Business Account Opening

Digital platforms such as Airwallex and Wise onboard fully remotely. Singapore banks increasingly accept video verification for eligible foreign-owned companies, though it is case by case. Hong Kong's traditional banks usually still expect at least one director to attend in person — plan a trip, or start with a digital account.

Digital platforms: usually days. Singapore banks: typically two to eight weeks for foreign-owned companies. Hong Kong banks: typically six to twelve weeks. Anyone promising a guaranteed one-week bank approval is describing the exception, not the rule.

The common reasons are incomplete or inconsistent documents, a business description the bank cannot understand or verify, high-risk industries or transaction countries, unexplained ownership structures, and directors who cannot answer basic questions about the business. Good preparation removes most of these.

Platforms like Airwallex, Wise and Aspire are licensed payment institutions rather than banks, so deposits are safeguarded rather than covered by deposit insurance. For collecting, holding and paying in multiple currencies they work like a bank account and are accepted by most customers and suppliers. Many companies run both a digital account and a traditional bank account.

No — we are independent and never the provider. We assess your route, match you with vetted providers who prepare and submit your application, and introduce digital platforms directly. The provider you choose does the work; the bank makes the final decision.

Our matching is free to founders. Providers typically charge a fixed fee for bank account opening support, often bundled with incorporation; you will see each provider's fee before you commit. Digital platforms are usually free to open, with fees on transactions and FX.