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30% currency purchase commission does not apply to closing margin positions, says Central Bank

03.03.2022 18:11 / TASS

The introduction of a 30% commission for the purchase of foreign currency on the stock exchange does not apply to transactions for closing leverage (margin positions) in foreign currency, says the Central Bank of Russia.

Earlier, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation introduced a commission of 30% for individuals when buying a dollar, euro or British pound on the stock exchange. According to the regulator, the commission charged by brokers from individuals when buying currency on the stock exchange levels the competition between banks and brokers, the press service of the Bank of Russia said in response to a request from TASS.

If customers close a short (short position) in these currencies on their account, the 30% commission for the purchase will not be debited.

At the same time, the volume of instructions, which are not subject to the requirement of the Central Bank's order, cannot exceed the absolute value of the negative planned position for the corresponding foreign currency by an amount greater than necessary to close the specified position, taking into account the value of the minimum lot for transactions with the specified currency, follows from instructions of the Central Bank, which TASS got acquainted with. Commission requirements do not apply to operations for the forced closing of uncovered positions of individual clients.

As a source in the financial market told the agency, with the introduction of this commission some brokers may limit buying three currencies in their applications. At the same time, if this function is not available in the application, it remains possible to buy currency through a trader by phone, the broker’s processing officer will also inform about the commission, so that the client may clearly understand the terms of the transaction.

VTB My Investments also reminded that in connection with the announced US sanctions against VTB Bank, customers need to independently close long margin positions in foreign securities, as well as in foreign currency. "From February 25, 2022, the bank excluded foreign securities from the list of margin securities - this could lead to the forced closing of long margin positions. Short margin positions will also be forcibly closed by the bank," they added, noting that commissions for closing positions in foreign currency will not be charged in this case.

Financial markets megaregulator