MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Russian subsidiary of Italian bank UniCredit has stopped taking on new corporate clients and is raising service fees across its business, according to new tariff plans posted on the bank’s website.
UniCredit is continuing its attempts to leave Russia, under pressure from the European Central Bank, which has demanded the group accelerate the winding down of its business in the country including limiting deposits and transactions.
The Italian lender said on Wednesday that from October 1, the monthly fee for service packages will increase to 15,000-20,000 roubles ($182-$243) per month from 4,900-6,900 roubles per month.
From December 1, tariffs will rise still further, to 30,000-40,000 roubles per month.
“The bank is establishing a gradual change in the monthly fee for tariff plans… with a phased approach to the implementation of these changes in order to give clients time to make operational decisions,” the lender said.
UniCredit’s press service did not provide further clarification.
For individuals, UniCredit had previously suspended credit card reissues and outgoing transfers in U.S. dollars.
In the spring, companies from the United Arab Emirates approached the Italian Finance Ministry with an offer to buy UniCredit’s Russian assets at a deep discount, according to a document seen by Reuters.
($1 = 82.4000 roubles)
(Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya; Editing by Jan Harvey)
