A simple way to prepare effective catalysts with low Au loadings for the oxidation of borohydride is presented herein. Gold-cobalt and gold-cobalt-boron catalysts were deposited on the copper surface (denoted as Au/Co/Cu and Au/CoB/Cu) via the galvanic displacement technique. The morphology and composition of catalysts have been characterized using FESEM, EDX, TEM and ICP-OES. The activity of Au/Co/Cu and Au/CoB/Cu was examined toward borohydride oxidation by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. It has been determined that the Au/Co/Cu and Au/CoB/Cu catalysts exhibit a significantly higher activity and stability toward the oxidation of BH4-. ions as compared to that of Au, Co/Cu and CoB/Cu. (C) 2015 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.