Best business bank account for small businesses in South Asia [2026]

See how four business bank accounts for small businesses in Pakistan and Bangladesh compare on fees, foreign currency support and eligibility

Key takeaways

• Business bank accounts help small businesses in Pakistan and Bangladesh access payment transfers, cash flow and everyday banking
• Meezan Bank offers freelancer accounts, including a PKR account and a foreign currency account
• Standard Chartered provides business and foreign currency accounts across all three countries, with features varying by market
• BRAC Bank Shadhin current account supports Bangladeshi businesses with fee waivers when balance requirements are met
• Mutual Trust Bank’s ERQ account allows eligible Bangladeshi exporters to retain a portion of export earnings in foreign currency
• WorldFirst works alongside a business bank account with multi-currency accounts, international payments and marketplace collections

Business bank accounts for small businesses in Pakistan and Bangladesh vary widely, from freelancer-focused digital accounts to exporter retention accounts that let eligible businesses hold a portion of their foreign earnings in USD, GBP or EUR.

Choosing between them depends on the type of business, the source of income and how much foreign currency flexibility you need. This guide compares four options across fees, foreign currency support, digital banking and eligibility. It also covers how the World Account from WorldFirst can work alongside a business bank account for handling regular international payments.

What to look for in a business bank account

• Account fees: Compare account opening fees, minimum balance requirements and ongoing account charges
• International payments: Check whether the account supports foreign currency receipts, remittances or export payments
• Digital banking: Look for online and mobile banking to manage payments and account activity
• Business cards: Consider whether the account includes a business debit or payment card for business spending
• Eligibility: Review who can open the account and the documentation or business type required
• Shariah compliance: Businesses in Pakistan may prefer Islamic banking accounts that comply with Shariah principles

Top business bank accounts for small businesses in South Asia

Freelancer account by Meezan Bank

Meezan Bank offers banking solutions for freelancers and solopreneurs in Pakistan through its Digital Freelancer Account and the Exporter’s Special Foreign Currency Account (ESFCA).^1,2 These accounts enable eligible freelancers to receive local and international payments, access online banking and manage export earnings.^1,2 The two account options serve different freelancer banking needs:

• Digital freelancer account: A PKR current or savings account only for new-to-bank freelancers, opened digitally with no initial deposit. It includes online banking, cheque books (for current accounts) and supports local and international remittances in PKR¹
• ESFCA: Allows eligible freelancers to hold international earnings in USD, GBP and EUR, up to USD 5,000 per month or 50% of monthly export income (whichever is higher) for future business payments or conversion into PKR²

Pricing: No initial deposit requirement for the digital account¹

*Fees checked in July 2026

Standard Chartered current account

Standard Chartered offers business banking solutions across Pakistan and Bangladesh, including business current accounts and foreign currency accounts for eligible customers.^3,4,5 Account eligibility, minimum balance requirements and foreign currency capabilities differ by country:

• Pakistan: The foreign currency current account supports USD, GBP and EUR balances with online banking access.⁴ It requires an initial deposit and minimum balance of US$/GB£/EU€2,000, and funds can be withdrawn by cheque only (no ATM access)⁴
• Bangladesh: The business current account supports local business transactions with cheque books and cash flow management features.⁵ It requires a minimum opening deposit of BDT 500,000 and does not offer foreign currency balances⁵

Pricing: Not specified

*Fees checked in July 2026

Shadhin current account by BRAC Bank

BRAC Bank’s Shadhin current account is a business current account designed for small business owners in Bangladesh.⁶ Businesses maintaining a monthly average balance of BDT 25,000 receive waived account maintenance, debit card and cheque book fees.⁶ It is a local business current account and does not support holding foreign currency balances or multi-currency banking.⁶

Pricing: Minimum opening deposit of BDT 1,000⁶

*Fees checked in July 2026

ERQ account by Mutual Trust Bank PLC

The MTB Exporters Retention Quota (ERQ) Account is a foreign currency account for Bangladeshi service exporters, freelancers and outsourcing professionals receiving export earnings.⁷ Eligible customers can keep 30%-35% of their export earnings in foreign currency, as permitted by Bangladesh Bank.⁷ The remaining amount can be converted into BDT and credited to a linked local bank account. The account includes a no-cost international prepaid card for the first year.⁷

Pricing: Zero opening balance and zero account maintenance fee⁷

*Fees checked in July 2026

WorldFirst: A multi-currency account for your international operations

WorldFirst is an international payments provider, and the World Account is a multi-currency account that works alongside an existing business bank account to help businesses send, receive, hold and convert international payments.

Businesses can open local receiving accounts in 15+ currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR and CNH, receive payments from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways such as Amazon, Etsy and Stripe, and send payments in 100+ currencies across 200+ countries and regions.

The account also supports instant transfers between World Account holders at no cost, integrates with Xero and NetSuite, and enables payments to 1688.com suppliers through World Pay (the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com).

Businesses can also issue Mastercard-powered World Cards, including up to 20 virtual multi-currency cards at zero issuance cost. Payments made in supported account currencies incur no foreign exchange fees when sufficient balance is available in that currency.

Pricing for the World Account

 *Fees checked in July 2026

FAQs

What is the best business bank account for small businesses in South Asia?

The right account depends on your business needs, such as domestic banking, international payments, freelancing or export activities. Compare fees, payment features, digital banking and eligibility before choosing.

Do business bank accounts in Pakistan and Bangladesh support international payments?

Some do. Certain business and multi-currency accounts like the World Account support receiving or sending international payments, while others are designed primarily for domestic banking.

What documents are needed to open a business bank account?

Requirements vary by provider and country but commonly include business registration documents, identity and address proof of authorised signatories, tax registration details and any additional KYC documents required by the bank.

Can WorldFirst replace a business bank account?

No. WorldFirst is not a bank, and the World Account is not a business bank account. It is a multi-currency account that works alongside an existing business bank account to support international payments and cross-border business operations.

What is a foreign currency account and how does it differ from a business bank account?

A foreign currency account allows businesses to receive, hold and sometimes send funds in supported foreign currencies. A business bank account is used for everyday banking activities such as local payments, cash management and business operations, although some business bank accounts also offer foreign currency features.

Sources:

1. https://www.meezanbank.com/digital-freelancer-account/
2. https://www.meezanbank.com/freelancer-accounts/
3. https://www.sc.bank.in/important-information/exchange-earners-foreign-currency/
4. https://www.sc.com/pk/save/foreign-currency-account/
5. https://www.sc.com/bd/business/current-account/
6. https://www.bracbank.com/en/sme/accounts/shadhin-current-account
7. https://www.mutualtrustbank.com/retail/deposit-products/foreign-currency-account/mtb-erq-account/

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.