Best US Dollar (USD) Account in the UK - Alternatives and Fees in 2026

Opening a US dollar (USD) account in the UK makes it easier to receive, hold, send, convert and spend dollars. However, opening a US dollar account with a bank in the UK can mean paying high fees. Specialist providers like Wise and Revolut can be good alternatives.

In this article, we'll cover what you need to know about opening a US dollar account, including the best US dollar account UK, the costs involved, and how to open one.

USD account UK: Quick overview

Before we get into the details, here’s an overview of the US dollar accounts in the UK that we’ll look at in this guide.

*Details correct at 24th March 2026

Can a US dollar account be opened in the UK?

You can open a US dollar account in the UK through a highstreet bank, a digital bank or a specialist online provider. Accounts often have eligibility criteria and may only be available to certain customer types.

Some accounts are only used to hold and transact in USD, while many offer other currencies too.

Multi-currency accounts often offer dozens of currency options as well as US dollars which can be convenient if you need to hold, send or spend in several currencies.

Best US dollar accounts in the UK

The best US dollar account for you will depend on your specific needs and the sort of transactions you’ll want to make. Let’s start with an overview of the availability, features and fees of some of the most popular US dollar accounts available in the UK from specialist providers.

*Details correct at time of research - 24th March 2026 *About Wise pricing: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

Methodology: These providers have been selected looking at UK availability, USD currency support, features and costs. Providers are shown in order of currencies supported within the account, starting at the highest number of supported currencies.

Wise USD account

Wise multi-currency accounts can be used to hold, send and spend USD as well as 40+ additional currencies. They’re available for personal and business use and come with local and SWIFT account details for 20+ different currencies including US dollars, so you can receive payments conveniently.

You can also get a linked physical or virtual debit card to spend and make ATM withdrawals at home and abroad. Currency conversion uses the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees.

Wise USD account fees and limits

About Wise pricing: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

OFX

US dollar accounts from OFX are tailored to businesses and online sellers looking to get paid in a range of global currencies. Receive and exchange payments in USD and 30+ other major currencies, and access OFX’s range of currency risk management products as and when you need them. These include products like forward exchange contracts which can be used to lock in an exchange rate for a future payment, minimising the risk involved with fluctuations in the forex markets.

OFX Global Business Account fees and limits

Revolut

Revolut US dollar accounts are offered in the UK for personal and business customers. You’ll be able to open a personal standard plan with no ongoing charges to access a range of features, or upgrade to a plan with monthly fees to unlock extras and get more no fee transactions. As well as US dollars, Revolut customers can hold 25+ different currencies, with some no fee currency exchange available depending on the account tier selected.

Revolut USD Account fees and limits

➡️ Read a full Revolut review here.

Best US dollar bank accounts in the UK 

Next, let’s round up some of the best US dollar bank accounts in the UK in case you’d prefer to use a bank for your US dollar management.

Details correct at time of research - 24th March 2026* Applications paused at time of research

Methodology: These providers have been selected looking at UK availability, USD currency support, features and costs. Providers are shown in order of currencies supported within the account, starting at the highest number of supported currencies.

Natwest

Natwest’s US dollar accounts for both personal and business customers offer both US dollars and a range of other major currencies.

Cash Management accounts pay interest on savings and have both easy access saving options and fixed term deposits which allow customers to lock away their money for an agreed time in exchange for a better exchange rate.

Availability for business customers varies - check you’re eligible before you apply. As a personal customer you’ll need to have savings of 25,000 GBP to get an account.

Natwest Cash Management Account fees and limits

HSBC

Global banking giant HSBC offers US dollar accounts for both personal and business customers.

There are no regular fees for personal account holders, although you’ll pay a charge for some types of international payment from your account.

For businesses there are a few different account types including everyday checking accounts, savings accounts, and foreign currency accounts opened directly with HSBC’s operation in the overseas market.

HSBC USD Account fees and limits

➡️ More information: NatWest USD Account Review & Alternatives

Barclays

Barclays is one of the largest high street banks in the UK so it’s no surprise that they offer US dollar accounts for both personal and business customers.

