about 20 Russian banks were able to open correspondent accounts abroad – Kommersant

About 20 Russian banks with a basic license have opened correspondent accounts abroad, said Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Alexei Guznov. He did not specify the exact number of such banks and their names.

“Significantly more than three banks with a basic license have opened their accounts … about 20,” Mr. Guznov said during a speech at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (quoted by Interfax).

Alexey Guznov also said that the Central Bank is ready to support the final removal of restrictions on opening correspondent accounts abroad by Russian banks. “Accordingly, we hope that appropriate amendments to the bill will be prepared in the near future,” he said.

Earlier “RIA Novosti” with reference to the data of the Central Bank reportedthat out of 101 banks with a basic license in Russia, only three were able to open foreign accounts for international settlements. This information was confirmed by the head of the State Duma Committee on the financial market Anatoly Aksakov. According to him, other banks are negotiating, but this process is “complicated.”

In July 2022, a law came into force that allows banks with a basic license to open correspondent accounts with foreign banks until December 31, 2023. In March, the head of the Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, said that the regulator was considering lifting the restriction for banks with a basic license on a permanent basis.

Olesya Pavlenko