USD accounts in the UK

Whether you’re a US citizen living in the UK, or a UK citizen or resident traveling to the US frequently, a USD account can be a handy tool to make cross currency transactions cheap, quick and convenient.

Major local and global banks offer USD accounts to UK residents – but there are also ways to open a USD account in the UK with specialist services that can be more flexible. You could choose to open a

multi-currency account covering GBP and USD from a provider like Wise, for example. This guide covers all you need to know to help you choose the best USD currency account for you.

What is a USD currency account?

A USD currency account is an account which lets you hold US dollars. 

You might also be able to hold and exchange other currencies in your account if you choose a USD account with multi-currency features. Other common features include linked debit cards, international transfer services and ways to get paid in USD from others. 

What can you do with a USD account in the UK?

If you’re a US citizen living in the UK for work or study, or a UK citizen who travels to the US a lot for business or leisure, a USD account can be a useful tool.

Different USD accounts have their own features – but these are some of the more common uses for a US dollar account:

• Hold and convert a USD balance: Hold a balance in USD without needing to convert to GBP if you don’t want to. This allows you to save in USD to pay bills or for planned travel, while cutting out unnecessary conversion costs.
• Receive payments in USD: Get paid by others in USD, often with local account details, allowing the sender to make a local payment which is fast, cheap and convenient for them.
• Send payments in USD: If you’re paying bills in the US, a USD account lets you process cross border transfers in a few taps, with options for regular or recurring payments for bill payments, mortgages and other ongoing commitments.
• Spend and withdraw USD: If you need to spend and withdraw, accounts from providers like Wise, and global banks like HSBC, offer a debit card for convenient and low cost USD transactions in person and online.

Types of USD account

You’ll find USD account products available from major UK banks often have a focus on high wealth individuals who want to hold a high balance amount and unlock things like personal banking services, investments and wealth management advice. These accounts are typically offered through the International or Expat branches of global banks like Barclays.

There are also low cost USD accounts which allow customers to hold, exchange and manage other currencies all in one account, usually from global banks and specialist providers. Here are the core options typically available, with a quick introduction to the providers we feature in this guide:

Multi currency accounts: Multi currency accounts are commonly available from digital providers, and also some global banks like HSBC. You can hold USD alongside many other currencies in a multi currency account which can be a convenient option for people living international lifestyles.

• Wise Account: Hold 40+ currencies, and get local account details for receiving 8+ currencies including USD, and SWIFT details for receiving 20+ currencies easily. 
• Revolut Account: Hold 35+ currencies and get local details to receive GBP and SWIFT details to receive other supported currencies. 
• HSBC Global Money Account: Hold USD along with 17 other currencies, with no HSBC ATM or monthly maintenance fees

Foreign currency accounts: Foreign currency accounts support only 1 currency, and let you hold and send payments in a foreign currency. In the UK you may find that these accounts are offered through the international or expat banking service of a global bank, with a focus on high wealth individuals rather than travellers.

• Barclays USD Account – USD account through Barclays International which lets you hold, send, spend and exchange USD – high minimum balances apply to avoid fall below fees.

Best USD currency accounts in the UK

There’s not really one best USD currency account in the UK, as different products have their own features to suit different customer needs. 

You might prefer multi-currency account and card services from providers like Wise if you want to hold USD with GBP and other currencies in one account, and spend with your debit card locally and overseas. These services are digital only and do not have a branch network which can be a drawback if you need to deposit cash or checks.

As a major global bank, HSBC also offers a multi-currency account solution for customers who want to hold 18 currencies including USD. There are also personal USD accounts from banks like Barclays. These products are offered through the bank’s international arm, and often aimed at high wealth individuals who want to invest,  save, and send payments primarily.

Here we’ve selected some different providers and banks offering USD accounts in the UK for personal and business use, looking at convenience, cost and customer intention. 

Read on to learn more about each and how their USD account in the UK works.

💡 At a glance
Wise Account	Hold and exchange USD and 40+ other currencies, spend with a Wise card in 150+ countries, send and receive payments globally in GBP, USD, GBP and more.
Revolut Account	Choose from 5 different account plans which all offer a debit card, and support 35+ currencies for holding and withdrawal. Travel perks available on some account tiers.
Barclays USD Account	Accounts for high wealth individuals which allow you to hold USD, and can offer personal banking services if you qualify.
HSBC USD Account	Global Money Account to hold 18+ currencies with a linked debit card for spending and withdrawals. Spend at home and abroad, and send payments internationally from the HSBC app.

