A guide to multi-currency accounts

See what a multi-currency account can be used for and how to send money overseas online with it. 

A multi-currency account allows you to save, send and receive Singapore dollars and other foreign currencies in a single account. This makes international transactions easier when banking abroad.

Do you travel a lot, send money abroad, frequently do business overseas or shop online with international merchants? Then a multi-currency account might make sense for your lifestyle. 

There's no need to open multiple bank accounts if you can do all your transactions from a single account. The HSBC Everyday Global Account currently comes with such currencies as the Australian and Canadian dollars, the euro, Japanese yen, British pound sterling, US dollar, Hong Kong dollar and Chinese renminbi (RMB is not supported for card spend and cash withdrawals). 

Use your physical or virtual card for contactless payments in the local currency. Most multi-currency accounts offer a debit card to make payments, withdraw cash from local ATMs and sometimes even transfer money back home in Singapore dollars.

A multi-currency account can reduce exchange rate risk and save you money with lower or no transaction costs or annual account fees. Tired of paying fees for withdrawing cash from overseas ATMs? These transactions are free for some foreign currency accounts.

Convert foreign exchange funds automatically at your target rate with real-time exchange rates when it's convenient for you. You can even set up alerts to access the best exchange rates and track historical trends. 

Learn more: HSBC FX Order Watch

HSBC is the first bank to offer this unique feature. Enjoy up to SGD800 cash rewards with the HSBC Everyday+ Rewards Programme. T&Cs apply.

Learn more: How to qualify for Everyday+ Rewards

Locally regulated finance companies and banks, including HSBC, are members of the Singapore Deposit Insurance Scheme.

Singapore dollar deposits of non-bank depositors are insured by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation, for up to S$100,000 in aggregate per depositor per Scheme member by law. Foreign currency deposits, dual currency investments, structured deposits and other investment products are not insured.

You may need to keep a minimum balance in a multi-currency account, and interest rates may be lower than a regular savings account. If you think you'll need purchase protection, you might want to consider using your credit card instead. Fees too high? Consider changing banks for the best deals. 

A multi-currency account works like a regular bank account, but you can also send and receive money in foreign currencies. Money transfers are relatively straightforward. If you bank with HSBC, you can make faster overseas money transfers for free[@gmt-other-bank-fees] with your HSBC Everyday Global Account on the HSBC Singapore app. You can also transfer money to China from a non-RMB account via UnionPay cards issued in mainland China.

You can open a traditional multi-currency account through your bank. This will usually come with other banking services. There are also digital accounts, which might just be online.

If you have an HSBC bank account, you can apply for a multi-currency account via online banking.

Log on to apply

For Singaporeans or residents of Singapore, we recommend applying with Myinfo for faster processing. If you don't have Myinfo, you'll need to apply with HSBC EasyID with an original identity document.

Are you new to HSBC, at least 18 years old and living in Singapore? You're eligible to apply for an HSBC Everyday Global account on the HSBC Singapore app. 

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