International
Optimum bank account
Open the doorway to flexible and convenient international banking. A new world awaits.
£
5 000
Minimum opening deposit
$
7 000
Minimum opening deposit
€
7 000
Minimum opening deposit
AU$
7 000
Minimum opening deposit
£
5 000
Minimum account balance
$
7 000
Minimum account balance
€
7 000
Minimum account balance
AU$
7 000
Minimum account balance
£
60
*
Quarterly Maintenance fee
$
90
*
Quarterly Maintenance fee
€
90
*
Quarterly Maintenance fee
AU$
90
*
Quarterly Maintenance fee
GBP, USD, EUR, AUD
Supported currencies
*
If minimum balance not maintained
*
If minimum balance not maintained
*
If minimum balance not maintained
*
If minimum balance not maintained
Benefits of Optimum bank account
Full service
Get day-to-day banking, foreign exchange services, international savings options, and more
Digital banking
Our online and mobile banking services place international banking right at your fingertips
Major currencies
You get to choose whether you bank in sterling, US or Australian dollars, or euros
Seamless
Manage all your international banking savings and investments from one centralised login
What you get
- An international bank account available in GBP, USD, EUR and AUD
- Unlimited deposits and withdrawals when banking at home or abroad
- A Visa debit card for easy payments and withdrawals worldwide *
- Access to international savings accounts and foreign exchange
- Standing Orders on all Optimum bank accounts and Direct Debits on sterling accounts
- Internet banking for international payments, transfers and to manage your account
- Mobile banking to manage, view, link and transfer funds between your accounts
* Fees and charges apply
See Optimum account fact sheet
What it costs
- No account maintenance fee if a minimum balance is maintained *
- Visa debit card annual fee - £15/$25/€20/AU$25
- Visa debit card withdrawal fees - 1.75% (minimum £2/$3/€3/AU$3.50)
- See the pricing guide for details on transaction fees
* The average balance over any quarter must not fall below the minimum opening balance amount. Should this happen, an account maintenance fee of £ 60, US$ 90, € 90, AU$90 per quarter applies.
- You need to be 18 years or older
- Make the minimum opening deposit
- Proof of address and identity (certified or original copies)
-
What you get
- An international bank account available in GBP, USD, EUR and AUD
- Unlimited deposits and withdrawals when banking at home or abroad
- A Visa debit card for easy payments and withdrawals worldwide *
- Access to international savings accounts and foreign exchange
- Standing Orders on all Optimum bank accounts and Direct Debits on sterling accounts
- Internet banking for international payments, transfers and to manage your account
- Mobile banking to manage, view, link and transfer funds between your accounts
* Fees and charges apply
See Optimum account fact sheet
- No account maintenance fee if a minimum balance is maintained *
- Visa debit card annual fee - £15/$25/€20/AU$25
- Visa debit card withdrawal fees - 1.75% (minimum £2/$3/€3/AU$3.50)
- See the pricing guide for details on transaction fees
* The average balance over any quarter must not fall below the minimum opening balance amount. Should this happen, an account maintenance fee of £ 60, US$ 90, € 90, AU$90 per quarter applies.
- You need to be 18 years or older
- Make the minimum opening deposit
- Proof of address and identity (certified or original copies)
Product Interest Rates
View International Personal Banking - Variable Interest Rates
Frequently asked questions
How does a foreign currency account work?
A foreign currency account enables international clients to diversify, transact and save, in a currency of their choice. The following currencies are supported: GBP Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro or Australian Dollars.
Which is the best country to open an international bank account?
- Determining the best country in which to open an international bank account must be considered in terms of one’s specific needs.
- The Isle of Man, is a crown-dependency located in the British Isles that is independent of the UK and the EU.
- The Isle of Man is an attractive destination for international expatriates and non-residents due to its economic stability, mature financial sector and investor-friendly regulatory environment.
- Having established a presence in the Isle of Man over 30-years ago, we assist our clients to securely transact, save and invest internationally with ease, in a range of currency options.
Can I pay online internationally with my Visa debit card?
- Once you have successfully opened your international bank account, you’ll be able to activate your Visa Debit Card and register for Internet and/or Mobile Banking.
- Once your Visa Debit card has been activated, you’ll be able to make online international payments as well as easy point-of-sale payments and withdrawals, worldwide.
How do I open an international account?
- You must be 18 years or older to open an account.
- Applicants are required to supply proof of address and identity, and must meet the minimum opening deposit amount of £5,000, EU7,000 or US$7,000.
- For more information, South African applicants can email us at [email protected]
- All other applicants, outside of South Africa can email [email protected]
-
How does a foreign currency account work?
-
Which is the best country to open an international bank account?
-
Can I pay online internationally with my Visa debit card?
-
How do I open an international account?
A foreign currency account enables international clients to diversify, transact and save, in a currency of their choice. The following currencies are supported: GBP Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro or Australian Dollars.
- Determining the best country in which to open an international bank account must be considered in terms of one’s specific needs.
- The Isle of Man, is a crown-dependency located in the British Isles that is independent of the UK and the EU.
- The Isle of Man is an attractive destination for international expatriates and non-residents due to its economic stability, mature financial sector and investor-friendly regulatory environment.
- Having established a presence in the Isle of Man over 30-years ago, we assist our clients to securely transact, save and invest internationally with ease, in a range of currency options.
- Once you have successfully opened your international bank account, you’ll be able to activate your Visa Debit Card and register for Internet and/or Mobile Banking.
- Once your Visa Debit card has been activated, you’ll be able to make online international payments as well as easy point-of-sale payments and withdrawals, worldwide.
- You must be 18 years or older to open an account.
- Applicants are required to supply proof of address and identity, and must meet the minimum opening deposit amount of £5,000, EU7,000 or US$7,000.
- For more information, South African applicants can email us at [email protected]
- All other applicants, outside of South Africa can email [email protected]
Tips and guidance
Visa debit cards
Visa debit cards
Learn more about the benefits of shopping securely and conveniently using a Visa debit card
Online payments and transfers
Online payments and transfers
Getting started? Learn more about making payments and transfers.
Useful payment information
Useful payment information
Learn more about setting up direct debits, stop order and payment details for regular payments
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