Alfa-Bank has announced a change that could reshape how new business accounts handle payments. For startups and growing companies, the traditional cost of accepting payments, renting equipment, linking up to a terminal or smartphone, and maintaining turnover can add up quickly. The bank now offers a commission-free path for those opening a business account, making it easier for new clients to move money where it needs to go without extra fees. The result is a simpler, more predictable payment experience that helps businesses reinvest in growth instead of paying to process every sale.
To take advantage of this, a business simply needs to set up a free business account. The zero-fee benefit applies to merchant and online purchases when a company’s monthly turnover stays within a defined limit for an initial period. Specifically, during the first three months from the date of connection, monthly turnover up to a certain threshold is eligible for the no-commission arrangement. This creates a clear, upfront framework that lets businesses forecast costs more accurately during early growth stages.
Speaking about the change, a senior executive emphasized the practical impact for customers. The credit and payments landscape for small and micro enterprises often involves a predictable percentage-based fee, but this adjustment helps many businesses retain more of what they earn. Beyond just immediate savings on banking services, the policy may influence ongoing banking partnerships, as companies reassess which financial services provider aligns best with their growth plans and payment needs.
For new customers, the no-commission tariff can be activated within a window of time after opening a business account. The setup period provides a straightforward path to begin processing payments without the usual commissions, aligning with how startups plan their early-stage budgets and milestones. This initiative reflects a broader trend in the financial sector toward removing transactional barriers for small businesses and supporting entrepreneurship.
Overall, the move aims to support business development by reducing one of the recurring operating costs. By eliminating commissions on purchases, Alfa-Bank seeks to empower companies to allocate more resources to product development, marketing, and hiring. For many merchants, this could mean a faster path to profitability and a more competitive position in the market, especially when competing against larger, more established players that still incur payment-related fees. The policy also clarifies the bank’s commitment to helping small businesses scale, innovate, and sustain momentum during the critical early months after a company launches or expands its payment channels.