Best Banks for Expats and Nomads in 2026

Banking has got to be one of the biggest Banking has got to be one of the biggest headaches for digital nomads, expats, headaches for digital nomads, expats, headaches for digital nomads, expats, and retirees living outside the US. Most and retirees living outside the US. Most and retirees living outside the US. Most US banks love to make your life US banks love to make your life US banks love to make your life extremely difficult if you don't extremely difficult if you don't extremely difficult if you don't physically reside in the country, but physically reside in the country, but physically reside in the country, but there are a few exceptions. So, in this there are a few exceptions. So, in this there are a few exceptions. So, in this video, we're going to break down the video, we're going to break down the video, we're going to break down the best banks for expats in 2026 and how best banks for expats in 2026 and how best banks for expats in 2026 and how you can comply with all the banking you can comply with all the banking you can comply with all the banking regulations so you don't run into any regulations so you don't run into any regulations so you don't run into any problems. The big thing is that you want problems. The big thing is that you want problems. The big thing is that you want a bank or credit union that is already a bank or credit union that is already a bank or credit union that is already set up to deal with American customers set up to deal with American customers set up to deal with American customers living outside the states. Number one is living outside the states. Number one is living outside the states. Number one is Charles Schwab Bank. We've talked about Charles Schwab Bank. We've talked about Charles Schwab Bank. We've talked about them before on this channel and and you them before on this channel and and you them before on this channel and and you see them a lot mentioned on expat nomad see them a lot mentioned on expat nomad see them a lot mentioned on expat nomad forums. They're a global bank with a forums. They're a global bank with a forums. They're a global bank with a great reputation for customer service great reputation for customer service great reputation for customer service all around the world. Now, the real all around the world. Now, the real all around the world. Now, the real golden ticket is this debit card, which golden ticket is this debit card, which golden ticket is this debit card, which has some really insane benefits that you has some really insane benefits that you has some really insane benefits that you have to know about. Schwab accounts have have to know about. Schwab accounts have have to know about. Schwab accounts have no monthly maintenance fees, no foreign no monthly maintenance fees, no foreign no monthly maintenance fees, no foreign transaction fees, but the best part is transaction fees, but the best part is transaction fees, but the best part is that they offer unlimited ATM fee that they offer unlimited ATM fee that they offer unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide. That means you pay rebates worldwide. That means you pay rebates worldwide. That means you pay nothing for withdrawals, which is a huge nothing for withdrawals, which is a huge nothing for withdrawals, which is a huge savings. That's one reason why Schwab is savings. That's one reason why Schwab is savings. That's one reason why Schwab is kind of a total no-brainer if you live a kind of a total no-brainer if you live a kind of a total no-brainer if you live a global lifestyle. Now, if you change global lifestyle. Now, if you change global lifestyle. Now, if you change your address from a US address to an your address from a US address to an your address from a US address to an international address, what Schwab will international address, what Schwab will international address, what Schwab will often do is convert your US account to a often do is convert your US account to a often do is convert your US account to a Schwab international account. Now, we Schwab international account. Now, we Schwab international account. Now, we recently confirmed with Schwab directly recently confirmed with Schwab directly recently confirmed with Schwab directly that the international division still that the international division still that the international division still has all those great debit card benefits.

has all those great debit card benefits. has all those great debit card benefits. Only thing to note is that Schwab Only thing to note is that Schwab Only thing to note is that Schwab doesn't support every country on the doesn't support every country on the doesn't support every country on the earth, so you should double-check the earth, so you should double-check the earth, so you should double-check the list of supported countries on their list of supported countries on their list of supported countries on their site. Another great option for banking site. Another great option for banking site. Another great option for banking is USAA. If you've ever served in the US is USAA. If you've ever served in the US is USAA. If you've ever served in the US military or you have a family member who military or you have a family member who military or you have a family member who has served, then this name is probably has served, then this name is probably has served, then this name is probably familiar to you. Of course, many familiar to you. Of course, many familiar to you. Of course, many military members are stationed overseas, military members are stationed overseas, military members are stationed overseas, so this bank is used to people with a so this bank is used to people with a so this bank is used to people with a global lifestyle. One important thing to global lifestyle. One important thing to global lifestyle. One important thing to note is that USAA won't offer new bank note is that USAA won't offer new bank note is that USAA won't offer new bank accounts to members with foreign accounts to members with foreign accounts to members with foreign addresses, but if you already have an addresses, but if you already have an addresses, but if you already have an account with them before you go account with them before you go account with them before you go overseas, then you're all set. In order overseas, then you're all set. In order overseas, then you're all set. In order to be eligible, you must be either a to be eligible, you must be either a to be eligible, you must be either a current or former member of the US current or former member of the US current or former member of the US military or the spouse or child of a military or the spouse or child of a military or the spouse or child of a current USAA member. As an added bonus, current USAA member. As an added bonus, current USAA member. As an added bonus, the USAA debit card offers $10 worth of the USAA debit card offers $10 worth of the USAA debit card offers $10 worth of ATM fee rebates every month. Now, one ATM fee rebates every month. Now, one ATM fee rebates every month. Now, one kind of under the radar option for kind of under the radar option for kind of under the radar option for banking is the State Department Federal banking is the State Department Federal banking is the State Department Federal Credit Union. This is one of the few US Credit Union. This is one of the few US Credit Union. This is one of the few US banks that actually allows you to use a banks that actually allows you to use a banks that actually allows you to use a foreign residential address, and you can foreign residential address, and you can foreign residential address, and you can even open an account online. Despite the even open an account online. Despite the even open an account online. Despite the name, they are not owned by the US name, they are not owned by the US name, they are not owned by the US government. The SDFCU is a nonprofit government. The SDFCU is a nonprofit government. The SDFCU is a nonprofit cooperative owned by the members. Your cooperative owned by the members. Your cooperative owned by the members. Your money is fully insured up to $250,000 by money is fully insured up to $250,000 by money is fully insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union the National Credit Union the National Credit Union Administration, which is similar to the Administration, which is similar to the Administration, which is similar to the FDIC. Getting an account is totally FDIC. Getting an account is totally FDIC. Getting an account is totally free, and you can use it for things like