*Details correct at time of research – 22nd August 2025

Wise USD Account

Open a Wise Account online or in the Wise app, for personal or business use, and hold USD alongside GBP and 40+ other currencies all in the same account. You can exchange between currencies in the app with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees, order an optional debit card for spending and cash withdrawals, and send and receive payments globally in GBP, USD and more. 

Accounts offer local and SWIFT details to receive payments, with no fee to receive USD (non wire, non SWIFT payments ) to your Wise account. There’s a small Wise fee to receive USD wires and SWIFT payments.

• Hold and exchange USD and 40+ other currencies
• Mid-market currency exchange with low, transparent fees
• Use your Wise card in 150+ countries for spending and cash withdrawals

Account opening fee: No opening fee for personal customers. Business customers pay 45 GBP for full feature access. No minimum balance

Eligibility criteria: Available to residents of the UK and many other countries and regions globally

Supported currencies: 40+ currencies, including GBP and USD.

Monthly fees: None

Exchange rates: Mid-market exchange rates

What can you do with a USD account in the UK?

If you’re a US citizen living in the UK for work or study, or a UK citizen who travels to the US a lot for business or leisure, a USD account can be a useful tool.

Different USD accounts have their own features – but these are some of the more common uses for a US dollar account:

• Hold and convert a USD balance: Hold a balance in USD without needing to convert to GBP if you don’t want to. This allows you to save in USD to pay bills or for planned travel, while cutting out unnecessary conversion costs.
• Receive payments in USD: Get paid by others in USD, often with local account details, allowing the sender to make a local payment which is fast, cheap and convenient for them.
• Send payments in USD: If you’re paying bills in the US, a USD account lets you process cross border transfers in a few taps, with options for regular or recurring payments for bill payments, mortgages and other ongoing commitments.
• Spend and withdraw USD: If you need to spend and withdraw, accounts from providers like Wise, and global banks like HSBC, offer a debit card for convenient and low cost USD transactions in person and online.

Types of USD accounts

You’ll find USD account products available from major UK banks often have a focus on high wealth individuals who want to hold a high balance amount and unlock things like personal banking services, investments and wealth management advice. These accounts are typically offered through the International or Expat branches of global banks like Barclays.

There are also low cost USD accounts which allow customers to hold, exchange and manage other currencies all in one account, usually from global banks and specialist providers. Here are the core options typically available, with a quick introduction to the providers we feature in this guide:

Multi currency accounts: Multi currency accounts are commonly available from digital providers, and also some global banks like HSBC. You can hold USD alongside many other currencies in a multi currency account which can be a convenient option for people living international lifestyles.

• Wise Account: Hold 40+ currencies, and get local account details for receiving 8+ currencies including USD, and SWIFT details for receiving 20+ currencies easily. 
• Revolut Account: Hold 35+ currencies and get local details to receive GBP and SWIFT details to receive other supported currencies. 
• HSBC Global Money Account: Hold USD along with 17 other currencies, with no HSBC ATM or monthly maintenance fees

Foreign currency accounts: Foreign currency accounts support only 1 currency, and let you hold and send payments in a foreign currency. In the UK you may find that these accounts are offered through the international or expat banking service of a global bank, with a focus on high wealth individuals rather than travellers.

• Barclays USD Account – USD account through Barclays International which lets you hold, send, spend and exchange USD – high minimum balances apply to avoid fall below fees.

Best USD currency accounts in the UK

There’s not really one best USD currency account in the UK, as different products have their own features to suit different customer needs. 

You might prefer multi-currency account and card services from providers like Wise if you want to hold USD with GBP and other currencies in one account, and spend with your debit card locally and overseas. These services are digital only and do not have a branch network which can be a drawback if you need to deposit cash or checks.

As a major global bank, HSBC also offers a multi-currency account solution for customers who want to hold 18 currencies including USD. There are also personal USD accounts from banks like Barclays. These products are offered through the bank’s international arm, and often aimed at high wealth individuals who want to invest,  save, and send payments primarily.

Here we’ve selected some different providers and banks offering USD accounts in the UK for personal and business use, looking at convenience, cost and customer intention. 

