Compare six international business bank accounts in Singapore and see how a dedicated multi-currency payments account can fit alongside your bank account
Key takeaways
- International business bank accounts support transactions across countries and currencies through multi-currency or foreign currency accounts
- DBS Business Multi-Currency Account, OCBC Multi-Currency Business Account, UOB Corporate Global Currency Account, CIMB Foreign Currency Current Account, Maybank Foreign Currency Current Account and HSBC Global Wallet support international payments for businesses in Singapore.
- World Account operates alongside your domestic SGD account, letting you hold payments in 20+ currencies and send payments across 200+ countries in 100+ currencies.
International business bank accounts are built for global businesses in Singapore, letting them hold multiple currencies, receive foreign currency payouts and send payments in currencies other than SGD. Since these are bank accounts, opening one can involve branch visits, extensive documentation and longer processing times.
A multi-currency account, such as the World Account by WorldFirst, is another option. It can sit alongside a domestic SGD bank account, letting businesses receive, hold, convert and send funds across 20+ currencies without replacing existing banking arrangements.
This guide compares six international business bank accounts in Singapore across features and fees, along with how a multi-currency account fits into cross-border payment workflows.
What is an international business bank account?
An international business bank account is a commercial account designed to support transactions across different countries and currencies. Built for global businesses, these accounts may offer features like multi-currency holdings, local receiving accounts, multi-currency cards, and exchange rate lock-in.
Top international business bank accounts in Singapore
1. DBS Business Multi-Currency Account
DBS Business Multi-Currency Account lets you hold and transact in 13 currencies through a single account.1 It offers 50 FAST and GIRO payments at zero cost every month and a business debit card to spend across 200+ countries. You can lock in foreign exchange rates for five currency pairs including USD/SGD, EUR/SGD, EUR/SGD, GBP/SGD, and JPY/SGD.1
| Feature | Fees1 |
| Account fees | Starter Bundle: S$10 month Standard account: S$50 annual |
| Minimum deposit | Not specified |
| Currencies supported | 13 |
| Debit card | DBS Business Advance+ Debit Card |
| International transfer fees | Receiving fees: Waived2 Sending fees: S$30 flat fee + agent fees |
Fees checked in September 2026
→ Take a look at the complete DBS multi-currency account review to learn more along with the DBS bank alternatives
2. OCBC Multi-Currency Business Account
OCBC Multi-Currency Business Account is available to SMEs registered in Singapore. It lets you send and receive funds as a local in 13 currencies including USD, EUR, AUD, JPY, GBP, and others.3
| Feature | Fees3,4 |
| Account fees | S$10 per month (Waived if your company has an OCBC SGD account) |
| Minimum deposit | S$0 |
| Currencies supported | 13 |
| Debit card | OCBC Business Debit Card |
| International transfer fees | IACH fees: S$304 Receiving fees: S$104 Sending fees: USD30 + agent fees4 |
Fees checked in September 2026
3. UOB Corporate Global Currency Account
UOB Corporate Global Currency Account lets businesses manage international transactions across 10 major currencies.5 Each currency account has a minimum average daily balance requirement (except JPY, EUR, CHF) and applicable fall-below fees.5
| Feature | Fees5 |
| Account fees | Zero |
| Minimum deposit | Varies by currency (USD 1000, GBP 650, EUR 900, CAD 1700) |
| Currencies supported | 10 |
| Debit card | NA |
| International transfer fees | Receiving fees: S$10 or equivalent + agent charges6 Sending fees: 1/16% commission + agent charges7 |
Fees checked in September 2026
4. CIMB Foreign Currency Current Account
CIMB Foreign Currency Current Account lets you transact across seven currencies, including USD. It applies a fall-below fee on currency accounts where the average monthly balance is not maintained. Online account opening is available to Singapore registered businesses via UEN and MyInfo app.8
| Feature | Fees8 |
| Account fees | Zero |
| Minimum deposit | Not specified |
| Currencies supported | 7 |
| Debit card | NA |
| International transfer fees | Receiving fees: S$59 Sending fees:S$20 cable fee + 0.0625% commission + 0.0625% CILE+ applicable agent fee10 |
Fees checked in September 2026
* CILE: Commission-in-lieu of exchange
5. Maybank Foreign Currency Current Account
Maybank Foreign Currency Current Account lets businesses transact across six currencies.11 The account has a minimum deposit requirement of USD 1000 (or equivalent) for each currency account and charges fees if the minimum balance isn’t maintained.12
| Feature | Fees12 |
| Account fees | Zero |
| Minimum deposit | US$1000 (or its equivalent) |
| Currencies supported | 6 |
| Debit card | NA |
| International transfer fees | Receiving fees: Varies depending on currency Sending fees: 0.125% commission + currency-specific processing fee; CILE and agent fees may apply |
Fees checked in September 2026
6. HSBC Global Wallet for SMEs
HSBC Global Wallet for SMEs is a multi-currency account that lets you hold and transact funds across 240+ countries and territories. You can make local payments in 10 currencies and receive AUD, GBP, HKD and USD payments with same-day or next-day clearing. The account applies US$50 and S$70 fall-below fees to USD and SGD accounts.13
| Feature | Fees14 |
| Account fees | Zero |
| Minimum deposit | Not specified |
| Currencies supported | 10 |
| Debit card | NA |
| International transfer fees | Receiving fees: S$10/transaction Sending fees (Local Currency account): 0.125% commission + cable charge + 0.125% CILE + correspondent bank charges |
Fees checked in September 2026
The World Account: A multi-currency account for international businesses
WorldFirst, an international payments provider, offers a multi-currency World Account to send, hold and receive funds in 20+ currencies. It sits alongside your domestic SGD account, helping you manage cross-border transactions.
