Banks restrict access to foreign currency deposits

Restrictions on withdrawal of cash from foreign currency deposits have been imposed due to lack of currency.

Every banks has its own rules on withdrawal of currency from accounts. For instance, three of the largest state banks "Belarusbank", "Belagroprombank" and Belinvestbank" dispense cash in case of pre-order 5 business days before. And it doesn't matter what the total amount is. The only thing is that there are no restrictions on the amount of money. However, the ordering procedure differs, "Ezhednevnik" writes.

It is possible to make an order by phone in "Belinvestbank", but in "Belagroprombank" it is recommended to come with passport and write an application on getting foreign currency savings.

Similar restrictions have been introduced in the BelVEB. It is also recommended to make order 5 days before.

Slightly different situation is at commercial banks. For instance, the MTBank stated that they had no restrictions and it was possible to withdraw currency from one's account without restrictions any day. But...if it is available in the particular cash department where you are going to. Therefore, the Bank has proposed to make an order for currency 5 days before.

Completely incomprehensible situation is in VTB Bank (Belarus). As stated by the consultant to withdraw money from your bank account, you must first determine which department you are going to, then call there and clarify whether they have the required amount of currency. If the currency is not available it will not be possible to withdraw money. "As a rule, a cash department as much currency as it has bought", bank's representatives explained. In other words, it may turn out that the cash department may already run out of currency on your arrival. The bank has not introduced any foreign currency pre-order for its customers.

The most positive responses have been received in "Priorbank". A consultant stated that the Bank had the same limits as before. There were no special events introduced in connection with the currency deficit. So it is possible to withdraw currency from your account in every department without any phone calls and reservations.

So far, none of the banks in Belarus has introduced any restrictions on disposal of their non-cash foreign currency funds. The financial institutions explained that the possibility of imposing such restrictions was not even considered.