Read on to learn more about each and how their USD account in the UK works.

💡 At a glance
Wise Account	Hold and exchange USD and 40+ other currencies, spend with a Wise card in 150+ countries, send and receive payments globally in GBP, USD, GBP and more.
Revolut Account	Choose from 5 different account plans which all offer a debit card, and support 35+ currencies for holding and withdrawal. Travel perks available on some account tiers.
Barclays USD Account	Accounts for high wealth individuals which allow you to hold USD, and can offer personal banking services if you qualify.
HSBC USD Account	Global Money Account to hold 18+ currencies with a linked debit card for spending and withdrawals. Spend at home and abroad, and send payments internationally from the HSBC app.

*Details correct at time of research – 22nd August 2025

Wise USD Account

Open a Wise Account online or in the Wise app, for personal or business use, and hold USD alongside GBP and 40+ other currencies all in the same account. You can exchange between currencies in the app with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees, order an optional debit card for spending and cash withdrawals, and send and receive payments globally in GBP, USD and more. 

Accounts offer local and SWIFT details to receive payments, with no fee to receive USD (non wire, non SWIFT payments ) to your Wise account. There’s a small Wise fee to receive USD wires and SWIFT payments.

• Hold and exchange USD and 40+ other currencies
• Mid-market currency exchange with low, transparent fees
• Use your Wise card in 150+ countries for spending and cash withdrawals

Account opening fee: No opening fee for personal customers. Business customers pay 45 GBP for full feature access. No minimum balance

Eligibility criteria: Available to residents of the UK and many other countries and regions globally

Supported currencies: 40+ currencies, including GBP and USD.

Monthly fees: None

Exchange rates: Mid-market exchange rates

Revolut Account 

You can open 5 different types of Revolut Account as a personal customer in the UK, with an additional 4 plan options for business customers. As a personal customer you can choose a Standard plan with no monthly fee, or upgrade to a plan with maintenance fees up to 45 GBP/month. 

Higher tier plans offer more no fee transactions, discounts and perks – but all accounts have a linked debit card and ways to convert in the account between 35+ currencies including GBP and USD.

Account opening fee: No opening fee, no minimum balance

Eligibility criteria: Available to residents of the UK and many other countries and regions globally

Supported currencies: USD, GBP and 35+ other currencies 

Monthly fees: Personal customers pay 0 GBP- 45 GBP/month, business customers 10 GBP- 90 GBP/month

Exchange rates: Weekday currency exchange uses the Revolut rate to plan limits. After this fair usage fees of up to 1% may apply depending on plan. Weekend exchange may attract an extra fee up to 1%.

Barclays USD Account

You can open the Barclays International USD Account through the International and Expat banking arm of Barclays, which is based on the Isle of Man. This account allows you to hold USD, send payments, and spend with a debit card. You may be able to manage your application online depending on your personal circumstances, and subject to meeting eligibility requirements. 

This account is aimed at higher wealth individuals who hold significant amounts of funds with Barclays.

• Full digital banking service and linked debit cards for global spending
• Send payments to 90+ countries, in 60 currencies
• Relationship management services available for high wealth individuals holding 250,000 GBP or more

Account opening fee: None 

Eligibility criteria: Residents  of one of the 35 eligible countries, holding 100,000 GBP or more in Barclays savings, investment and other account products

Supported currencies: USD

Monthly fees: No monthly fee – but a 40 GBP monthly fall below fee applies if you do not hold the minimum balance

Exchange rates: Exchange rates are likely to include a markup

HSBC USD Account

The Global Money Account is the HSBC USD Account for UK residents. This account supports 18 currencies including USD and many other major currencies making it a good choice for travellers and for sending payments overseas. You can get a virtual and physical debit card to spend and make cash withdrawals, and there’s no fee to spend a currency you have in your balance. Bear in mind that currency conversion costs, and non HSBC fees – such as ATM operator charges – may still apply.

• Hold and exchange 18 currencies including USD, with a card for travel spending
• No HSBC ATM fees, and no additional fee to spend currency you already hold in your balance
• App based account which makes it easy to keep on top of your transactions 

Account opening fee: None 

Eligibility criteria: UK residents with an active eligible HSBC GBP account

Supported currencies: 18 currencies, including USD

Monthly fees: No monthly fees – fees may apply to your underlying GBP accountExchange rates: Exchange rates are likely to include a markup

Fees for USD accounts in the UK

You can often find a USD bank account in the UK with no ongoing fees to pay, but there are usually some transaction fees to think about. Check your account fee schedule to make sure you understand the costs of your account before you transact. 

