Compare banking solutions by entity type, geography, and feature set. Find banks that accept international founders and understand cross-border operations.
For global founders, banking is often the most critical—and most challenging—piece of business infrastructure. Unlike local entrepreneurs who can walk into a branch with a government ID, international founders face layers of compliance, restricted countries lists, and varying KYC requirements.
Our banking analysis tracks over 40 data points per provider: entity acceptance criteria, geographic restrictions, fee structures, account opening timelines, remote opening capabilities, multi-currency support, and compliance requirements.
| Feature | Mercury | Wise Business | Airwallex | Brex | Relay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Wire Transfer (Domestic) | $0 (unlimited) | $4-7 | $10 | $0 | $8 |
| Wire Transfer (International) | $25-40 | 0.4-0.7% FX fee | 0.3-0.6% FX fee | $30 | $25 |
| ACH Transfers | Free (unlimited) | $1-3 | Free | Free | Free |
| Physical Cards | Yes (Free) | Yes ($9 fee) | Yes (Free) | Yes (Free) | Yes (Free) |
| Virtual Cards | Unlimited | Yes (3 free) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Up to 50 |
| Multi-Currency Accounts | No (USD only) | 40+ currencies | 11+ currencies | No (USD only) | No (USD only) |
| Interest on Balance | Up to 5.0% (Treasury) | No | No | Up to 4.5% | No |
| FDIC Insurance | Up to $5M | N/A (Not a bank) | Varies by region | Up to $6M | Up to $3M |
| API Access | Yes (Full API) | Yes (Full API) | Yes (Full API) | Yes (Limited) | Yes (Full API) |
| QuickBooks Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stripe Integration | Native | Yes | Native | Yes | Yes |
| Check Writing | Yes (Free) | No | No | Yes | Yes (Free) |
| Bill Pay | Yes (Automated) | Yes | Yes | Yes (Advanced) | Yes |
| Expense Management | Basic | Basic | Yes | Advanced | Basic |
| Sub-Accounts | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes (up to 20) |
All data as of December 2025. Fees and features subject to change. Always verify with provider before opening account.
| Provider | US LLC | US C-Corp | UK Ltd | SG/HK Entity | EU Entity | Restricted Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ~40 countries |
| Wise Business | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Sanctioned countries only |
| Airwallex | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Varies by region |
| Brex | Limited | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | VC-backed preferred |
| Relay | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | US residents only |
✓ = Supported | ✗ = Not Supported. Geographic restrictions change frequently based on compliance policies.
| Provider | Accepted Entities | Remote Opening | Timeline | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | US LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp | Yes (Non-US founders) | 2-5 days | $0 |
| Wise Business | UK Ltd, US LLC, EU entities | Yes (190+ countries) | 1-3 days | $0 |
| Airwallex | SG, HK, AU, UK, US entities | Yes (Global) | 3-7 days | $0 |
| Brex | US C-Corp (VC-backed) | Yes (Limited) | 5-10 days | $0 |
| Relay | US LLC, C-Corp | Yes (US residents only) | 3-5 days | $0 |
Data updated December 2025. Requirements subject to change based on provider policy updates.
Not all banks accept all entity types. Mercury focuses on US entities, Wise accepts UK/EU/US, while Airwallex specializes in Asia-Pacific. Match your entity jurisdiction to compatible providers.
Banks maintain restricted countries lists based on sanctions, compliance risk, and regulatory frameworks. Verify your country of residence and business operations are supported before applying.
Critical for non-resident founders. Mercury, Wise, and Airwallex all support fully remote opening. Traditional banks typically require in-person verification or US presence.
For global businesses, multi-currency accounts reduce FX conversion fees and enable local currency collection. Wise and Airwallex excel here; Mercury is USD-focused.
Modern fintech banks integrate with Stripe, QuickBooks, Xero, and accounting software. Check API availability if you need automated reconciliation or programmatic access.
Expect to provide: articles of incorporation, EIN, beneficial ownership documentation, business plan, and proof of address. Some banks require revenue thresholds or VC backing.
Best for: US entities, non-US founders, tech startups
Mercury has become the default banking infrastructure for non-US founders building US entities. Their fully remote onboarding accepts founders from 150+ countries, with no requirement for US presence or social security number.
Key Features: Free accounts with unlimited transactions, Treasury (yield on cash balances up to $5M FDIC insured), bill pay, virtual and physical cards, Stripe/QuickBooks integrations.
Requirements: US LLC or C-Corp, valid business purpose, non-sanctioned country of residence. No revenue requirements. Approval typically takes 2-5 business days.
Limitations: USD only (no multi-currency), US entities only, restricted countries list includes ~40 jurisdictions.
Best for: Multi-currency operations, EU/UK entities, international payments
Wise Business (formerly TransferWise) excels at multi-currency operations with local account details in 40+ currencies. Ideal for businesses serving global customers or managing international contractor payments.
Key Features: Hold and convert 40+ currencies, local account details (UK sort code, IBAN, US routing number, etc.), transparent FX rates, batch payments, API access, integration with Xero/QuickBooks.
Requirements: Registered business entity (UK Ltd, US LLC, EU entities accepted), business documentation, proof of address. Very fast approval—often 1-3 days.
Limitations: No lending/credit facilities, limited cash management features compared to Mercury/Brex, not suitable if you only need USD operations.
Best for: Asia-Pacific entities, e-commerce, global payments infrastructure
Airwallex specializes in Asia-Pacific markets (Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia) while supporting US/UK entities. Strong for businesses with Asian supply chains or customer bases.
Key Features: Global accounts in 11+ currencies, virtual cards, payment links, FX rates comparable to Wise, Stripe-like payment acceptance, API platform for embedded finance.
Requirements: Business entity in supported jurisdiction, business plan, compliance documentation. Approval typically 3-7 days depending on entity complexity.
Limitations: Fewer integrations than Mercury/Wise, customer support less responsive for small accounts, fee structure can be complex for low-volume users.
Yes. Mercury, Relay, and others offer fully remote account opening for non-US founders with US entities. You'll need your incorporation documents, EIN, and identification, but no US visit required.
If you're a resident of a sanctioned or restricted country, US neobanks typically cannot serve you due to compliance requirements. Consider Wise or Airwallex, which have different risk frameworks, or establish residency elsewhere.
For business accounts, no. Mercury and similar neobanks only require your company's EIN (Employer Identification Number), which any US entity receives upon incorporation. Personal SSN/ITIN not required.
Neobanks (Mercury, Wise, Airwallex) offer faster onboarding, better UX, and modern integrations. Traditional banks offer higher FDIC coverage, lending relationships, and physical branches. For most global founders, neobanks are the practical starting point.
Compare all options side-by-side based on your entity type and business needs.