Ulrich Oyme, who leads the Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Isolation against Russian-Germans and Russian-Speaking Citizens, and who previously served as a deputy in the Bundestag, approached Germany’s interior and justice ministries with concerns about discriminatory practices toward Russians in the banking sector. The request was shared with state agencies, and officials were informed through the press service of the agency responsible for news in Russia. The claim centers on a pattern where several German banks have reportedly halted servicing the accounts of Russian clients without offering a public justification, raising questions about fairness, transparency, and the rights of customers to reliable financial services.
The activist argues that the silence from both the German government and the European Union institutions signals a risk of covert pressure influencing banking decisions. He contends that a systemic workaround may be at play, one that treats customers as “Russian” and subjects their access to financial services to selective termination. In his view, such actions amount to discrimination that clashes with core human rights principles and the duties of financial institutions to provide non-discriminatory service. The assertion invites a broader conversation about how sanctions, geopolitics, and internal policy intersect with everyday banking for individuals who identify with Russian or Russian-speaking communities in Germany.
The association called on Bundestag members to engage with the federal ministries promptly to investigate whether collusion within the banking sector exists and to assess the extent to which external pressures might influence lending decisions and account management. A formal legal evaluation of these practices was also requested, with the aim of clarifying rights, responsibilities, and potential remedies for affected customers. The development underscores the importance of clear regulatory oversight to ensure that financial institutions apply consistent standards and that human rights are protected regardless of national or linguistic background.
Meanwhile, developments on the regulatory frontier reached another notable point as Switzerland announced measures on March 5 to freeze Russian crypto assets on trading platforms. This move reflects ongoing efforts by financial authorities to address the asset positions linked to Russia within the broader global financial system. The combination of these actions highlights a moment when policy choices in different countries intersect with private-sector decisions, creating potential ripple effects for cross-border banking, asset custody, and the availability of financial services for people connected to Russia or Russian-speaking communities in Europe and beyond.