free, and you can use it for things like free, and you can use it for things like bill pay and money transfers. The one bill pay and money transfers. The one bill pay and money transfers. The one caveat is that you first need to be a caveat is that you first need to be a caveat is that you first need to be a member of an affiliated organization in member of an affiliated organization in member of an affiliated organization in order to join. There's a full list on order to join. There's a full list on order to join. There's a full list on their website. One easy option anybody their website. One easy option anybody their website. One easy option anybody can do is join an organization like can do is join an organization like can do is join an organization like American Citizens Abroad. It costs 70 American Citizens Abroad. It costs 70 American Citizens Abroad. It costs 70 bucks a year. Now, two other names that bucks a year. Now, two other names that bucks a year. Now, two other names that come up a lot are Alliant Federal Credit come up a lot are Alliant Federal Credit come up a lot are Alliant Federal Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union. We've Union and PenFed Credit Union. We've Union and PenFed Credit Union. We've heard some good things about them, but heard some good things about them, but heard some good things about them, but some people do report that opening an some people do report that opening an some people do report that opening an account from abroad can be a bit slow account from abroad can be a bit slow account from abroad can be a bit slow and complicated. For example, Alliant and complicated. For example, Alliant and complicated. For example, Alliant has been known to require expats to mail has been known to require expats to mail has been known to require expats to mail in their applications the old-fashioned in their applications the old-fashioned in their applications the old-fashioned way with photocopies of their passports way with photocopies of their passports way with photocopies of their passports and a utility bill that is translated and a utility bill that is translated and a utility bill that is translated into English to prove their foreign into English to prove their foreign into English to prove their foreign address. Whatever option you choose from address. Whatever option you choose from address. Whatever option you choose from this list or whether you go with some this list or whether you go with some this list or whether you go with some other option, the important thing is other option, the important thing is other option, the important thing is that you have two or three accounts with that you have two or three accounts with that you have two or three accounts with different banks. You never know when the different banks. You never know when the different banks. You never know when the rules could change, when your account rules could change, when your account rules could change, when your account could suddenly get frozen, etc. So, it's could suddenly get frozen, etc. So, it's could suddenly get frozen, etc. So, it's good to have a few backup options to good to have a few backup options to good to have a few backup options to access your money just in case something access your money just in case something access your money just in case something happens. Now, why is banking abroad so happens. Now, why is banking abroad so happens. Now, why is banking abroad so difficult? Well, the one thing you want difficult? Well, the one thing you want difficult? Well, the one thing you want to keep in mind is that like 99% of US to keep in mind is that like 99% of US to keep in mind is that like 99% of US banks want their customers to maintain a banks want their customers to maintain a banks want their customers to maintain a US residential address on file. That's US residential address on file. That's US residential address on file. That's because of KYC and all that other because of KYC and all that other because of KYC and all that other Patriot Act stuff. Puts a lot of Patriot Act stuff. Puts a lot of Patriot Act stuff. Puts a lot of restrictions on banks regarding their restrictions on banks regarding their restrictions on banks regarding their overseas customers and what they can and overseas customers and what they can and overseas customers and what they can and cannot do. Quick plug for ourselves here

cannot do. Quick plug for ourselves here cannot do. Quick plug for ourselves here at Savvy Nomad, we provide a US at Savvy Nomad, we provide a US at Savvy Nomad, we provide a US residential address in Florida as a residential address in Florida as a residential address in Florida as a monthly subscription, which also has the monthly subscription, which also has the monthly subscription, which also has the advantage of state tax savings once you advantage of state tax savings once you advantage of state tax savings once you get your residency. Link is in the video get your residency. Link is in the video get your residency. Link is in the video description and you can use the code description and you can use the code description and you can use the code YouTube to get a discount. Now, if you YouTube to get a discount. Now, if you YouTube to get a discount. Now, if you have a good experience with a bank or a have a good experience with a bank or a have a good experience with a bank or a credit union that we didn't mention on credit union that we didn't mention on credit union that we didn't mention on this list, make sure you drop a comment. this list, make sure you drop a comment. this list, make sure you drop a comment. We'd all love to know about it. Spread We'd all love to know about it. Spread We'd all love to know about it. Spread the knowledge. And don't forget to like the knowledge. And don't forget to like the knowledge. And don't forget to like and subscribe to our free weekly email and subscribe to our free weekly email and subscribe to our free weekly email list, Americans Abroad. Link is in the list, Americans Abroad. Link is in the list, Americans Abroad. Link is in the video description. Thanks for watching video description. Thanks for watching video description. Thanks for watching and we'll see you in the next video.