Over 200 Russian bank branches will be in operation in Crimea by the end of April, Central Bank Deputy Chairman Mikhail Sukhov said.
“By the end of the month, there will be over 200 locations in the network of Russian bank branches, operating in rubles. We will see how big [the excess is],” Sukhov said at a press conference in Simferopol on Monday.
There are currently 173 Russian bank branches in operation in Crimea, where about 16,000 individuals have already opened accounts, he said.
Retail currency exchange offices will be allowed to operate in Crimea until January 1, 2015, after which they must cease operation, in accordance with Russian law, Sukhov said.
“In Russia, only banks can conduct currency exchange operations,” he said.
