Russian banks have started introducing fees for accepting old-style dollars, which can reach 1-5 thousand rubles per banknote. This decision is due to the increase in operating costs and risks for banks. Clients may also pay for the selection of new, "fresh" banknotes.
"Solid Bank" charges 1 thousand rubles for accepting dollars of the 1996-2006 series and earlier. Bank "Saint Petersburg" will introduce a commission of 10 rubles per dollar for old banknotes from March 1 (except for banknotes with a face value of 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars of certain series). At SDM-Bank, the commission for accepting banknotes from 1995 and earlier has been increased to 5 thousand rubles per 100 dollars. Some banks also offer a service for selecting new dollars for an additional fee: "Energotransbank" charges 2 rubles per unit, and "BBR Bank" - 3% of the amount.
This approach of banks is due to the fact that old banknotes are more difficult to verify due to the increased level of counterfeiting and outdated equipment. Old banknotes are not considered legal tender outside the United States, and banks are not required to accept them. Previously, old dollars were sent abroad, but after the introduction of sanctions, this possibility became limited.
Clients are more willing to purchase new banknotes, despite their increase in price (by 8-10%), but some Russians still choose old dollars due to a more favorable exchange rate. Russian authorities and the Central Bank cannot regulate the decision of banks to accept old dollar banknotes. The head of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, Anatoly Aksakov, noted that all decisions on the acceptance of such currencies belong to the banks themselves, and the owners of old dollars bear the risks. Banks are not obliged to accept old banknotes, as this is related to international currency circulation rules established by the United States as the issuer. Some Russian tourists have already encountered refusals to exchange old dollars.
The media writes that the growing interest in buying валюты against the backdrop of a decrease in its value has led to queues at exchange offices. The real purchase rate may differ significantly from the official one.
Meanwhile, the dollar exchange rate on the over-the-counter market fell below 88 rubles for the first time since September 4, 2024.
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