A ranking of Israeli banks for new immigrants, relocants, tourists and business owners: Russian language, international centers, cards and the limits that apply to Russians, as of October 2026.
Israel's banking system is highly concentrated. By assets at 30 June 2026 the leaders are Leumi (NIS 947 billion), Hapoalim (NIS 809 billion), Mizrahi-Tefahot (NIS 581 billion), Discount (NIS 483 billion) and FIBI (NIS 294 billion). The rest are a group of brands inside these banks, small commercial banks and digital banks. The card market is served by three payment companies: Isracard, Cal and Max.
For Russians and Russian speakers the situation has been special since 2022. Israeli banks practically do not work with Russian banks because of sanctions, so Mir cards and SBP (the Russian Faster Payments System) are not available in the country, and direct transfers from Russia are severely restricted. An account is opened with legal status, such as a teudat oleh, a visa or a residence permit, and as a rule in person. In early 2026 four large banks asked immigrants from Russia to confirm tax residency. These restrictions matter more than the difference in fees between banks.
We ordered the banks by what newcomers actually need: whether there is a separate unit for olim and foreign residents, a Russian-language website and support, and how transparent the terms are. Bank size by assets was used as an additional criterion. Large banks do not publish terms for non-residents in full, so where there is no verified data we say so directly and give no figures. Check each bank's official website for current terms before you visit a branch.
Israel's largest bank by assets at 30 June 2026, with a Russian-language website and a mini-site for new immigrants. Accounts are opened in person; non-residents are served by Private Banking.
A large Israeli bank with a Russian-language website and a separate unit for foreign residents and new immigrants. Assets: NIS 483.5 billion at 30 June 2026.
Israel's third-largest bank by assets, with international centers for foreign residents and new immigrants in four cities and a Russian-language website. Assets: NIS 581 billion at 30 June 2026.
Israel's second-largest bank by assets, with the bit app and a website without Russian. Assets: NIS 809.5 billion at 30 June 2026; terms for non-residents are not described publicly.
Israel's fifth-largest bank by assets (NIS 293.955 billion at 30 June 2026) and the group behind Massad, Otsar HaHayal, Pagi and U-Bank. Terms for non-residents are not described publicly.
Mercantile Discount is a bank wholly owned by Discount. Since 13 July 2026 a merger into the parent bank, keeping the brand, has been under review.
A small Israeli bank with mortgages and private banking, seventh by size: assets of NIS 23.1 billion at end-2025. The website is in Hebrew and English, with no Russian.
Doar Finance is the former Postal Bank, part of the state company Israel Postal Company: basic payments without loans. Russian pensions do not arrive through it.
The Leumi group's digital bank without branches: an account from a phone, cards and a foreign-currency account. Designed for Israeli residents; not suitable for non-residents.
A small bank created for government employees that now serves all retail clients; Mizrahi-Tefahot owns 50%. The website is in Hebrew, and the bank is closed on 27 October 2026.
A digital bank licensed by the Bank of Israel, with no branches. The first-half 2026 loss was NIS 84 million; terms for non-residents are not published.
By assets at 30 June 2026 it is Leumi (NIS 947 billion). Next come Hapoalim (NIS 809 billion), Mizrahi-Tefahot (NIS 581 billion), Discount (NIS 483 billion) and FIBI (NIS 294 billion).
For a regular account, a full opening as a rule requires presence in person and an Israeli ID. Non-residents can approach private banking units, for example at Discount, Mizrahi-Tefahot or Leumi.
A status document (teudat oleh or a visa), an Israeli ID if available, and proof of address; a temporary address such as an ulpan is acceptable. Sometimes the bank asks for an employment certificate.
No. Israeli banks have practically not worked with Russian banks since 2022, and the banks' official websites show no SBP connection or Mir cards. Plan on Visa and Mastercard cards.
Direct transfers are severely restricted by sanctions. The Bank of Israel has said it will not help circumvent sanctions, and banks check the source of funds.
In early 2026 Leumi, Hapoalim, Mizrahi-Tefahot and Discount asked immigrants, mostly those who arrived after 2022, to prove that their center of life is in Israel. A rental contract, utility bills and tax statements help.
Leumi and Discount have a Russian version of their website, and Mizrahi-Tefahot's menu offers Russian and Ukrainian. Hapoalim's menu has no Russian.
No: it is election day, branches are closed and foreign-currency transactions are not carried out. Make urgent payments in advance.
