Banks Start Verifying Family Ties in Money Transfers
Russian banks are tightening controls on large transfers through the country’s Fast Payment System (SBP). Starting in 2026, customers sending over 200,000 rubles will face extra checks, including questions about the recipient’s identity and the purpose of the payment.
The new rules come into force on January 1, 2026. Any transfer exceeding 200,000 rubles will trigger additional verification steps. Banks will contact the sender directly to confirm the recipient’s relationship, such as family ties, and may ask about the intended use of the funds.
A transaction could be temporarily blocked while these checks take place. Staff will follow up with a phone call to gather more details before approving the payment. The measures aim to reduce fraud risks within the SBP network. No previous reports confirm that Russian banks have required family history checks for large transfers. This marks a shift in how financial institutions monitor high-value payments through the system.
The stricter checks will apply to all transfers over the 200,000-ruble threshold. Customers should expect delays as banks verify details before processing payments. The changes reflect broader efforts to improve security in Russia’s digital payment networks.
