In January, Halyk Bank unexpectedly prohibited cash withdrawals using its UnionPay cards in Russia. Halyk Bank clients in Russia were able to withdraw cash at RSHB and Raiffeisen Bank, but now ATMs at these and other banks are displaying errors.
Many Kazakhstani pensioners living in Russia and receiving their pensions on Halyk Bank accounts relied on cash withdrawals. They are now advised to switch to UnionPay from Altyn Bank, which operates in Russia.
Additionally, Halyk Bank has restricted the acceptance of UnionPay cards from Russian banks in Kazakhstan, both at ATMs and in terminals.