Best French banks for Americans
FATCA makes many French banks wary of US citizens. These are the banks and money apps that actually say yes, from online accounts you can open in your first week to the traditional branches that know what a W-9 is.
Updated July 12, 2026
Online accounts for your first week
Quick to open from your phone once you have a French address: a French IBAN for your dossier within days, while the traditional banks are still scheduling appointments.
German neobank with a proper French IBAN, no monthly fees on the base plan and a clean app. The go-to first French account.
App-first bank with a French IBAN, a polished experience, instant cards and good exchange rates. Quick to open and happy to take Americans.
Moving your dollars over
Not a French account, but the cheap way to fund one from the US side.
Multi-currency account with USD and EUR balances and cheap, transparent transfers between them. The workhorse for funding your new French account from your US ones.
Traditional banks that work with Americans
For the things neobanks are bad at: checks, cash deposits, mortgages and a banker who can un-stick a problem. Policies vary by branch, so ask directly whether they accept US persons.
Cooperative brick-and-mortar bank found all over France with a reputation for taking US clients without drama. Also one of the few that will later talk mortgages with you.
National retail bank that regularly accepts American clients. Useful second option if your local Crédit Mutuel branch hesitates.