The exact services you can access - and the fees you’ll pay for them - can vary between account types. The core service available is the International Bank Account which is offered through the Barclays international banking division.

Customers must hold a minimum of 100,000 GBP with Barclays to qualify.

Barclays USD Account fees and limits

More information: Barclays USD Account Review & Alternatives

Santander

Santander UK’s US dollar account focuses on high wealth individuals who are eligible to use the Santander Private Banking service. That means you’ll usually have to have savings of 500,000 GBP or an annual income of 250,000 GBP to get a US dollar account with Santander. If you’re eligible for the private banking service you can access accounts and linked debit cards for USD and EUR as well as the standard GBP account.

Santander USD Account fees and limits

Lloyds and Halifax

Lloyds has an international account offer - and although Halifax does not trade internationally, Halifax customers can access the Lloyds US dollar account instead as the 2 banks are partnered.

The Lloyds US dollar account is available for personal customers, and comes with a monthly fee of 5 USD. There’s no Lloyds fee when you want to make a transfer out of your US dollar account, but correspondent bank fees will apply - these are 12 GBP to the US, and can be up to 20 GBP depending on the destination country.

Lloyds/Halifax USD Account fees and limits

Starling Bank

Starling Bank offers business customers the option to open a US dollar account which has a 5 GBP/month fee.

To get started you’ll need to have a GBP Starling business account, but you’ll then be able to use your GBP debit card to spend and make withdrawals in USD when you need to.

Accounts can be opened by eligible customers who have a registered business in the UK - they’re not currently available to sole traders.

*At the time of research, Starling has paused issuing new USD accounts - check the details before you apply.

Starling Bank USD Account fees and limits

➡️ More information: Starling Bank USD Account Review & Alternatives

What is a USD account?

US dollar accounts are available in the UK from banks and alternative providers. Some accounts hold USD only, while others let you manage dollars along with other currencies for greater flexibility.

The features of your USD account will depend on the exact product you pick - you may be able to receive payments from others in USD, or spend USD in person and online with a linked debit card.

There are also accounts which are more focused on customers who want to invest and save in foreign currencies. It’s worth considering how you want to use your account before you pick the right product for you, to make sure you end up with all the features that are important to you.

How to open a US dollar account in the UK

The exact process to open a US dollar account will vary depending on the provider you select. In some cases you’ll need to show you meet eligibility criteria to be able to open an account.

However, many USD account providers allow customers to open and manage their accounts online and through mobile apps for convenience and speed.

1. Choose the best provider for your needs

2. Check you meet any eligibility criteria

3. Register for your account online, through the provider app, or in a branch location

4. Give your personal and contact information

5. Complete the required verification steps

6. Fund your account - and you’re ready to go

Customers opening bank accounts in the UK will need to provide some documents for verification processes. This keeps accounts safe and is required by law.

The exact documents you need will vary depending on the provider and the account type, but can include:

How does a USD account work?

It’s useful to note that USD accounts are usually designed with a specific customer type or need in mind. That means that there’s a huge variety in the features you’ll find, from accounts which are great for saving or paying bills - but not designed for travel spending - to accounts which are more about flexible currency management, and which come with a debit card and the option to hold dozens of other currencies as well as USD.

Generally you’ll need to either add money yourself with a digital transfer, or have someone send you money, before you can start to spend.

What are the advantages of a US dollar account in the UK?

USD account with debit card

Looking for a US dollar account because you plan to travel to the US, or for online shopping?

Be sure to pick one which comes with a debit card for ease of spending and withdrawals.

While a few of the accounts we’ve picked out above come with cards, this isn’t always an option - so comparing a few banks and alternatives makes sense.

Here’s a reminder of the alternatives we introduced earlier:

How to use a USD account in the UK

USD business account

If you own a business which has customers, contractors or suppliers in the US, you might benefit from a business foreign currency account in USD.

Business customers can often unlock extra features compared to personal customers, to allow them to send money in USD to others, receive US dollar payments from customers and payment providers, run international payroll, issue cards for employees, and so on.

Again, the features of different USD business accounts can vary a lot - some of the options can include:

About Wise pricing: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.