Here are widely recognized banks that offer strong global / cross‑border services, grouped by the use cases people most often need. Below each entry I’ve noted the main strength and a short practical point to check. (If you want deeper comparisons for a specific country, client type or fee profile I can fetch that.)

Best for expats & multi‑currency personal banking

• HSBC — large global branch network, “Global View” and instant Global Transfers between accounts in many countries; strong multi‑currency and expat account options. Good if you move frequently or need coordinated accounts across jurisdictions. (internationalservices.hsbc.com, expat.hsbc.com)

• Citibank (Citi International / International Personal Banking) — long global footprint and tailored international/personal banking packages (multi‑currency services, global fee waivers at higher tiers). Good when you want a US‑linked bank that’s active around the world. (citibank.com.hk)

Best for corporate, commercial and treasury/global payments

• J.P. Morgan (JPMorgan Chase) — market leader for corporate & institutional cross‑border banking, payments, FX and trade finance; very large global coverage and payment/treasury solutions. Best for businesses that need global cash management and capital markets access. (jpmorgan.com)

• Deutsche Bank — strong corporate & cash management franchise in Europe and growing cross‑border payment / treasury capabilities (incl. partnerships for real‑time and cross‑border solutions). Good for European corporates and FX/treasury needs. (db.com)

Best for private banking / wealth management across jurisdictions

• UBS — one of the world’s largest private banks and a top choice for cross‑border wealth management and complex international structures. Best for high‑net‑worth clients who need global wealth, lending and tax‑sensitive planning. (ubs.com, privatebankerinternational.com)

• BNP Paribas — very strong Europe/EMEA footprint with integrated retail, corporate and wealth platforms; useful for clients and companies with ties across Europe, Americas and Asia. (group.bnpparibas, businesswire.com)

Best for Asia / Africa / emerging markets coverage

• Standard Chartered — deep footprint across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with private banking and retail products suited to clients and firms operating in those regions. Good for businesses/expats focused on Asia‑Africa corridors. (sc.com, reuters.com)

• Santander — strong presence in Europe and Latin America; often recommended for clients with needs in Spain/Latin America corridors (retail and commercial solutions). (thestreet.com)

International / offshore retail options (specialized international accounts)

• Barclays International — UK‑based international banking for expats and non‑residents (multi‑currency accounts, offshore solutions), with minimum‑balance/eligibility rules for international accounts. Good if you need UK/EUR/USD offshore rails and relationship management. (international.barclays.com)

Alternatives (digital-first multi‑currency / low‑fee transfers)

• Wise (formerly TransferWise), Revolut, N26, Charles Schwab (for US expats) — fintech or specialist alternatives that often beat banks on FX rates and transfer fees and offer multi‑currency accounts and debit cards. Best for frequent travelers, digital nomads and low‑balance users. (wise.com)

How to choose the right global bank (quick checklist)

• Coverage: confirm the bank has a licensed presence (or supported service) in the countries you need.
• Services: match product to need — retail/current accounts, multi‑currency accounts, FX hedging, global transfers, international mortgages, corporate treasury, or private banking.
• Costs & FX: compare transfer fees, FX markups and ATM fees (these vary widely).
• Eligibility & minimums: many international accounts require minimum balances or minimum investible assets; some banks restrict products by residence.
• Security & deposit protection: check the deposit insurance rules for the country where the account is held.
  (Practical guides and expert articles on these choice criteria are covered by expat banking guides and consumer finance sites.) (internationalcitizens.com, forbes.com)

Practical next steps (what most people do)

• Pick 2–3 banks that cover your key countries and needs.
• Check minimum eligibility and required documents (passport, proof of residence, tax ID, proof of funds). Banks’ “International/Expat” pages usually list these and any minimum balances. (international.barclays.com, expat.hsbc.com)

Notes & caveats

• “Best” depends on your situation: retail expat vs small business vs corporate treasury vs HNW wealth client each has different winners.
• Bank offerings, fees and country coverage change — if you want exact fee schedules, account minimums or up‑to‑date product availability for a specific bank + country, I can pull those live details and compare them.

If you tell me which of these applies (individual expat, U.S.‑based business with international payroll, HNW family office, etc.) and the countries you care about, I’ll create a short, targeted shortlist with account‑opening notes and likely fees.