Ipak Yuli Bank, a major financial institution in Uzbekistan, recently issued broad notices to its Russian clientele requesting the PINFL personal identification number. Without this document, customers face substantial limits on their account and card options. The report was published by RBC.
The bank’s message is clear: We need your PINFL. Without it, banking services cannot be accessed, according to the text of the letter.
A bank support representative noted that the obligation stems from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan’s instruction dated February 8, 2023. The document took effect the day after it was published, establishing new requirements for customer identification.
Under the instruction, deposit accounts for residents and non residents must be opened on a PINFL basis. Customers of Ipak Yuli Bank recall a time when a Russian foreign passport and a local SIM card were sufficient to open an account, and PINFL was not requested.
The bank representative explained that without PINFL, customers will be unable to perform transfers from their accounts, withdraw cash within the bank network, or access other standard services. However, payments for purchases and card to card transfers remain possible.
The bank underscored that account and card transactions will be limited unless PINFL is provided, signaling a tightening of access to banking capabilities for affected customers.
To obtain PINFL, individuals must be temporarily registered in Uzbekistan. The registration window typically spans 2 to 4 business days, after which PINFL access can be activated for banking purposes.
In the Uzbek banking landscape, Ipak Yuli Bank ranks around eleventh in asset size and holds roughly a three percent market share. The country supports a competitive banking sector with about 35 credit institutions operating nationwide, revealing a dynamic environment for financial services and regulatory compliance alike.
There have been prior warnings about new fraud schemes targeting customers through cashback promotions, a reminder that heightened identification and verification protocols are part of ongoing risk management in the sector.
Earlier reports noted that some UAE banks revised their relationships with Russian clients by closing certain accounts, illustrating how geopolitical factors and regulatory adjustments can influence cross border banking arrangements.