Bank of America in France: Everything you need to know before opening an account

While Bank of America (BoA) mainly operates within the United States, it also has a presence in Europe and the Middle East.

If you’re looking for a way to open a US dollar account, you’ve probably heard of this bank. Choosing BoA could offer more flexibility, but keep in mind you may incur extra fees due to the marked-up exchange rate the bank applies for currency conversions.

If you regularly handle both US dollars and euros, it could be a good idea to consider a multi-currency account, such as the one offered by Wise. You’ll benefit from the mid-market exchange rate for your EUR/USD conversions and get a debit card that allows you to spend without fees if you hold the transaction currency in your account and no conversion is needed.

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Bank of America in France

Does Bank of America operate in France?

Bank of America operates in over 35 countries worldwide, including France. However, its activities in France do not include banking services for individuals.¹

Does Bank of America have a branch in Paris?

Yes. Bank of America has a branch in France, located in Paris at 51 rue La Boétie, in the 8th arrondissement. However, this is not a traditional branch where you can open a personal account.²

Does Bank of America have banking partners in France?

Bank of America is part of the Global Alliance network, which includes BNP Paribas. This means that if you withdraw money from a BNP ATM in France, you won’t be charged withdrawal fees. However, if you have a US dollar account, you may still face additional costs due to the marked-up exchange rate.

For any withdrawal made at an ATM outside this network, a $5 fee applies. Additionally, 3% of the US dollar amount will be charged for each currency conversion.³

Why would you need a US bank account in France?

Having a US bank account in France allows you to make transfers in US dollars without currency conversion.

Currency exchange transactions usually result in extra costs because banks apply a marked-up exchange rate. By transferring directly in US dollars, you’ll only pay transaction fees.

Another advantage is that if you travel to the United States, you won’t be charged for ATM withdrawals or card payments there.

What is a US dollar account?

A US dollar account lets you hold and manage funds in USD. Many banks—both American and European—offer this service.

If your account is linked to a debit card, you can use it to withdraw cash from ATMs. When you withdraw abroad, the amount (in local currency) is converted to US dollars and debited from your account.

In such cases, the bank applies a marked-up exchange rate, and you’ll incur fees for foreign currency withdrawals, in addition to transaction fees.

What are the advantages of a US dollar account?

A US dollar account can be useful if you often travel to the United States or regularly make payments or transfers in USD from France.

Here are a few common situations where such an account can be worthwhile:

• You receive your salary in US dollars: This helps you avoid reception and conversion fees (marked-up exchange rate and commission).
• You frequently make transactions in US dollars: Transfers won’t be subject to your bank’s surcharged rate, which can save you money over time.
• You often travel to the US: With a debit card linked to your US dollar account, you’ll have access to your funds without incurring conversion fees when withdrawing or paying in stores.

How to open a US bank account in France?

The easiest option is to find a branch of your chosen bank if one operates in your city. However, very few US banks in France offer services for individuals.

Alternatively, you could try opening a non-resident online account with a US bank from France, though there’s no guarantee your application will be accepted.

To open a US dollar account more easily, you could consider Wise. In just a few minutes, you can open a multi-currency account and order a debit card to make payments and withdrawals at a lower cost.

Can I open an online account if I am American?

In theory, opening a bank account in France as a US citizen is possible. However, if you already have an account elsewhere and are not a French resident, local banks are not required to accept your application.

If you live in France, the process will be much easier—you’ll just need to provide proof of address and identity to open a current account.

Non-residents are not eligible for certain savings products in France, such as the livret de développement durable et solidaire, livret d’épargne populaire, livret jeune, or plan d’épargne en actions.

Alternative to traditional banks: open a multi-currency account online

Opening a US dollar account with Bank of America from France is not possible for individuals, so you may need to look at French institutions instead—but there’s no guarantee they’ll offer this option.

With Wise, the process is much simpler: visit the website and open a multi-currency account in just a few steps. For a €7 postage fee, you’ll receive an international debit card that lets you manage your money across currencies.

The Wise account offers several benefits:

• Whenever a conversion is needed, it’s done at the mid-market exchange rate, with only a small transparent fee.
• No commission on payments if you use the transaction currency and no conversion is required.
• US dollar and euro transfers at reduced fees, converted at the mid-market rate, without hidden mark-ups.

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Last verified on September 07, 2025.

This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.