Banking in Russia

I've never had a bank account in Russia (was paid cash and left to trust that it was all above board on the employer's part - Russia... what could possibly go wrong?!). I did have dealings with banks though for money transfers, currency exchanges and buying travellers cheques. If you only know British banks, those friendly places with smiling staff and complimentary tea or coffee, you're in for a shock...

Russian banks are about as cheery as funeral parlours and as welcoming as a field of nettles for nudists in search of a picnic spot. If that's not enough, it is an environment perfect for the 'excessive bureaucracy at every opportunity' attitude that pervades Eastern Europe... so expect conflicting information, return visits and being sent from cashier to cashier. Also, remember all those services that come for free at British banks (debit cards, withdrawing money from a different bank's cash machine), leave all those expectations behind...

Want a debit or credit card? 750+ Roubles annual service charge (though with the rate the Rouble's falling, that's becoming better value every day)
Use your card abroad? 400 Roubles (and a shit exchange range to screw you twice)
Need a paper bank statement? 30 Roubles at the bank
Online banking? 60 Roubles a month [current prices at Sberbank, the most widespread one in Russia]

What the economy doesn't take, the banks will.

You'll need to know what kind of account you want: current or savings; Rouble, Dollar or Euro. What you'll need to open an account over there will vary from bank to bank but expect at least: passport, visa, registration and migration card (your half of the form you fill in at the airport). And possibly: a document from your workplace confirming your employment and/ or salary and a notarised translation of any documents.

The final thing you need... shitloads of patience. Good luck!

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Elsewhere on this blog: Tales of Russian Banks #1
A Russian language take on Sberbank