfers as needed.
American Express also partners with international banks to provide account access globally.
With superior travel benefits and digital account management, it completes our top ten list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about banking abroad or while traveling long-term:
How Do I Access Money Overseas?
Choose a bank that offers fee-free withdrawals from international ATMs. This allows cash access without expensive fees.
A debit card with no foreign transaction fees ensures you can make purchases abroad too.
Can I Manage Bank Accounts Digitally From Abroad?
Yes, online and mobile banking make it easy to manage your finances anywhere in the world.
Just ensure your bank offers robust digital account management tools before traveling or moving overseas.
What’s the Best Way to Transfer Money Internationally?
Banks like HSBC, Capital One, and Citibank allow fast digital transfers between accounts held in different countries.
Wire transfers are another option. Just watch out for high fees with some banks.
Should I Notify My Bank Before Traveling?
Yes, it’s wise to notify your bank of countries you’ll visit ahead of time.
This prevents potential account flags or holds due to unusual foreign spending. Keeping banks informed ensures access abroad.
How Do I Open a Bank Account Remotely?
Many major banks like HSBC, Charles Schwab, Capital One, and Citibank allow you to open checking, savings, or credit card accounts entirely online.
Just provide the required ID documents and personal details virtually to get started.
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Conclusion
Choosing the right bank for frequent international travel or living as an expat directly affects your finances.
You need flexible, convenient access to your money abroad and money transfers/savings options that work globally.
The top banks featured here allow account management via digital platforms anywhere.
Excellent travel benefits like no foreign transaction fees, worldwide ATM/branch access, and global transfers make banking overseas smooth.
Any of these recommended banks can provide the international account features, financial tools, and excellent service you need.
Just match their strengths to your priorities to select the perfect fit.
With the right international bank partnership, you can travel and live abroad stress-free knowing your finances are easily managed.
The financial institutions profiled in this guide will meet your unique needs and simplify money management from anywhere.
