The backbone of the banking system consists of the following three levels:
1. The Central Bank and Sberbank (National Savings Bank) in tandem.
2. A network of major banks operating throughout the country running a network of branches in the region.
3. Regional banks.
Below we list major banks that are still operating, but because change occurs very quickly, some of our information may be out-of-date by the time you read this.
TYPNote: Most banks require passports for entry and transactions.
Foreign Banks.
More than 60 foreign banks have "Representative Offices" in Moscow and do not engage in retail banking operations. Normal hours are 9 to 18. English and the language of the bank's country are spoken.
Most foreign banks are taking a wait and see approach in planning future expansion in the Russian market. Lending has been restricted to firms who export to companies located outside of Russia. In order to expand operations in Russia foreign banks are looking for the protection of international law, and the ability to leave in the short run. Most foreign banks in Russia are more fearful of the absence of law than of the economic risks. Most of foreigner banks in Russia do not fear of the economic risks, but of absence of law.
Russian Commercial Banks.
Services provided:
- accounts opened free of charge (both ruble and foreign currency accounts); opened at short notice;
- cash deposits and withdrawals
- cash deliveries and collection (Moscow and Russia)
- standing orders at the customer's request
- various currency exchange schemes
- passports for import and export deals
- payments of import contracts, services and work
- money transfers via Western Union
- advice on foreign currency regulations and a choice of different overseas payment settlements
- safe deposit boxes
- plastic cards Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, Cirrus/Maestro, Electron/Plus, American Express, Union Card
- operations will own promissory notes
- foreign currency exchange.
Getting Cash in Moscow.
Normally there are three ways to get cash in dollars in Moscow.
1. Credit Card cash advances at ATMs, see CREDIT CARDS.
2. Western Union and MoneGram Money Transfer, see WESTERN UNION.
3. Wire Transfers. Banks that do wire transfers are usually members of the international "SWIFT currency transfer" system. If you plan ahead, it is best to ask about wire transfers before you leave home. Ask your bank if they have a "correspondent bank" in Moscow. If they do, you can get money wired almost overnight, if you have opened an account in a Russian bank. Some require that you open an account with a deposit varying from $20 - $1000 and some do not. They usually charge a fee of 1- 4% of the amount transferred, and it takes from 2 to 10 days.
TYPTip: As of today there no effective deposit insurance for commercial banks, so check the quality of your bank carefully. These, according to our sources, are some of the better banks in Moscow.
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