Reports from TASS indicate several German banks have halted servicing UnionPay cards issued by Gazprombank. The move reflects how sanctions targeting Gazprombank are reshaping everyday financial services in Europe. Customers who relied on Gazprombank issued UnionPay cards for routine purchases, cash withdrawals, or online payments may now encounter disrupted channels or restricted access. Bank spokespeople emphasize compliance with regulatory directions and note that card networks operating in Germany must align with the evolving sanctions landscape. This development fits a growing pattern where lenders and card networks curtail or terminate services tied to Gazprombank, affecting payment flows, cash access, and everyday transactions for German customers. Observers point to the broader trend of financial tightening aimed at sanctioned entities and the need for users to explore alternative payment routes or networks as advised by their banks.
When attempting to withdraw cash from Sparkasse ATMs, the screen often displays a message stating that the function is currently unavailable. Such interruptions imply Gazprombank UnionPay withdrawals are no longer being processed through these terminals, at least for the time being. Deutsche Bank has also ceased related services, leaving customers with fewer options for accessing funds or completing cross-border transactions using these cards. The immediate impact is a reduced ability to obtain cash and complete purchases in markets that rely on UnionPay-issued Gazprombank cards. Banks advise customers to monitor account alerts and contact their issuing institutions for guidance on possible alternatives or arrangements that may be offered during the transition, as institutions seek to limit exposure to sanctioned networks.
On November 23, OTP Bank in Hungary joined the pattern by stopping service for Gazprombank UnionPay cards, illustrating how sanctions are rippling across regional markets. The halt follows other regional moves that restrict Gazprombank card usage and underscores a broader shift as banks reassess risk and regulatory exposure. For Hungarian customers, the change means reconsidering how they pay online, in shops, or while traveling, and it invites reliance on other card schemes or payment methods that remain active within the bank’s policy framework. Market observers interpret these steps as part of a coordinated response among lenders to the sanctions environment and emphasize the importance of staying informed through official bank notices.
In parallel, banks in Asia and the Middle East have adopted similar measures. Thailand, joining efforts with Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, stopped service for Gazprombank-issued UnionPay debit cards. This move signals a global tightening around Gazprombank’s card networks and reflects the risk management approaches of financial institutions in diverse regulatory contexts. For customers, this means rethinking payment options while abroad and preparing for reduced access to certain payment rails that previously bridged cross-border transactions with Gazprombank.
On November 21, the United States broadened sanctions to Gazprombank and its affiliates, a shift that expands the set of entities subject to restrictions and affects how financial flows can move through sanctioned channels. At the same time, U.S. authorities allowed citizens to conduct certain financial activities related to the official operations of Russian diplomatic and consular missions abroad if those transactions involve Gazprombank or entities with more than half ownership. The policy underscores how geopolitics intersects with everyday finance and can alter the calculus for international business and travel involving Gazprombank-linked accounts.
Earlier statements from the Kremlin signaled countermeasures in response to the U.S. sanctions on Gazprombank, suggesting that Moscow may pursue reciprocal steps to shield its financial interests. The announced posture indicates a diplomatic and regulatory chess game, where sanctions and countermeasures influence how foreign banks assess exposure to Gazprombank and how customers access payment services tied to Gazprombank in various markets.