Updated October 16, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
Cathay United digital accounts vs ZA Bank
Cathay United digital accounts
ZA Bank
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | Cathay United digital accountsReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | ZA BankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer fee | Interbank transfer/remittance NTD 30 per item up to NTD 2,000,000, plus NTD 10 per each additional NTD 1,000,000; interbank card transfer NTD 0 for the first NTD 500 item per account per day, then NTD 10 (NTD 501-1,000), NTD 15 (above NTD 1,001) | FPS instant transfers free; SWIFT to 140+ countries and regions with zero ZA Bank fee |
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | HK$0 |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 11 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | HK$0 |
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Key differences
- Founded is lower at Cathay United digital accounts: 1975 vs 2020.
- Support channels: only ZA Bank offers Help centre.
- Audience: only Cathay United digital accounts offers Expats.
- Audience: only ZA Bank offers Travelers, Business.
Our verdict on each
Cathay United digital accounts
The FAQ defines the digital deposit account as a Taiwan-dollar or foreign-currency demand savings account opened through an automated channel.
ZA Bank
ZA Bank is an app-only easy-access account for travelers and businesses that need to hold and move money in several currencies. It suits users who put access first and interest second, since a headline rate of 0.01% sits well below the savings account median of 3%.
Score breakdown
| Area | Cathay United digital accounts | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.3Monthly fee of HKD 0 against a site median of €0, with a minimum deposit of HKD 0. |
| Offer | 9.2Higher | 8.9An easy access account on a variable rate, holding 11 currencies with no term attached. |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 8.1 |
How they place
| Ranking | Cathay United digital accounts | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 944 of 1420 | 542 of 1420 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Cathay United digital accounts | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Expats | Travelers, Business |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | No monthly fee |
| Features | Not confirmed | Free ATM, Digital only |
| Legal entity | Cathay United Bank Co., Ltd. | ZA Bank Limited |
| Headquarters | Taiwan | Hong Kong |
| Founded | 1975Lower | 2020 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone | Email, Phone, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Money transfer
| Fact | Cathay United digital accounts | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Payout methods | Bank | Not confirmed |
| Fee to send 1,000 | NT$300 | Not confirmed |
Savings
| Fact | Cathay United digital accounts | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | Not confirmed | 0.01% |
| Rate type | Not confirmed | Variable |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | HK$0 |
| Access terms | Not confirmed | Deposit and withdraw money as you wish, 24 x 7 in the ZA Bank app |
| Account kind | Not confirmed | Easy access |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Cathay United digital accounts | ZA Bank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | HK$0at the median | HK$0 |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 11above the median | 5 |
Median across 536 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
Cathay United digital accounts
Pros
- The FAQ defines the digital deposit account as a Taiwan-dollar or foreign-currency demand savings account opened through an automated channel.
- Applicants receive the review result by email and text message after submitting details.
ZA Bank
Pros
- Instant FPS transfers cost nothing, and SWIFT transfers carry no ZA Bank fee.
- A minimum deposit of HKD 0, so a balance can start small and grow.
- Support runs on email, phone and chat, so help is not limited to the app.
Cons
- The headline rate of 0.01% ranks 447 of 473, so this is a place to keep money rather than grow it.
- A variable rate on an easy access account gives no term in which to lock a better rate for longer.
- Digital-only handling under free atm and digital only means no branch or counter service, so cash and paperwork happen in the app.
Who each suits
Cathay United digital accounts
Who it suits
- Taiwan applicants checking Cathay United digital deposit accounts
ZA Bank
Who it suits
- Travelers and businesses, the audiences ZA Bank lists, who need easy-access money in 11 currencies.
- Holders who want a minimum deposit of HKD 0 rather than a barrier to opening.
- Users who need help beyond the app, since support runs on email, phone and chat.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers shopping on listed rates, where Plazo ES shows 24.19% and AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito shows 21.59%.
- Wallet-first readers, since PayPal Colombia at 3.3% fits balances held in a wallet rather than an easy-access bank balance.
Current offers
ZA Bank
Current offer
Bonus
High-Rate Pot savings rate: Up to 5% p.a. total savings rate (up to 4.99% reward rate plus 0.01% HKD basic interest rate)
Campaign period; reward rate valid from the day the challenge is completed to the last day of that month; eligible deposit limit varies by user tier and is shown on the High-Rate Pot page; T&C apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Chill Pot promotional rate: 0.5% p.a.
Applies to HKD 1,000,000 or below balance in Chill Pot under ZA Perks Lv1 User Level; balance above that at the basic interest rate; T&C apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Rate-up Tuesday coupons: Rate-up Coupons up to 9% p.a.; unlock bonus rate up to 18% p.a.
Claim in ZA Bank App homepage > Deposit > Rate-up Tuesday on or before 31 October 2026; terms and conditions apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Foreign Exchange Time Deposit promotional rates: 20% p.a. 7-day CNY time deposit rate; 17% p.a. 7-day USD time deposit rate
Placed via ZA Bank App homepage > Deposit > FX Time Deposit; applicable rate, currency and period as displayed in the app; FX involves risks; T&C apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Cathay United digital accounts | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | No | Yes |
| Taiwan | Yes | No |
Questions about each
ZA Bank
How much does a ZA Bank account cost to run?+
ZA Bank charges a monthly fee of HKD 0 and a minimum deposit of HKD 0 to open, so holding a balance costs nothing. Its pricing sits at the site median monthly fee of €0, and the account is listed under no monthly fee.
What rate do I get on a ZA Bank deposit?+
The deposit pays a headline rate of 0.01% and the rate type is variable, so the return moves rather than being locked in. The account kind is easy access, which suits people who need to take money out whenever they like more than people shopping for a term deal.
How many currencies can I hold with ZA Bank?+
ZA Bank holds 11 currencies, above the site median of 5 and inside the range most listed multi-currency accounts sit in. That reach is the main draw for travelers and businesses paying or receiving in several currencies at once.
Can I take out cash at ATMs without a charge?+
The free ATM allowance is HKD 0, and free atm and digital only lists free ATM access, so card cash does not eat into the balance. ZA Card handles it, which suits travelers who want local cash on arrival without a withdrawal charge.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Related by the facts
Cathay United digital accounts
ZA Bank