Job Discussion Forums

kombucha · Joined: 28 Sep 2010 Posts: 3

Hey all. I am soon to be in Samara, Russia and was wondering what the banking situation is. Should I set up a bank account? Will most language schools pay in cash? How should I pay credit card bills back in the U.S. with roubles?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Caroline

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

You should be able to open up a bank account with registration (unregistered visitors cannot open a bank account); you will also likely need your contract with the school. Your school should help you out with that (though it's not a problem, usually).
The best way to be paid is via electronic transfer, as cash transactions generally mean you aren't being paid "officially". Not to mention that carrying home tens of thousands of rubles once each month isn't the brightest idea (I know a couple of bad stories on this front).
Paying bills back home shouldn't be a problem--you should be able to pay them via internet using your bank card or, for a price, by bank transfer.
Good luck!

nemnoga · Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Russia

You may contact me about it if you want, I work at that school Smile

But unless you are planning to stay longer than your contract (i.e., for a few years) then it isn't worth it. You won't be able to do online banking, per se, and transaction rates are fairly high. But the school will help you do it, if you really think you need it.

kombucha · Joined: 28 Sep 2010 Posts: 3

okay thanks guys.

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

nemnoga,

Are you paid cash, then?

Zajko · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 3:51 am Post subject:

I found Raifeissenbank Russia to be pretty good, both in Moscow and in various provincial Siberian cities. Easy to open an account with your registration, English speaking staff even at smaller branches, international visa cards, access to your account abroad and internet banking also if you want it. Good customer service too, which I was pleasantly surprised by.

kombucha · Joined: 28 Sep 2010 Posts: 3

i don't know if i'm paid in cash yet, as i have not arrived. will keep you informed. thanks for the Raifeissenbank Russia bank advice though. i'll look into it!

VladJR87 · Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 87 Location: Moscow RU

Over at the Expat RU forums it seems that Raiffeisen is definitely the way to go.

da teacha · Joined: 15 Oct 2010 Posts: 12

edited out

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

What is that supposed to mean?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:24 am Post subject:

I think it means 'I'm a newbie teacha who speaks like a pig."

Just guessing though. Could be wrong.

Dyadya Misha · Joined: 28 Jun 2010 Posts: 17

In my experience most are paid in cash. So when you get paid, get home/to the bank sharpish so that a police officer (OINK OINK?!) doesn't take his cut.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:29 am Post subject:

Oh come on, now. When was the last time any of us was stopped by a pig and had our wages messed with?

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

While I don't know if the police are a threat anymore, I know one teacher here who was jumped on pay-day (some think it was an inside job, and someone else tipped them off that they'd be paid) and had her entire salary taken.
Cash is a terrible way to be paid for a number of reasons. Who wants to walk around with 50,000 rubles in their pocket at the end of the day?
It's not hard to open a bank account and be paid that way. Unless, that is, one is being paid illegally.

travelNick · Joined: 22 Feb 2009 Posts: 56 Location: Bogota, Colombia

Agree with Jeff, I can't understand why anyone would want to be paid in cash rubles. Raffeisen is certainly pretty good with its services, online and branches. Any school that can't provide electronic payment, even for a short term contract, isn't very well organised in my humble opinion.