Earlier this year the money transfer service TransferWise launched what they call a "Borderless" account. It's a virtual bank account that gives you US and UK bank details. I signed up for it a few months back, and since then it's saved me so much money on exchange rates that I thought I'd share my experiences with it.
Who is it for?
Anyone that gets paid online and earns USD, but has no access to a USD bank account. Until borderless came along I was getting paid in USD but having to let the bank convert to my local currency. As you can imagine, the bank's exchange rate was not exactly the mid-market rate. The borderless account accepts USD, and although it enforces a currency conversion in order to move it on to a traditional bank account after that (supports tons of currencies), the exchange rate given is better than most banks.
It's good for non-US-based PayPal users too. If you get paid in USD via PayPal, and PayPal will only let you withdraw to your local currency (thus enforcing their awful conversion rate), then you can add your USD borderless account details into PayPal and withdraw USD - even with a non-US PayPal account. Transferwise's exchange rate will be way better than PayPal's when you then withdraw it to your proper bank account. You may need to call paypal to get them to add US bank details to a non-US paypal account, but in my experience they will do it for you if you ask.
What's the sign up process like?
There's 2 types of accounts within the borderless account, a personal account and a business account. For the personal account they'll need to see a copy of your passport (photo of it will do). And for the business account they'll need to see your incorporation certificate and maybe share certificate. They don't seem to mind where you're incorporated. Their support is really good. I sent them loads of questions and they always replied within approx 1 working day. It is free to sign up by the way.
What are the benefits?
Saving money by letting TW decide the exchange rate instead of your local bank. TW most likely offer better rates. Other than that, it's good to have as a backup bank account in case any of your other bank accounts have issues. Like I said free to sign up so no real downside.
What are the drawbacks?
- It won't let you withdraw a currency that you paid into it. A currency conversion is enforced, but the fees you'll pay on the conversion will be better than most banks will offer. It usually comes in at around 1%, I'm finding.
- There is currently no debit card that comes with it, but that is apparently on the way.
- I don't think money kept in the borderless account is insured the way it is when it's in a traditional bank account. That said, transferwise are doing so well that there's barely any chance that they'll go bust any time soon. In any case, the borderless account is best used as a means for transferring from one currency to another without poor exchange rates, rather than a place to store money long term.
So I've had the account for a few months now and no problems. Hopefully this will help someone. Happy to answer any questions!
Who is it for?
Anyone that gets paid online and earns USD, but has no access to a USD bank account. Until borderless came along I was getting paid in USD but having to let the bank convert to my local currency. As you can imagine, the bank's exchange rate was not exactly the mid-market rate. The borderless account accepts USD, and although it enforces a currency conversion in order to move it on to a traditional bank account after that (supports tons of currencies), the exchange rate given is better than most banks.
It's good for non-US-based PayPal users too. If you get paid in USD via PayPal, and PayPal will only let you withdraw to your local currency (thus enforcing their awful conversion rate), then you can add your USD borderless account details into PayPal and withdraw USD - even with a non-US PayPal account. Transferwise's exchange rate will be way better than PayPal's when you then withdraw it to your proper bank account. You may need to call paypal to get them to add US bank details to a non-US paypal account, but in my experience they will do it for you if you ask.
What's the sign up process like?
There's 2 types of accounts within the borderless account, a personal account and a business account. For the personal account they'll need to see a copy of your passport (photo of it will do). And for the business account they'll need to see your incorporation certificate and maybe share certificate. They don't seem to mind where you're incorporated. Their support is really good. I sent them loads of questions and they always replied within approx 1 working day. It is free to sign up by the way.
What are the benefits?
Saving money by letting TW decide the exchange rate instead of your local bank. TW most likely offer better rates. Other than that, it's good to have as a backup bank account in case any of your other bank accounts have issues. Like I said free to sign up so no real downside.
What are the drawbacks?
- It won't let you withdraw a currency that you paid into it. A currency conversion is enforced, but the fees you'll pay on the conversion will be better than most banks will offer. It usually comes in at around 1%, I'm finding.
- There is currently no debit card that comes with it, but that is apparently on the way.
- I don't think money kept in the borderless account is insured the way it is when it's in a traditional bank account. That said, transferwise are doing so well that there's barely any chance that they'll go bust any time soon. In any case, the borderless account is best used as a means for transferring from one currency to another without poor exchange rates, rather than a place to store money long term.
So I've had the account for a few months now and no problems. Hopefully this will help someone. Happy to answer any questions!