The war in Ukraine and your banking affairs
Credit transfers to and from Ukraine and Russia
The impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is being felt across the globe, first and foremost by the people of Ukraine and their loved ones, but also in the global economy. The sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union affect the payment systems of all Dutch banks, including that of ABN AMRO. Moreover, banks are facing an increased risk of cyber-attacks and fraud. We will do everything we can to keep your personal data safe. On this page, you can read more about the impact of the sanctions on your banking affairs.
Frequently asked questions about credit transfers to and from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine
Can I still transfer payments to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine?
Payment transactions with Russia are becoming increasingly difficult, both in euro (EUR) and in US dollar (USD), as both the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) have imposed sanctions on transactions with certain regions in Ukraine. It mainly concerns Crimea and the oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. The US measures are stricter in some aspects, which means that USD payments will be rejected more often than EUR payments. In practice, banks actively analyze which areas are under Russian control, and transactions with those areas can be rejected. ABN AMRO is also keeping a finger on the pulse, in order to avoid that transactions of our clients are rejected by US banks for example.
Payments in RUB will no longer be processed by ABN AMRO from 1 June 2025 onwards. The clients who use this service have been informed separately.
Can I still receive incoming payments from Russia and Belarus?
It will become more difficult for ABN AMRO account holders to receive payments from Russia and Belarus due to the SWIFT measures in place. Transactions in RUB will be returned to the payer from 1 June 2025 onwards.
Are there any restrictions in USD, EUR, RUB, BYN, and UAH?
In recent years, payments in BYN and UAH could not be made from an ABN AMRO account, and this remains unchanged. Payments in USD, GBP, and EUR are still possible, provided that sanctions in the US and the UK are taken into account. As of 1 June 2025, ABN AMRO will no longer process transactions in RUB.
Suppose I send money to Russia, Belarus or Ukraine today, will it arrive the next day?
With the exception of the banks that have been expelled from the SWIFT banking network, other banks in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine can still receive our payment instructions. However, we cannot guarantee whether and how quickly they will process these payments.
To what extent has ABN AMRO been affected by the SWIFT sanctions?
Since the expulsion of a number of banks from the SWIFT network on 20 March 2022, we are no longer able to process incoming or outgoing SWIFT transactions with these banks and their clients. See the table below for the list of sanctioned organisations and how this will affect you.
Can I use my ABN AMRO debit card to make payments in Russia?
No, that is no longer possible. AMRO AMRO issues MAESTRO cards which are accepted at terminals of MAESTRO acceptance points. These acceptance points (shops, ATMs, etc.) are clients of a bank that is connected to the MasterCard network. MasterCard is the owner of the MAESTRO brand. Effective 5 March 2022, cards issued by Russian banks will no longer be supported by the Mastercard network and cards issued outside Russia will no longer work within the country. Thus, the ABN AMRO debit card will not work in Russia.
Can I pay cash in Russia or to Russian individuals or organisations?
There is no ban on the use of cash (including Euros) already on hand in Russia. However, the EU has prohibited, subject to certain exceptions, the supply of euro-denominated banknotes to Russia or to any natural person or organisation in Russia, or for use in Russia. The prohibition does not apply where the banknotes are for the personal use of natural persons travelling to Russia. For more information, please refer to the EU Sanctions Regulation (Article 5).
Opening a current account for Ukrainian refugees
We welcome refugees from Ukraine to open a current account with ABN AMRO using the ABN AMRO app.
Together in action for Ukraine
The Netherlands takes massive action for Ukraine. From small to big actions; any form of support is very welcome and urgently needed. Needless to say that we, at ABN AMRO, also want to help. In cooperation with Giro555, we have launched a fundraising campaign for the people of Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine conflict: impact on financial markets
The Russia-Ukraine conflict leaves its mark on the economy and financial markets. Read market commentaries from ABN AMRO's experts which will help you assess the possible impact.
Your payments and the SWIFT network
On 12 March 2022, the European Union cut off seven Russian banks and their affiliates from the SWIFT banking network. As a consequence, we are unable to engage in payment transactions with the parties listed below.
| BIC | Name | BIC | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| VTBRRUMM | JSC VTB Bank | OBJSRUMM | OTKRITIE BROKER JOINT STOCK COMPANY |
| VTBRRUM2 | JSC VTB Bank | RUDLRUMM | BANK OTKRITIE FINANCIAL CORPORATION (PUBLIC JOINT-STOCK COMPANY) |
| VTCARUMM | JSC VTB CAPITAL | RUIDRUMM | ROSGOSSTRAKH BANK |
| MOSWRUM2 | BM-BANK JOINT-STOCK COMPANY | ROSYRU2P | THE ROSSIYA BANK |
| POSBRUMM | POST BANK JOINT STOCK COMPANY | SOMRRUMM | SOVCOMBANK |
| CNOVRUMM | NOVIKOMBANK JSC | DALVRU8X | ORIENT EXPRESS BANK |
| PRMSRUMM | PROMSVYAZBANK PJSC | BFEARUMM | VEB BANK (VNESHECONOMBANK) |
| JSNMRUMM | BANK OTKRITIE FINANCIAL CORPORATION (PUBLIC JOINT-STOCK COMPANY) | EXIRRUMM | EXIMBANK OF RUSSIA JSC |
On 14 June 2022, the European Union cut off a few more Russian banks and their affiliates from the SWIFT banking network. As a consequence, we are unable to engage in payment transactions with the parties listed below.
| BIC | Name |
|---|---|
| SABRRUMM | SBERBANK |
| MCRBRUMM | CREDIT BANK OF MOSCOW |
| RUAGRUMM | RUSSIAN AGRICULTURAL BANK (JSC ROSSELKHOZBANK) |
On 20 March 2022, the European Union has expelled three Belarusian entities and their subsidiaries from the SWIFT network. As a consequence, we are unable to engage in payment transactions with the parties listed below.
| BIC | Name |
|---|---|
| BAPBBY2X | BYELORUSSIAN JOINT-STOCK COMM. AGROINDUST. BANK (BELAGROPROMBANK) |
| MMBNBY22 | UC FOREIGN BANK 'MOSCOW-MINSK' MINSK |
| BRRBBY2X | JOINT-STOCK COMPANY 'DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS |
On 14 June 2022, the European Union has expelled one more Belarusian entity and the subsidiaries from the SWIFT network. As a consequence, we are unable to engage in payment transactions with this partie.
| BIC | Name |
|---|---|
| BLBBBY2X | BELARUSIAN BANK FOR DEVELOPMENT AND RECONSTRUCTION (aka BELINVESTMENTBANK) |
Stay up to date!
We can imagine that this situation raises questions and uncertainty for you. Check this page from time to time for the latest updates on the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on your banking affairs.