International Banking

[mrsushi66 0]

My fiancee and I are working on all of our paperwork and such to bring her over to the USA. I want her to have access to funds if she needs it and was wondering if anyone was familar with international banking and could suggest a bank that is easily accessed from both the US and Russia.

My goal is to find a bank that will issue us both ATM cards so I can deposit monies here and she can withdrawl them their.

Please don't lecture me on scammers and such we are way beyond that, if you are going to post any messages about being careful and such please dont bother.

thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

Paul

[Satellite 1]

Based on my observations I saw citibank in both countries. I have no idea how well the ATM / Checking accounts are recognized between the two branches. I also want to know the answer because it would be amazing to deposit say $100,000 on one side and withdraw on the other.

http://www.citibank.com/us/d.htm

http://www.citibank.ru/russia/main/rus/home.htm

Good luck.

[dmhweb 0]

My fiancee and I are working on all of our paperwork and such to bring her over to the USA. I want her to have access to funds if she needs it and was wondering if anyone was familar with international banking and could suggest a bank that is easily accessed from both the US and Russia.

My goal is to find a bank that will issue us both ATM cards so I can deposit monies here and she can withdrawl them their.

Please don't lecture me on scammers and such we are way beyond that, if you are going to post any messages about being careful and such please dont bother.

thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

Paul

I've done this for some time... Best way to send money...

Doesn't even need to be a branch over there... ATM now works almost everywhere...

Just get 2 ATM (Bankomat) cards... send her one, then give her the pin over the phone. Simple... maybe costs $1.50 for her to withdrawl any amount from any ATM. Beats the hell out of WU!

Then leave the card with Mom so she can get cash after you two are together and she wants to send money home.

Cheers

Edited June 6, 2006 by dmhweb

[obender 0]

One can use practically ANY US bank to withdraw money from ATM in Russia. If it's debit VISA it is definetely a garantee. CIRRUS, PLUS, NYCE (all standard for most US ATM cards) are very good bet too. Even obscure little Credit Unions did the job for me. It's often free but the fee of 2-3% is possible depending on the local bank.

Of cause when you make a ATM card you'll have to make it to your own name...

by the way, don't be too apprehensive here in advance. this is not your average american public.

obender

[Vagina Journey 0]

Can deposits be made using a Visa/Debit/ATM? International?

Just wondering if my card (USA) would work in the UK to make a deposit?

[Chuckles 0]

I have never tried deposits, but I do not see why it would not work. Try it with a lower sum of money just for kicks.

Also, the debit card is what I use to send funds to my fiancee as well. I use US Bank, but as stated, I think any bank will work.

[centurion 0]

I found that my ATM card worked just fine in any bankomat (ATM ) machines. The one downfall is that

some banks charge a fee for international Visa transactions in addition to the normal fees. Also most of the machines have a maximum amount you can take out. Still often the fees for a large amount $ 200

would be less than WU.

[slim 1,530]

I never even thought of using the ATM cards. That's an excellent idea. I just Western Unioned the money to Elena for her interview and spending cash, etc., and it cost me $43 to send it. I would gladly pay the $2.00 fee for her to withdraw money.

Good for next time I guess. Hopefully there won't be next time though!

[Satellite 1]

Everyone here is talking about withdrawing. The ATM trick is old news for substituting Western Union. However, I believe the original poster, like myself are more concerned with making a checking account deposit in a bank that has a branch in both Russia and the US. Because as far as I am aware, there is no way I can make a deposit into a Russian bank / ATM machine and expect it to appear on my checking account in the US without doing the full blown money wire, which is expensive on both sides.

Edited June 7, 2006 by Satellite

[edsperfect 25]

Based on my observations I saw citibank in both countries. I have no idea how well the ATM / Checking accounts are recognized between the two branches. I also want to know the answer because it would be amazing to deposit say $100,000 on one side and withdraw on the other.

http://www.citibank.com/us/d.htm

http://www.citibank.ru/russia/main/rus/home.htm

Good luck.

The problerm with moswt ATM cards is you can only draw out 250 or 300 dollars a day

[Satellite 1]

The problerm with moswt ATM cards is you can only draw out 250 or 300 dollars a day

Am I the only one that sees a difference between an ATM withdrawal which is limited versus an in person withdrawal from a bank which has no such limits? Assuming of course as originally stated that the bank in question has a branch in both countries. Edited June 7, 2006 by Satellite

[Chuckles 0]

Yes I see that satellite, and I think trying to use Citibank in order to do both deposits and withdraws, without the limitations of an ATM, is a great idea, as you responded originally.

Edited June 7, 2006 by Chuckles

[obender 0]

there is russian law that prevents any foreign bank activity on russian soil. it's as simple as that. Citibank and citibank branch in russia have almost no relation to each other (except the name i guess).

ask any bank here if it's accessible from russia... it's not.

so to transfer money (excluding ATMs and WU) people set up special companies (you have to know those people), as i heard transfer fee is order of several percent.

obender

[mrsushi66 0]

Thanks for all the great repsonses. I have done this and will be sending her the other ATM card. My bank actually suggested we set up a separate account (with no cost to us) and this way if the card gets lost or stolen our exposure is limited to what is in the account at the time.

Again thanks for the help you have helped us greatly.

Paul/Anna

[Satellite 1]

there is russian law that prevents any foreign bank activity on russian soil. it's as simple as that. Citibank and citibank branch in russia have almost no relation to each other (except the name i guess).

Thanks, that's what I thought too.