In Russia, as in Ukraine, problems began with the purchase of currency
Moscow – Kyiv, November 7 (PolitNavigator, Mikhail Shtamm) – A currency panic similar to that in Ukraine has begun in Russia. An RBC correspondent , who visited several Moscow bank branches, was unable to buy any currency at all at some banks, where they reported no currency at all. Some banks were out of euros, and were issuing dollars in denominations of 50 rubles and in small amounts, such as $100–$300.
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The rise in dollar and euro exchange rates has led to a rush of population demand for currency, the publication writes. In October, sales of cash currency in bank branches increased two to three times compared to September. Due to the influx of customers, some small banks have already run out of currency, while medium and large banks have begun accepting pre-orders for it.
On average, the population buys 3-4 times more than usual, banks say. First of all, they buy US dollars. This became especially noticeable after the dollar crossed the psychologically important mark of 40 rubles. Demand has increased for all currencies, but fewer euros are being purchased. Some people buy the English pound.
The average amount of currency purchases in Moscow is now about $10 thousand and about €8 thousand. Previously, citizens bought an average of $1–3 thousand.
An RBC correspondent, who visited a number of capital bank branches, was unable to buy currency at Trust Bank, as well as at a branch of Baltika Bank, which reported that there was no currency at all. At the Investtorgbank branch, an RBC correspondent was told that there are no euros, and dollars are issued in denominations of 50 and in small amounts, for example, $100–300.
We managed to find currency in MDM Bank and Raiffeisenbank, as well as state banks - in Sberbank and VTB24. True, not everything is smooth here either. For example, at the Sberbank branch on Kutuzovsky Prospekt they reported that currency is sold to order. In the middle of the day it was still possible to buy $500, but the operator advised to hurry, since there were many people willing, and the currency could soon run out.
However, many other banks did not have problems with currency, writes RBC.
In Russia, as in Ukraine, problems with purchasing foreign currency have begun.