Money Matters ( post sanctions)
Apr 2, 2014, 7:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,657
Money Matters ( post sanctions)
I just got back from MOW last week, and had to avoid SMP bank ( the Rotenberg brothers, judo friends of Vladmir Vladmirovich) . Allegedly foreign ATM cards work (per Russia Today) but I did not fully investigate.
There is one Barclays Bank machine left in Moscow ( Barclays exited the Russian market in 2011?) so I stuck to either ROS bank ( French Societe General) or Alfa Bank ( Micheal Friedman, who is not sanctioned I believe), and I was able to get money from a USD dollar account based in the United States with no problems.
I thought I would start this tread to keep up with the evolving situation, as it would totally be bad news for travelers to discover that they are locked out of funds to pay for things whist in Russia.
Did anyone else have problems?
There is one Barclays Bank machine left in Moscow ( Barclays exited the Russian market in 2011?) so I stuck to either ROS bank ( French Societe General) or Alfa Bank ( Micheal Friedman, who is not sanctioned I believe), and I was able to get money from a USD dollar account based in the United States with no problems.
I thought I would start this tread to keep up with the evolving situation, as it would totally be bad news for travelers to discover that they are locked out of funds to pay for things whist in Russia.
Did anyone else have problems?
Apr 3, 2014, 1:52 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: ATL/MOO (Many Others Often)
Programs: DL GM (2MM), Lifetime Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,456
Alfa worked for me last week in Moscow, Novosibirsk and Minsk.
Never thought about this being a problem. Thanks for the heads up. Not back again till June but will lean heavily on bankomats then for sure. Thanks!
Never thought about this being a problem. Thanks for the heads up. Not back again till June but will lean heavily on bankomats then for sure. Thanks!
Apr 4, 2014, 5:14 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,657
Bank Rossiya (obviously) and SMP may pose a difficulty. Foreign bank accounts should work, but who knows if JP Morgan Chase / Bank of America are doing their own blocking. Why make life difficult for yourself?. The best way would be if you have a local Russian bank account like Sber for example ( wire money to that account from the US) that you just use while there. I don't have such a facility.
ROS bank (Societie General) would be safe I suppose, along with Citibank ( not always convenient). Pity Barclays is down to one branch these days. Who knew it would come to this?
My trip to Moscow last week will probably be my last for while. The propaganda is just too intense. I find myself in the to be in a strange place where I can understand and appreciate both sides ( having spent a lot of time in Russia) but there is too much heat of nationalistic pride going on right now.
Especially if you are from the US.
I think I might have to start calling myself Canadian.
ROS bank (Societie General) would be safe I suppose, along with Citibank ( not always convenient). Pity Barclays is down to one branch these days. Who knew it would come to this?
My trip to Moscow last week will probably be my last for while. The propaganda is just too intense. I find myself in the to be in a strange place where I can understand and appreciate both sides ( having spent a lot of time in Russia) but there is too much heat of nationalistic pride going on right now.
Especially if you are from the US.
I think I might have to start calling myself Canadian.
Apr 28, 2014, 5:47 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,657
Add invest capital bank, and sobin Bank to the list . Also Visa and MasterCard are being caught on the crossfire and are being asked to pony up 2 days worth of processing held in escrow with the Russian central bank
For the time being alternatives are available, meaning you can get cash with a foreign card at different banks
For the time being alternatives are available, meaning you can get cash with a foreign card at different banks