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In this article I’ll go over the best banks for foreign debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals.
When you’re traveling abroad, paying a premium in foreign transaction fees on your credit card is nothing new. But even savvy consumers might not know that debit card transactions, including ATM withdrawals, can also be subject to expensive transaction fees. Smart cardholders can avoid paying too much in debit card foreign transaction fees by reviewing the fees charged by different banks.
Other helpful bank guides:
- Get bonus money with Bank Promotions here.
- Meeting Direct Deposit requirements for bank accounts.
- Which banks trigger a Hard/Soft Inquiry when opening accounts.
- See which banks allow credit card funding for opening deposits.
International Debit Card Transactions/ATM Withdrawals
Generally, there are two types of fees associated with foreign debit card transactions:
- Flat fees charged per transaction: These are typically a fixed-dollar-amount fee charged for every ATM withdrawal or transaction. The flat fee usually ranges from $2 to $5. This is similar to the type of fee most banks charge for out-of-network ATM transactions.
- Foreign transaction fees: This is a conversion charge levied by the bank for transactions conduction in a foreign currency. This kind of fee is usually charged as 1% to 3% of the total transaction.
Banks also have two ways of applying foreign transaction fees:
- When making an ATM withdrawal, banks will usually combine both types of fees. This means you pay the flat fee for using your debit card at a foreign ATM, plus you pay a percentage of the total amount of cash you withdraw. If you use your debit card in a transaction outside of an ATM, you’ll still pay the foreign transaction fee, but not the flat ATM withdrawal fee.
- Less commonly, banks will charge only a flat fee for ATM transactions. These banks usually charge a percentage fee, but not a flat fee, for other foreign transactions.
Best Banks With Lowest Fees For International ATMs
Let’s take a look at the banks with the lowest foreign transaction fees.
Capital One 360
This is Capital One’s online-only banking option. Capital One 360 customers don’t pay any flat fees nor any foreign transaction fees when using their debit cards abroad. According to Capital One, MasterCard may assess a percentage fee, but it’s “covered” by Capital One. Keep in mind that this only applies to Capital One 360 customers; consumers who bank with Capital One through a physical branch are subject to normal foreign transaction fees. Read more about the Capital One 360 Checking account here, along with its bonus offers.
CitiBank
Banking with CitiBank means you can use your CitiBank card to withdraw cash at CitiBank-branded foreign ATMs with no additional fees of any kind. Customers of CitiBank will pay a $2 foreign transaction fee plus a 3% conversion charge on any out-of-network ATM transaction. But, there’s good news: CitiBank has a large international presence, and they’ve made it easy to find a CitiBank location abroad online at this page. CitiBank also offers sign-up bonuses as well.
Discover Bank
Discover Bank customers can use their debit card at foreign ATMs and make other transactions abroad with absolutely no fees. The catch is that Discover Bank cards only work in a select few locations outside the United States, like Canada and Mexico. Read more about the Discover Checking account.
First Republic Bank
Banking consumers who have an opening balance of at least $500 and a monthly average balance of $3,500 or more can benefit from First Republic Bank’s lack of foreign transaction fees. First Republic bank offers free use of 800,000 ATMs across the world and free withdrawals to available limits. First Republic Bank will even refund ATM fees charged by other banks, and there is no charge for other kinds of transactions. Remember that you must have an average monthly balance of $3,500 to maintain these benefits.
Charles Schwab Bank
The Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking Account will reimburse any ATM fees from cash withdrawals worldwide, regardless of the network used. And there are no currency conversion fees for debit card transactions in a foreign currency. You can read more about Charles Schwab’s Checking and Brokerage accounts.
Other Notable Banks/Accounts
- Fidelity: If you have a Cash Management Account, you can have all ATM withdrawal fees waived. You can also use the Fidelity Visa Gold Check Card at ATMs displaying Visa, Plus, or Star logos to have ATM fees charged by other institutions reimbursed. From Fidelity: “Please note, there is a foreign transaction fee of one percent that is not waived, which will be included in the amount charged to your account.” Fidelity also has good brokerage promotions also.
- PNC Bank: PNC does not have partners overseas and you’ll get charged a $5 fee per transaction plus 3% of the transaction amount. If you are a Performance or Performance Select customer, these fees will be waived. With Spend, Reserve, or Growth accounts, the fee for the first two domestic or international non-PNC Bank ATM transactions during a statement period will be reimbursed. PNC bank has some of the best Checking bonus offers.
- USAA: USAA Bank refunds up to $15 in other banks’ ATM usage fees each month and does not charge a fee for the first 10 ATM withdrawals. Subsequent transactions will be charged $2.00 each. A 1% foreign transaction fee applies to withdrawals outside the United States, however. USAA Checking page.
More ATM Fees Data With Common Banks
Here’s more foreign ATM withdrawal fees and foreign purchase fees data on other major banks.
| Bank | Foreign ATM Withdrawal Fee | Foreign Purchase Fee |
| Ally Bank | 1% of amount | 1% |
| Bank of America | $5 + 3% of amount | 3% |
| Bank5 Connect | 1% of amount | 1% |
| Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) | $5 + 3% of amount *No flat $5 fee for account holders in Texas |
3% |
| BMO Harris Bank | $2.50 + 3% of amount No flat $2.50 fee for those with Portfolio Checking after the fifth relevant transaction |
3% |
| Chase Bank | $5 + 3% of amount (for balance inquiries at ATMs, it’s $2.50) *No flat $5 fee for those with Premier Platinum Checking |
3% |
| Citibank | $2.50 + 3% of amount *No fees for those using a Citigold debit card in participating countries |
3% |
| Citizens Bank | $3 + up to 1.8% of amount *No ATM fee for the first relevant transaction for those with Value Checking. *No ATM fee for the first four relevant transactions on a Circle Gold Checking with Interest account |
Up to 1.8% |
| BBVA Compass Bank | $3 + 1% of amount | 3% |
| Fifth Third Bank | $5 + 3% of amount | 3% |
| HSBC Bank | 3% of amount *No ATM fee with Premier Checking in most countries |
3% |
| M&T Bank | Greater of 50 cents or 3% of amount | Higher value: $5 or 3% |
| Nationwide Bank | $1.50 + 1% of amount | 1% |
| Regions Bank | $5 + 3% of amount | 3% |
| SunTrust Bank | $5 + 3% of amount | 3% |
| TD Bank | $3 | None |
| Union Bank | $5 *No ATM fee with Priority Banking or Private Advantage checking |
2% *No fee with Private Advantage |
| U.S. Bank | $2.50 + 3% of amount *No ATM fee for Premium and Platinum checking. First four non-U.S. Bank ATM uses free with Student Checking. |
3% *If processing foreign currency to U.S. dollars instead, then the fee is 2%. |
| Wells Fargo Bank | $5 *Additional 3% of cash withdrawals made through a teller |
3% of value |
Final Thoughts
You should always talk to your bank before traveling abroad. Even if they usually charge a fee for foreign transactions, many banks will waive such fees for premium customers or customers that consistently carry a large balance. If your bank has a physical branch or partner bank in your destination country, you may be able to use those branches to avoid foreign transaction fees altogether.
Watch out for fees charged by foreign ATM operators, since these are separate from any charges levied by your bank. The ATM itself should notify you if it will charge you a fee like this.
Nobody wants to come home from a vacation to find a bank statement with unexpected charges for foreign ATM and debit transactions. Always double check with your bank and review the best options before using your debit card abroad.
*Tip: Don’t forget to always have merchants charge you in the local currency vs. US dollars when traveling abroad.
