Swiss banks have tightened their grip on Russian client

The banks in question are UBS and Credit Suisse.

“Our law firm has been contacted by about ten people who have so far received unofficial phone calls from bank employees warning them that if they do not stop owning companies and paying taxes in Russia, the bank will have to close their accounts,” Roman Kudinov, managing partner of the Swiss-based law firm LEOLEX.

Kudinov says the move is selective rather than en masse and has so far been unofficial. 

Another lawyer from Switzerland told that banks have already started blocking the accounts of Russians who pay taxes to the Russian budget.

Kudinov believes the banks are forced to take such steps because of pressure from Swiss authorities, parliamentary parties, and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Sourse: Novaya Gazeta Europe