OREANDA-NEWS  Senators approved a law allowing foreign banks to open branches in Russia from September 1, 2024.

This will create conditions for the development of the international settlement system, and will also help attract foreign investment into the Russian economy, the explanatory note says.

The law allows a foreign bank to open one branch in the territory of the Russian Federation. Moreover, such a branch is prohibited from opening internal structural divisions and attracting bank payment agents.

A foreign bank through a branch in the Russian Federation will be able to conduct professional activities in the securities market, with the exception of trust management. When carrying out banking operations and transactions through a branch, the rights and obligations arise directly from the bank that opened it.

To open a branch, a foreign bank must conduct banking activities for at least three years and have a credit rating level that meets the criteria of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation to operate in the Russian market. To ensure the fulfillment of the branch's obligations, a security deposit in the minimum amount of 1 billion rubles is required.

Branches will have the right to carry out collection operations; buy and sell foreign currency; make money transfers; as well as open and maintain accounts, transfer funds on them – but subject to the restrictions imposed on them. Thus, branches will not be able to open accounts for individuals.