BOV reminds customers its cards will not work in Russia as from Thursday

Bank of Valletta (BOV) has issued a reminder to its customers that they will no longer be able to effect any transaction on their BOV Visa debit or credit cards in Russia from tomorrow, Thursday 10th March.

The suspension of service is due to be effected at 12:01am, Moscow time, which is two hours ahead of local time.

The advice follows a decision by payment giants Visa and Mastercard to follow other multinational companies in their exit from Russia after it invaded neighbouring Ukraine.

BOV, which terminated its relationship with Mastercard in December 2021, said that Visa cards issued in Russia will no longer work outside of Russia, while any Visa card issued by financial institutions outside of Russia will no longer work within Russia.

Therefore, from 10th March, Visa cards that are issued in Russia will not be accepted on BOV Epos Machines, BOV ATMs or at online merchants that are registered with BOV as from the same date.

Further to the announcement of Visa, Bank of Valletta said it would like to advise its customers that they will not be able to effect any transaction on their BOV Visa Debit or Credit card in Russia with effect from the same date.

This is also applicable to online transactions with merchants that are registered in Russia.

At the same time, Visa cards that are issued in Russia will not be accepted on BOV Epos Machines, BOV ATMs or at online merchants that are registered with BOV as from the same date.

BOV urged those with relatives or friends in Russia to advise them that they will be unable to effect payments with any Visa card, whether issued through Bank of Valletta or any other institution, as from tomorrow.