A Guide to Card Specs, Financial Dimensions & Application Requirements

American Express (AMEX) is globally recognized for premium financial services, exclusive benefits, and elite lifestyle perks. In Moscow, however, access to AMEX cards is highly limited due to changes in international banking dynamics.

Let’s explore 10 banks and institutions—past and present—where you could purchase or access AMEX cards in Moscow, their card dimensions, financial requirements, and material benefits.

🔝 1. Russian Standard Bank (RSB)

💼 Status: Only active issuer of AMEX in Russia

💳 Card Types:

• AMEX Green – Entry-level classic
• AMEX Gold – Mid-tier with travel benefits
• AMEX Platinum – Premium lifestyle card
• AMEX Centurion (by invitation only) – Ultra-exclusive, made of titanium
  🧾 EMI & Finance:
• Interest-free grace period up to 55 days
• EMI (Equated Monthly Installments) options available for large purchases
  📐 Dimensions: Standard credit card size – 85.6 mm × 53.98 mm
  📋 Requirements: Passport, proof of income, Moscow residency
  🧱 Material: Plastic (Green, Gold); Metal/Titanium (Platinum, Centurion)
  💡 Assestion: RSB is the only bank in Moscow still offering retail AMEX cards

🏢 2. American Express Bank (Russia subsidiary)

📉 Status: Closed as of 2024 (formerly handled B2B services)

Role: Managed AMEX merchant network and finance settlements

⚠️ No consumer cards issued

🟢 3. Sberbank

📊 Banking Role: Former merchant acquirer for AMEX

📉 Status: AMEX acceptance ended in 2015

💼 Assestion: No AMEX card issuance, but once processed AMEX EMI payments

🏛 4. Uralsib Bank

🔄 Dimensions: Recognized as a payment system partner

🧾 EMI Services: Available on local cards; no AMEX product currently issued

🧱 Material: Standard plastic and contactless chips only

🌐 5. Gazprombank

💼 Usage: Corporate finance only – issued AMEX for international business clients

📋 Requirements: Only available to partnered enterprises

📉 No personal issuance

🏦 6. Alfa-Bank

🏙 Function: Handled corporate AMEX cards for premium clients

💳 EMI/Assestion: Business use only

🧱 Material: High-grade composite plastic

🟨 7. Raiffeisenbank

🌍 Dimensions: Partnered via AMEX global network

💳 Card Status: No direct issuance; used to service AMEX transactions

⚠️ Consumer issuance suspended

🧾 8. HSBC Moscow (closed)

🪙 Finance: Former high-net-worth AMEX service partner

📉 Status: Shut down retail operations in Russia

🧱 Material: Metal cards for premium clients abroad

🧮 9. Citibank Russia (now part of Uralsib)

📊 Banking Footprint: Focused on Visa/Mastercard

📋 Requirements: No AMEX offered even during peak operations

📉 Withdrawn from Russia in 2023

📦 10. Boutique Private Financial Firms

🏙 Example: Investment advisory groups and concierge services

📋 Requirements: High asset threshold; global income sources

💳 Cards: Centurion & Platinum via global AMEX partnerships

🧱 Material: Black anodized titanium (Centurion)

⚠️ Often issued abroad, not legally “purchased” in Moscow

📊 Comparison Table

Bank / Entity	AMEX Issuance	Card Types	EMI Support	Material	Status
Russian Standard Bank	✅ Yes	Green, Gold, Plat, Cent.	✅ Yes	Plastic/Metal	Active
AMEX Bank (Russia)	❌ No	None	❌ No	N/A	Closed 2024
Sberbank	❌ No	None	❌ No	N/A	Ended 2015
Uralsib	❌ No	None	❌ No	Plastic	Limited
Gazprombank	❌ No	Corporate only	❌ No	Plastic	Active
Alfa-Bank	❌ No	Corporate only	❌ No	Composite	Active
Raiffeisenbank	❌ No	None	❌ No	N/A	Suspended
HSBC	❌ No	None (retail)	❌ No	Metal	Closed
Citibank	❌ No	None	❌ No	N/A	Withdrawn
Private Firms	⚠️ Yes*	Platinum, Centurion	⚠️ Custom	Titanium	Selective

📌 Final Thoughts

✅ If you’re in Moscow and want a real AMEX card, Russian Standard Bank is your only retail option.

Other banks are either inactive, serve corporate clients, or operate through international branches.

🧭 Use this guide to understand:

• The finance and EMI dimensions of AMEX cards
• Which material types correspond to prestige (e.g. titanium vs. plastic)
• What the requirements are to apply
• And how assestion (your personal financial position) impacts approval