Here are some fees to look out for:

• Monthly maintenance fee: Some USD accounts might have a monthly fee, or you might find you have to open an GBP account first, which has its own service fees to pay. Not all accounts use this sort of ongoing charge – for a low cost alternative check out providers like Wise which don’t charge a maintenance fee.
• Fall below fee: A fall below fee applies on some accounts if you don’t hold the provider’s required minimum balance. This is common on premium type accounts from global banks – like the Barclays account we’ve looked at in this guide. To open a Barclays USD account you may need a deposit of 100,000 GBP or more to avoid this cost.
• ATM withdrawal fees: If your USD account has a debit card, check if ATM fees apply. Costs can be either a flat charge or a percentage of the withdrawal – and often taking money out overseas is far more expensive than in the UK. Providers like Wise offer some no fee ATM use each month to help you lower your transaction costs.
• Foreign transaction fees: A foreign transaction fee can push up the costs of purchases in a currency you don’t have in your account by about 3%. This fee doesn’t usually apply on accounts like the Wise Account, which allow you to spend currencies you hold with no fees, and convert with low charges where needed.
• International transfer fees: Your bank might waive transfer fees from a foreign currency account but that doesn’t mean you pay nothing, as the exchange rate used might include a markup – a fee that’s not so easy to spot. Typically providers like Wise and Revolut can offer more competitive rates than many banks.

How to open a USD account in the UK

The most convenient way to open a USD bank account in the UK is online. 

Before you sign up to any USD account read through the eligibility criteria and application process. While this does vary a bit, it’s usually pretty similar across different banks and providers, including providing your proof of ID and a proof of address document for verification.

Here’s an outline of the USD account opening process:

With banks: Some banks let you add a USD account in their app if you already have an GBP account, which can be very convenient. For accounts from the international services of major banks, you can usually find an online application option, but you’ll need to upload all your documents and complete a comprehensive application form to get signed up.

With online providers: Specialist providers like Wise don’t have branch locations so you’ll complete your account application, verification and onboarding all digitally. You’re guided through the process by onscreen prompts and you’ll need to take a snap of your ID and address documents with your phone to get verified.

How to use your USD account in the UK

Finally let’s look at how using a USD account can help you manage your US dollar payments and transactions with lower fees and less time spent navigating administration. 

• Send international money transfers: Send payments to the US and many other countries with just your phone, often with great exchange rates and low fees. Providers like Wise use their own payment network to make sure you get a super fast transfer time, too.
• Hold and exchange USD and GBP: Keep USD and GBP all in one account to make it easier to budget and plan across different currencies. Multi-currency accounts can also let you manage different currencies for things like saving for travel or to send a payment, too.
• Receive USD payments: Use your USD account to receive USD easily with local or SWIFT account information that the sender can use to initiate your transfer without needing to convert it to GBP.
• Use your debit card for spending and withdrawals: Use your USD debit card to spend and withdraw with low costs and no foreign transaction fees in many cases. Choose a provider like Wise and it’s free to spend a currency you hold sufficient balance in, and cheap to convert to any currency you might need to cover a purchase.

Conclusion

There are several different ways to open USD accounts in the UK, depending on how you need to transact. 

You could pick a USD account from a bank like Barclays  if you’re looking to hold and save USD to diversify your investments, and need personal wealth advice. Global banks like HSBC also offer ways to hold USD which can be handy for payments and travel use.

Or, as a more flexible alternative with broad multi-currency features you might prefer Wise which lets you hold USD along with GBP and 40+ other currencies. Use your account to send, spend, hold and receive USD for day to day payments, travel and bills, with low costs and great exchange rates.

Useful resources:

Revolut Personal Pricing Plans – Revolut UK personal pricing plans and feature descriptions

Revolut Business Pricing Plans – Revolut UK business pricing plans and feature descriptions

Barclays International – Barclays International landing page, introducing the Barclays USD account

HSBC UK Global Money Account – HSBC USD Account information summarised, with application details