For those of you who tend to live and work abroad, or you travel often, you may want to consider an international bank account with a wide network of physical branches. Having a physical location to go to for your banking needs has its perks. Such perks may include easily depositing funds, avoid expensive foreign transaction fees, and asking any questions you may have to a person. Continue reading to learn more about the best international banks with branches worldwide.
*Check out our other bank bonuses from banks like Huntington, HSBC, Chase, TD, Bank of America, Citibank, and more*
HSBC
HSBC’s international presence is very large, with nearly 4,000 branches and offices in 65 countries and territories around the world. The bank provides several traveler-friendly services such as the ability to send money via wire transfer fee-free and move funds between HSBC accounts in multiple countries. If you’re relocating to another country, they’ll even let you open an account before you arrive.
HSBC Bank Premier Checking accountholders enjoy:
- No annual fees.
- No ATM fees worldwide.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Up to 10 different currencies in your account, with no currency exchange markup.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay compatibility.
- Emergency cash up to $10,000, should your wallet be lost or stolen.
- Premier customer support 24/7.
To qualify for the Premier account, you must:
- Maintain a minimum balance of $75,000 in linked accounts with the bank, or
- Have monthly third-party direct deposits of at least $5,000, or
- An HSBC U.S. residential mortgage loan with an original loan amount of at least $500,000.
 • Get up to $600 with a 3% Cash Bonus Checking Offer when you open a new HSBC Premier checking account and complete the following qualifying activities. • Open your new HSBC Premier checking account online by August 31, 2021; and • Set up Qualifying Direct Deposits into your new HSBC Premier checking account; and then • Enjoy 3% Cash Bonus, up to $600, on Qualifying Direct Deposits up to $100 per month, during the first 6 calendar months after account opening • You will automatically receive the 3% Cash Bonus in your new HSBC Premier checking account approximately eight weeks after completing that month's qualifying activities. Deposit products are offered in the U.S. by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Member FDIC. |
• Get a $450 Welcome Deposit for eligible new customers who open a new HSBC Premier checking account and complete the following qualifying activities. • Open your new HSBC Premier checking account online by August 31, 2021; and • Make recurring monthly Qualifying Direct Deposits totaling at least $5,000 from a third party to your HSBC Premier checking account(s) for 3 consecutive calendar months from the second full calendar month after account opening. • You will automatically receive the $450 Welcome Deposit in your new HSBC Premier checking account approximately eight weeks after completing all qualifying activities. It's that simple. Deposit products are offered in the U.S. by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Member FDIC. |
If you don’t meet the Premier qualifications or don’t need certain features that the account offers, consider the HSBC Bank Advance Checking account, which features surcharge-free HSBC ATM withdrawals and up to four non-HSBC ATM rebates every month.
HSBC International Branches
| REGION | COUNTRIES WITH HSBC BRANCHES |
| North & Latin America | Argentina, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, United States, Uruguay, Virgin Islands |
| Europe | Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Channel Islands, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| Africa & Middle East | Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE |
| Asia-Pacific | Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Maldives, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan |
Citibank
Citibank boasts over 1,800 branches overseas, with a particularly robust presence in Mexico (operated by its subsidiary Banamex). The bank provides a wide ATM network of approximately 45,000 machines across 30 countries. With a Citibank International Personal Bank Account, you’ll be able to make free international transfers to other Citi accounts, and have foreign currencies delivered the next day to your home, office or closest Citibank branch. Other highlights include:
- No monthly or yearly fees*
- No set-up costs
- No ATM fees worldwide**
- No foreign transaction fees
- International toll-free customer service number
*Minimum balance requirement.
**Owner ATM fees may still apply.
Citibank International Branches
| REGION | COUNTRIES WITH HSBC BRANCHES |
| North & Latin America | Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States |
| Europe | Ireland, United Kingdom, Poland, Russia |
| Africa & Middle East | Bahrain*, Egypt, United Arab Emirates |
| Asia-Pacific | Australia*, China*, Hong Kong, India*, Indonesia*, Macau, Malaysia*, Philippines*, Singapore, South Korea*, Taiwan*, Thailand*, Vietnam* |
*Please note: Citigroup made an announcement in April 2021 that they will discontinue consumer banking in Australia, Bahrain, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Charles Schwab
Charles Scwhab offers 360 branches around the world to choose from, primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. Their High Yield Investor Checking Account reimburses all ATM fees you incur, and it doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees. Other perks include:
- No monthly or yearly fees
- No minimum balance requirement
- 24/7 online customer support chat
Charles Schwab International Branches
| REGION | COUNTRIES WITH HSBC BRANCHES |
| North & Latin America | Canada, United States |
| Europe | United Kingdom |
| Africa & Middle East | – |
| Asia-Pacific | Hong Kong |
Fidelity Bank
Fidelity Investments runs 46 offices across 27 countries, including the UK and Ireland, India, Germany and Canada. If you have an investment account with Fidelity, you can use your Cash Management Account debit card to withdraw cash with unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide. You’ll also enjoy:
- No account fees or minimums.
- Wide ATM access to more than one million ATMs worldwide.
- A relatively small foreign transaction fee (1%) for non-U.S. dollar transactions.
- 24/7 support via phone, as well as live chat and Twitter.
Fidelity International Branches
| REGION | COUNTRIES WITH HSBC BRANCHES |
| North & Latin America | Bermuda, Canada, United States |
| Europe | Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, United Kingdom |
| Africa & Middle East | – |
| Asia-Pacific | China, Hong Kong, India, Japan |
Best International Banks With Branches Worldwide By Region
| REGION | BEST BANKS WITH BRANCHES WORLDWIDE |
| North America | HSBC, Citibank, Fidelity, Charles Schwab |
| Latin America | HSBC, Santander, Citibank |
| Europe | HSBC, Credit Agricole, Santander, Barclays, Standard Chartered, Charles Schwab |
| Middle East | HSBC |
| Africa | HSBC, Societe Generale, Attijariwafa |
| Asia-Pacific | HSBC, Standard Chartered, Bank of China, ICBC |
Bonus Tool: Wise
Aside from visiting a physical branch to do your banking while your travelling abroad, you can use Wise (formerly TransferWise) which lets you transfer money internationally. It is quickly becoming an alternative to PayPal, due to its low and transparent fees at true mid-market exchange rates. As of right now, you can send money to over 70 countries and receive money from more than 40 countries, across more than 45 currencies. Compare it with other top money transfer services.
Bottom Line
For those of you who are globetrotters who like to travel the world for leisure or for business, selecting an international bank with branches worldwide is the best option for you. This allows you to do your banking when you are at home and when you are on the go. This is especially great if you prefer to do your banking face to face. For more posts like this, check out our list of bank promotions!
