Open your Optimum Account today
Whether you’re living, travelling or studying abroad, life is a lot simpler with an international current account. Select the currency that works best for you so you can bank, save and borrow as you want, when you want.
Optimum Bank Account
Life is a lot simpler when you can pay and get paid in a major international currency. The Optimum current account offers you that and much more, like secure 24/7 digital banking and a Visa debit card.
£
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
Why bank with us
Full service offering
Do more than day-to-day banking with international savings, investments, loans and forex
Trusted worldwide
Standard Bank Group has served the banking needs of clients around the globe for nearly 160 years
Accessible anywhere
Use our secure Online Banking or the mobile app to manage your international savings and view account activity.
Global footprint
We have offices in the International Financial Centres of Jersey, Isle of Man and Mauritius
Benefits of the Optimum Bank Account
Major currencies
The choice is yours: open your bank account in sterling, US or Australian dollars, or euros
Easy payments
Your international bank account lets you make and receive transfers from around the globe
Digital first
Transact online or on the mobile app for day-to-day banking transactions, and much more
Visa card
Opt in to get a Visa debit card to pay conveniently online or with tap and go at the till point
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
- Online 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 Bank Account fact sheet
Your Visa debit card unlocks a world of luxury benefits, offers and discounts. Visit the Visa benefits page to learn more.
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.
How to get it
- You need to be 18 years or older
- Make the minimum opening deposit
- Proof of address and identity (certified or original copies)
Terms and Conditions
-
What you get
-
What it costs
-
How to get it
-
Terms and Conditions
- 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
- Online 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 Bank Account fact sheet
Your Visa debit card unlocks a world of luxury benefits, offers and discounts. Visit the Visa benefits page to learn more.
- 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)
ACCOUNT INTEREST RATES
View international personal banking - Variable interest rates
Frequently asked questions
How does a foreign currency account work?
An overseas bank account lets you diversify, transact and save in a chosen foreign currency. Your Optimum current account supports GBP Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and Australian Dollars.
Which is the best country to open an international bank account?
- Deciding where to open a foreign currency account will depend firstly on your specific needs.
- The Isle of Man is a popular destination for international expatriates and non-residents due to its economic stability, mature financial sector and investor-friendly regulatory environment.
- The island is a crown-dependency located in the British Isles that is independent of the UK and the EU.
- These qualities led us to establish a presence in the Isle of Man over 30-years ago from where we assist clients to securely transact, save and invest internationally with ease.
Can I pay online internationally with my Visa debit card?
- Yes, you can activate your Visa debit card through Online Banking or on our Mobile Banking App.
- You can then make easy point-of-sale payments and withdrawals worldwide, as well as online international payments.
How do I open an international account?
- You must be 18 years or older to open an account.
- You will be required to supply proof of address and identity, and must meet the minimum opening deposit amount of £5,000, EU7,000, US$7,000 or AU$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 do I open an international account?
Before you begin, you’ll need:
- Valid passport
- Proof of residential address
- Live identity confirmation via a Selfie
- Proof of income or source of funds
- Specimen signature
Stage 1: Getting started
- Click ‘Apply Online’ to complete a quick 3-question eligibility check.
- If eligible, you’ll be directed to a secure portal to register and set up your login credentials.
- If you’re an existing customer*, you can use your current online banking credentials.
- Look out for an email (including in your spam folder) with your unique application link.
- The link returns you to our site, where you can continue by clicking the ‘Resume Application’ button at the top right of the menu bar.
- Verification is completed once you’ve uploaded a photo of your ID and taken a selfie. Be sure to use a clear camera lens, in portrait mode, and avoid glare or fingers covering the document.
* Supported countries only (South Africa, Botswana, eSwatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe)
Stage 2: Apply, upload & sign
- Take a few minutes to answer a few questions.
- Review and sign your application.
- Upload supporting documents as well as a specimen signature.
If needed, a representative will contact you for a quick video call to finalise the review.
Stage 3: Fund your account
- Once your account is open, you can transfer funds immediately to activate your international banking experience.
- For 24/7 access and control, get set up on Internet Banking and download our Mobile App while you wait for your Visa debit card.
Learn from the experts
When to consider international banking
Your future wealth. Secured.
It's easier to invest for the long term when you have the right partner at your side.
The Ins and Outs of International Banking
Why open a bank account in the Isle of Man
The importance of diversifying your portfolio
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN
Managing your money
27 Jun 2025
Seafarer Bank Account offers more than just banking
Have you ever struggled to access your salary while docked in a new port? For yacht crew, banking isn’t just about getting paid – it’s about managing your money when you have a global lifestyle.
Saving and Investing
5 Jun 2025
Why diversify using international Structured Products?
If you’re managing your finances across borders, you already know how challenging it is to stay ahead of volatile currency markets, shifting geopolitics, and fluctuating markets. These aren’t just theoretical risks – they’re part of your everyday financial reality.
Saving and Investing
2 Apr 2025
Diversify your portfolio with international structured products
If you live in a country with a weak currency, then you would probably see the sense in taking money offshore to store and invest in a major currency. The overriding benefit of this move is that your international buying power won’t be eroded because your currency is devaluing against the likes of the US dollar, pound sterling or euro.
Estate & Succession Planning
1 Apr 2025
Selecting the right trustee
Author: Michael-Pierre Giraud, Head of Fiduciary Services, Jersey
Estate & Succession Planning
31 Jan 2025
A question of capacity
With incapacity issues on the rise, what can trustees do to mitigate against, and manage the impact of, a settlor or other key person's incapacity (and the possibility of undue influence) on existing and new trust structures? This article considers some scenarios that a trustee may face in this context along with guidance provided by case law and offers some practical suggestions.
Estate & Succession Planning
23 Jan 2025
Disruption eruption
Jaco Van Jaarsveld TEP, Head of Fiduciary Services, Mauritius, outlines the digital innovation and transformation made in the Asia Pacific region in recent years
Tips and guidance
A comprehensive guide to your Visa debit card
A comprehensive guide to your Visa debit card
Welcome to the setup guide on how to order, activate and manage your Visa debit card linked to your Standard Bank Offshore bank account.
International payments made easy
International payments made easy
A step-by-step guide through the process of making online payments from your Standard Bank international account.
How to pay and get paid
How to pay and get paid
Understand the different ways of paying into your account and making regular payments out of your account.
