The international banking system seems to grow in complexity with each passing day and Russian banks are playing an integral role in this growth. While there are foreign banks in Russia, the Russian banks still dominate the market. As the Russian banking system ages and becomes a larger player in the international system, the opportunities increase as well. However, to take advantage of this expansion, your company needs to know how to navigate the banking structure efficiently and to establish a working relationship with these entities.

The avenues through which you can attain a banks in Russia education and training range from the banks themselves, to third party training companies, to industry associations. Each of these educational resources provides a different perspective on Russian commercial banks. It's usually best to attain as much training as possible from as many different entities as you can. That way you'll understand banking in Russia from several different perspectives. However, before you begin the process, there are few items to consider:

1. Review the national and international banks in Russia training courses.

2. Utilize online Russian banking educational resources.

3. Contact Russian banking associations for training opportunities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Evaluate the training courses from international and Russian banks

Usually the most in-depth training is available from the businesses that serve a given industry. In the case of Russian banks, you can utilize opportunities from the central banking system to gain a working knowledge of their processes. To obtain training that's specific to this country but are more user-friendly to US students, use international banking in Russia training resources.

I recommend: Speak to representatives at the Bank of Russia about the requirements for their bank training specialist positions. Review the training resources for Russia foreign banks, such as Deutsche Bank.

Enroll in Russian banks training courses from third parties

Using training from outside the Russian banking system can provide you or your company with a better perspective of the overall industry. Often you can understand the workings of banking system more effectively from the outside rather than the inside. This perspective allows you to see the positives and negatives more clearly than you would with traditional banks in Russia training.

I recommend: Examine the Russian bank training products available from EuroMoney Training. The International Banking Institute also offers certification training from the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Education.

Use Russian banking associations and regional resources to attain training

Russian banking associations offer publications that have the latest industry information and educational opportunities within the industry. Regional development banks in Russia can also help you navigate the challenges unique to each sector of the Russian banking system.

I recommend: Review the banking information from the Russian Regional Development Bank. Subscribe to the Russian banking journal at the Association of Russian Banks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you enroll in training for any Russia commercial banks be sure to ask for references and certification from the entity. Ask for reference information from at least three former students prior to enrollment.

When doing business in or with Russia, it is important to have a good knowledge about the system of banking in Russia. Post-Soviet Russia is home to hundreds of different banks — commercial banks, international banks with Russian offices and credit unions, to name a few. These different banks cover a wide range of banking needs, but a detailed knowledge of banks in Russia is necessary to successfully take advantage of the system.

The Russian government keeps very close tabs on foreign investment and foreign banks in Russia. As a result, Russia has allowed only a few international banks to open. However, many Russian commercial banks are strong in international banking and are therefore safe for the investor. You need to research banks very carefully to be certain of their financial stability.

Keep the following in mind when looking for banks in Russia:

1. Focus on banks that will meet your specific needs.

2. Be especially sure you find a bank in Russia that is financially stable.

3. Comparing Russian banks will help you find the right bank out of the many available.

4. Check out the many websites devoted to online Russian banking.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Gather general information about banking in Russia

Information about the banking industry and the general financial state of Russia can be found from the Russian government and from private sources.

I recommend: The Central Bank of the Russian Federation offers information about banking, exchange rates, interest rates and banking information by region.

Get background information on banks in Russia before doing business or making investments

Get background information on banks in Russia before doing business or making investments

I recommend: IC Rating lists Russian banks by reliability, independently of the Central Bank’s system. Way to Russia and KPMG both provide articles specifically dealing with issues for foreigners working with Russian banking.

Research particular banks in order to know which banks will best suit your needs

With hundreds of banks of many different types, it is important to make a knowledgeable choice before banking in Russia.

I recommend: Qualisteam offers a comprehensive list of Russian banks with links to the individual sites. Global Finance has an article about the “best” (most stable) banks in Russia.

Find out about restrictions on banking and foreign banks in Russia

Russia has strict regulations about foreign investment, so it is important to know the rules before starting a business venture.

I recommend: Despite the government’s restrictions on them, there are several international banks in Russia, including Deutsche Bank and Citibank, the first US bank in Russia, having arrived in 1994.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Do your research. Banks in Russia can be complicated and are not always easy for the foreign investor to navigate.

When it comes to learning about Russian banks, there are many outlets that can provide some cursory information and serve as an introduction to the overall sector. These include the central bank, Russian banking association, newspapers, periodicals and more.

Take the time to read up on Russian banks through these avenues so that you may understand the metrics of how the Russian banking industry operates. It will help you determine if your business should invest a portion of its assets in the Russian economy through the Russian banking sector.

1. Locate a list of the banks in Russia and peruse the various bank websites.

2. Read about the Russian Central Bank and other associations that cover banking in Russia.

3. Learn about banks in Russia for beginners by reading newspapers that cover the sector as well as websites of foreign banks in Russia.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a list of banks in Russia so that you may familiarize yourself with their operations

There are many websites dedicated to the banks in Russia. They usually detail Russia commercial banks, as well as the policies and procedures associated with Russian banking. Check out these websites so that you learn a little of the basics associated with banking in Russia.

I recommend: Go to the website for All Banks.org for more information and a list of the main Russian banks. The website for InvestExp, which keeps tabs on Russian monetary policy and banks, details the list of the top Russian banks as well.

Go to the website for the official government bank to learn about banks in Russia

The Central Bank of Russia sets the standards and practices that the rest of banks in Russia must follow. This includes Russia foreign banks, Russian commercial banks and international banks in Russia. Seek out the central bank, along with other banking associations that focus on banks in Russia.

I recommend: Visit the website for the Central Bank of Russia for up to the minute information on the state of the banking industry and the current monetary policies in Russia. The Association of Russian Banks keeps tabs on the current conditions of Russian banking as well.

Get info on Russian banks from online newspapers and from foreign banks located in Russia

When it comes to learning the basics about the Russian banking industry, look for newspapers, periodicals and online publications that cover the industry in depth. Also, many foreign banks in Russia, US banks in Russia and Russian banks publish information on their respective websites that will help introduce you to the Russian banking industry as a whole.

I recommend: Check out the website for Russia Banking News for additional information and a cursory glance at the Russian banking industry on a daily basis. Also Deutsche Bank has a section of their website dedicated to the banks it holds in Russia.