Beginning March 31, Sberbank announced the elimination of transfer fees for a specific group of customers: those who were called to active duty or participated in the Russian special operation in Ukraine. The decision was communicated directly by the credit institution through an official message to its clients. In practical terms, this means that for those who took out a loan using a Sber card during their period of service, every form of ruble transfer commission—whether it involves transfers by phone, card, or through their account—has been canceled. This new policy is already fully implemented across all remote channels, ensuring that individuals affected by the military service can move funds without incurring charges. Moreover, the bank clarified that the commission-free transfers extend beyond Sber’s customers: individuals holding accounts at other banks within the Russian Federation can also benefit, and transfers conducted through the System for Fast Payments (SBP) are included in this arrangement. The intent behind this measure appears to be providing financial relief to service members and their families by removing a recurring cost associated with transferring funds, thereby facilitating smoother financial operations during a period of heightened personal and professional demands. The bank emphasized that the feature has been activated automatically, and users will see the option labeled as “Commission-free transfers” within the mobile application under the profile section described as “You’re Connected.” This designation appears after the user receives the corresponding notification, signaling readiness to perform fee-free transfers. The move aligns with broader efforts by financial institutions to introduce flexible and supportive services during times of service and national mobilization, reflecting a trend toward user-centric banking policies that reduce barriers to essential financial activity for eligible customers. The cadence of this update suggests a structured rollout, ensuring that eligible clients can rely on consistent, no-cost transfer options across the institution’s digital platforms, independent of the recipient’s bank, provided the transfer remains within the ruble-based system. This development builds on earlier communications dated February 22, when Sberbank indicated ongoing work to expand fee waivers, including those applicable to CBO participants, with the potential for operational deployment in the first quarter of 2023, underscoring the bank’s ongoing commitment to adapting its service offerings in response to customer circumstances. In summary, the policy change signifies a meaningful enhancement in the accessibility and affordability of everyday financial transactions for service members and related clients, reinforcing the bank’s role in supporting additional financial autonomy during periods of deployment and public service. The change is conveyed with clear instructions for customers to verify the availability of the feature within the mobile app and to rely on the automatic activation that accompanies the update, thereby reducing friction and encouraging continued use of digital channels for responsible money management.
For customers who obtained a loan using a Sber card while actively serving, the bank has implemented a comprehensive suspension of transfer commissions, applicable across all types of transfers in rubles. This policy extends to transfers initiated via phone, through card-based operations, and via account-based transactions, ensuring fee-free movements of funds for the duration of the service period. The option is described as already being fully operational across all remote channels, enabling beneficiaries to send money without cost to recipients inside the Russian Federation, regardless of whether the recipient banks are within Sber’s own network or external counterparts, and even when transfers are executed through the SBP. The bank’s public statement confirms that the feature has been automatically activated, and customers can locate the “Commission-free transfers” setting within the mobile app’s profile area titled “You’re Connected,” following the arrival of the related notification. This streamlined approach reduces financial overhead during service-related absences and supports ongoing financial duties, such as remittances to family members or payments to creditors, without the burden of additional charges. This initiative complements ongoing efforts by the bank to extend fee waivers to a broader audience during periods of mobilization and public service, reflecting a proactive stance toward customer-centric financial management. The policy’s practical impact is a more straightforward, cost-free experience for eligible account holders when moving funds between rubles, with no need to navigate complex fee schedules or multiple transfer modes. Since the plan was first disclosed, the bank has indicated it would pursue further waivers, including transfers for CBO participants, with potential implementation in early 2023, signaling a year of continued adaptation to the needs of customers in organized service contexts. Taken together, these updates illustrate a commitment to facilitating smoother, more economical digital banking for service members and their families, reinforcing trust and reliability in Sberbank’s capacity to respond with timely policy adjustments that ease everyday financial operations during challenging periods.
Initial notices, issued on February 22, indicated that Sberbank was exploring additional fee waivers that would extend to transfers for CBO participants, and these measures were anticipated to become operational in the first quarter of 2023. The evolution of these steps demonstrates the bank’s willingness to adjust its pricing and service framework in response to developments on the ground and the evolving needs of customers serving in official capacities. By implementing automatic activation and ensuring broad compatibility across remote channels and the SBP network, Sberbank aimed to minimize administrative friction while maximizing the reach of its fee-free transfer policy. In practice, this meant that eligible users could plan and execute transfers with confidence, knowing that standard transfer charges would not apply for permitted activities during the service period, thereby supporting both personal financial management and institutional commitments. The long-term effect of these decisions is a stronger perception of the bank as a partner in public service, one that prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and ease of use for individuals who shoulder the responsibilities of national service and related assignments. The stated intention was to simplify financial routines and contribute to stability during periods of mobilization, grounding the policy in clear, user-facing terms within the mobile application and the broader digital banking experience. In explaining the rationale behind the move, authorities highlighted a balance between customer convenience and operational efficiency, ensuring that the transition to fee-free transfers would remain seamless and predictable for those who qualify under the program. This, in turn, supports a broader narrative of responsible banking practice that acknowledges the unique circumstances faced by soldiers, their families, and other participants in government-led operations, while maintaining compliance with the financial system’s governance and security standards.