Kyrgyz banks have temporarily suspended money transfers to Russian Sberbank, MTS Bank and T-Bank via mobile applications in both directions for an indefinite period, the Russian publication Sovershenno Sekretno reports.
The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan explained that commercial banks are currently taking measures to ensure that international sanctions do not harm the country's banking system. They are strengthening control over clients and counterparties, and are also checking to see if clients are on sanctions lists.
Some banks explained the suspension of transfers by technical difficulties. Other banks, such as Demir Bank or Halyk Bank, cited the sanctions imposed on Russian banks. Some banks stopped transfers without explaining the reasons.
However, three local banks transfer funds in both directions without restrictions. These are Aiyl Bank, Kompanion Bank and Eurasian Savings Bank (ESB).
It should be noted that restrictions on settlements between Russian money transfer systems and Kyrgyz banks began in June. In August, the head of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan Melis Turgunbaev and the US Ambassador Leslie Viguerie discussed measures to minimize secondary sanctions. On August 8, the head of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez sent a letter to the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, in which he asked for better compliance with anti-Russian sanctions.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 22, 2024