5 Best International Banks for Worldwide Banking in 2025

Many banks claim to be “international,” but that label rarely holds up when you try to send a cross-border payment, hold multiple currencies, or reach support after hours. That’s usually when most people realise that their banks are not the right bank for their needs.

For entrepreneurs, remote teams, and globally active businesses, these gaps aren’t just inconvenient; they can damage credibility, disrupt cash flow, and even hurt the bottom line.

That’s why choosing the right banking partner matters. In this article, I will share the five best banks in 2025 that are genuinely equipped for international banking, such as banks that combine global reach with practical features and reliability. If you’re managing money across borders, you won’t want to miss this!

An international bank is a bank that operates across different countries. Unlike local or national banks that focus on serving people within a single country, international banks help customers and businesses with financial needs across borders.

A bank could be considered “international” when it:

• Has offices, branches, or partnerships in multiple countries.
• Offers services in multiple countries and currencies.
• Helps customers manage money in more than one country.
• Supports international trade and global business banking.

When you look for a bank for international banking capabilities, here are some of the services you need to look for: 

• Multi-currency Capabilities: A multi-currency account allows you to hold and use different currencies in one place—no more opening separate accounts or paying automatic exchange fees every time you get paid in euros or need to send yen. It helps you avoid unnecessary conversions and makes invoicing, paying suppliers, or holding reserves in multiple currencies easier. 
• Local Payout Networks This is an alternative method to pay in foreign currencies. With the local network, you can transfer funds to businesses and individuals cheaper than traditional SWIFT transfers. 

• FX Tools: FX tools (like forward contracts or rate locks) help protect you from FX exposure and market fluctuations. These tools allow you to lock in favorable exchange rates and manage currency risk more effectively.
• Global ATM access: Upon arriving in a new country, accessing cash can become a challenge if your bank blocks transactions or imposes high withdrawal fees. To avoid such issues, choose a bank that offers global ATM access, enabling fee-free withdrawals at international ATMs or those partnered with global networks.
• Remote Account Opening: Look for a service that lets you open and verify accounts entirely online—no need to visit a branch. This is especially useful for digital nomads and busy executives.

If you find that a bank is missing one or two of these services, then it is not a suitable option as an international bank.

Now that we’ve covered what to look for in a truly international bank, let’s take a look at the options. These are the banks that offer the right mix of global access, essential features, and reliable support for worldwide banking.

J.P. Morgan Chase, founded in 1799, is a multinational investment bank and financial services holding company headquartered in New York City, United States.

The bank serves both individual and corporate clients in over 100 countries, with offices located across Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. It is particularly known for investment banking, commercial banking, asset management, and its credit card under the Chase brand.

According to its latest annual report in 2024, the bank holds total assets of about USD 4 trillion. In Q1 2025, the bank also reported revenue of USD 46.01 billion, exceeding expectations thanks to strong equity trading performance.

Since they are not focused on retail banking, there is limited information on their international ATM networks.

Pros and Cons of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

The Bank of America is an American multinational investment bank and financial services holding company, founded in 1904 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. They started as one of the biggest banks in America and have expanded internationally to a worldwide customer base, with local offices in 35+ countries, including Spain, Germany, and Japan, and more.  

The bank serves personal clients, small businesses, and businesses & institutions. It offers commercial banking, investment banking, consumer banking, and wealth management. They also have a strong presence in small business lending.

According to Bank of America's 2024 annual report, the company recorded a net income of USD 27.1 billion. For Q1 2025, revenue reached USD 27.51 billion, surpassing expectations of USD 26.99 billion.

Bank of America has international partner ATMs, but using them may still incur certain fees. 

Pros and Cons of Bank of America

Citigroup is a global investment bank and financial services corporation formed through the merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group in 1998. It is one of the largest and most known banks in the world, being present in about 180 countries, with on the ground location in 90+ countries. 

The bank specialises in consumer financial products such as credit cards, mortgages, personal and commercial loans, and international transactions through online wire transfer. They also offer free transfers between Citibank accounts in different countries via Citibank® Global Transfers, and cross-border private banking in over 160 countries through a service called “Global Client Service”. 

According to Citi's 2024 annual report, the bank's revenues totaled USD 81.1 billion, with total assets amounting to approximately USD 2.35 trillion. For the first quarter of 2025, Citi reported revenues of USD 21.6 billion.

Citibank ATMs are available in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Pros and Cons of CitiGroup

HSBC (Holdings PLC) is a British multinational investment bank and financial services holding company founded in 1865. Today, HSBC has grown to become one of the biggest banks in the world

The bank’s core international segments include Wealth and Personal Banking (WPB) for individual customers and Commercial Banking (CMB) for domestic and international clients. HSBC is also famous for offering a multi-currency expat bank account and for a strong presence in the UK, China and Southeast Asia. 

According to its 2024 annual report, HSBC operates in 58 countries and territories, serving approximately 41 million customers worldwide. The bank reported a total of USD 3.0 trillion in assets and a net interest income of USD 32.7 billion, with personal banking contributing 42% of total revenue.

HSBC provide access to over 55,000 ATMs worldwide.

Pros and Cons of HSBC

Standard Chartered is a multinational bank and financial services company based in London, UK. It was founded in 1969 through the merger of The Standard Bank of British South Africa and the Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China.

The bank operates globally, with over 1,000 branches in over 50 markets, and provides services to individuals, businesses, and corporations. Known for its expertise in emerging markets, Standard Chartered has a particularly strong presence in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

According to Standard Chartered’s 2024 annual report, the bank reported an operating income of USD 19.7 billion.

​Standard Chartered has an ATM network in the countries where it is present. However, international ATM levies may apply. 

Pros and Cons of Standard Chartered

The ideal international bank depends on your specific financial goals and circumstances. However, to quickly assess whether a bank is the right fit, start by answering these four key questions:

• Do they serve your country/region? While international banks offer wide international reach, it’s crucial to confirm that they operate in or cover the specific country you're visiting or doing business in. A strong regional presence—or partnerships with local institutions—can make cross-border banking more efficient and cost-effective.
• Can you hold and move money in the currencies you use?  Some banks allow transfers in several currencies but limit which ones you can hold and require automatic conversions, which will increase costs. If you deal with multiple currencies, check that the bank supports both holding and transferring the ones you use. A foreign currency account or a multi-currency account is especially valuable as it can help you save more on conversion fees.
• Are their fees clear and fair? International banking often comes with layered fees—currency conversion markups, transaction fees, monthly maintenance fees, overseas ATM withdrawal fees, and more. Choose a bank that clearly discloses all costs and offers competitive rates in line with comparable institutions.
• Is customer support accessible and responsive? Dealing with different time zones, language barriers, and cross-border transactions can make banking complicated. You need a bank that’s easy to reach, whether it’s by phone, email, or live chat. Multilingual support and a dedicated relationship manager is a good addition. 
  

Choosing an international bank isn’t just about having a global name on your account, but it’s about finding a partner that truly supports your cross-border needs. The five banks listed here stand out for their ability to combine reach, reliability, and real functionality. Whether you're an entrepreneur, expat, or managing an international business, the right banking setup can help you move faster, pay less, and operate with confidence worldwide.