Here’s everything you can do with a World Account
Collect international payments
Receive payments as a local in 20+ currencies and add the local currency details as payout destinations on 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways
Pay overseas suppliers
World Account holders can send payments in 100+ currencies across 200+ countries and regions. Businesses sourcing through 1688.com can use World Pay, the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com, to pay suppliers directly in CNH. Transfers between World Account holders are instant and incur zero transfer fees
Spend with a multi-currency card
World Account holders can issue up to 20 World Cards with zero issuance fees. These Mastercard-powered virtual debit cards support payments in 150+ currencies. You pay zero FX fees when making international payments in 15 supported currencies, provided you have sufficient balance in the transaction currency
Lock in exchange rates
Businesses can lock in exchange rates for upcoming payments with forward contracts
Reconcile international transactions
International payments across different currency balances sync with Xero and NetSuite, making it easier to reconcile cross-border transactions
| Fees | WorldFirst fees |
| Account fees | Zero |
| Monthly fee | Zero |
| Minimum deposit | Zero |
| Currencies supported | 20 |
| Annual card fees | Zero |
| Currency conversion | Up to 0.6% |
| International transfers | US$5 onwards (SWIFT transactions) |
Fees checked in September 2026
FAQs
1. What is the best international business bank account in Singapore?
International business bank accounts in Singapore differ in supported currencies, minimum balance requirements, access to multi-currency business cards, foreign exchange pricing, exchange-rate lock-ins and digital banking features. There is no single account that fits every use case. Compare these features against how frequently your business makes overseas transactions and the currencies you regularly transact in.
2. Can I open a free international business bank account in Singapore?
Some international business accounts have zero account-opening or monthly fees. However, these free international business bank accounts can still have costs associated with international transfers, currency conversion, fall-below charges or digital banking platform fees. Check both account maintenance and transaction-level charges when comparing accounts.
3. Do international business bank accounts in Singapore include debit cards?
An international business bank account in Singapore does not always include a debit card. However, some multi-currency accounts offer separate cards for international spending. The World Account, for example, offers the World Card, a Mastercard-powered virtual debit card that supports payments in 150+ currencies.
Sources
- https://www.dbs.com.sg/sme/day-to-day/accounts/dbs-business-multi-currency-account
- https://www.dbs.com.sg/documents/276102/282855/pricing-guide.pdf/0773e2ea-4475-834e-d328-8aa396d0679b?t=1681195886177
- https://www.ocbc.com/business-banking/smes/accounts/multi-currency-business-account
- https://www.ocbc.com/business-banking/help-and-support/accounts-and-services/business-pricing-guide
- https://www.uob.com.sg/business/accounts/corporate-global-currency-account.page
- https://www.uob.com.sg/business/help-support/rates-fees/remittance-fees-inward.page
- https://www.uob.com.sg/business/help-support/rates-fees/remittance-fees-outward.page
- https://www.cimb.com.sg/en/business/solutions-products/cash-management/commercial-current-accounts/cimb-foreign-currency-current-account.html
- https://www.cimb.com.sg/en/business/help-support/rates-charges/fees-charges/corporate-pricing-guide/transactions-inward.html
- https://www.cimb.com.sg/en/business/help-support/rates-charges/fees-charges/corporate-pricing-guide/transactions-outward.html
- https://www.maybank2u.com.sg/en/business/global-banking/accounts/current/foreign-currency-current-account.page
- https://www.maybank2u.com.sg/iwov-resources/sg/pdf/business/m2e-pricing-guide.pdf
- https://www.business.hsbc.com.sg/en-sg/campaigns/globalwallet
- https://www.business.hsbc.com.sg/en-sg/download-centre
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.
