In Russia, the difference between the exchange rates for buying and selling dollars has sharply increased

The average spread of prices for buying and selling the dollar in the ten largest banks has reached Br6.5, as "Izvestia" found out on February 13. The difference between them reaches 7% on average, which is almost twice as much as the normal level of 3-4%, explained economist Andrei Barkhota.

This bid-ask spread occurred after Russian President Vladimir Putin and American leader Donald Trump had a phone conversation.

"The exchange rate is the most volatile parameter of the Russian financial market. Moreover, the ruble has entered the top of the most unstable currencies by the end of 2024. In this regard, the local strengthening of the national currency should be considered mainly in the perspective of a good time to buy currency instruments for investment purposes," the economist said.

According to him, the maximum spread in an unstable currency market may amount to Br10 or 10-13%. In a stationary market situation - no more than 3-4%.

Now banks from the top 10 buy the dollar at an average of about Br90.7, while they are ready to sell it only for Br97. Some players have a difference in buying and selling prices of more than 10% - we are talking about Gazprombank, Rosselkhozbank and Alfa Bank (where the dollar is sold for Br103).

With the new ruble: what awaits the Russian currency in the first quarter of 2025

If nothing extraordinary happens, the ruble will remain at the current levels in January - March

February 12, financial analyst of BitRiver Vladislav Antonov told "Izvestia" the reasons for the sharp decline in the dollar on the Forex market. He noted that among the key factors, due to which the ruble is strengthening, is the improvement of the mechanisms of export companies' work, as foreign currency earnings are converted more efficiently.