Pepper: the Leumi group's digital bank for residents of Israel

## About the bank

Pepper is the digital bank of the Leumi group. It has no branches: the account is opened and managed through a mobile app. The owner is the largest bank in Israel by assets.

## Account for non-residents and Russians

Opening through the app is designed for residents of Israel. The website has no separate terms for non-residents and for Russians without Israeli documents, and the site itself works in Hebrew. The logic is therefore as follows: first you obtain status and an Israeli ID, and only then open a digital account.

For new immigrants Pepper can become a second account alongside the main one, but the first step remains a visit to an ordinary bank. If you are a tourist or non-resident, look at private banking units such as Leumi's.

## Cards and payments

According to the bank's website, the following are available:

• credit and debit Pepper cards, with a card fee exemption;
• a card for the foreign-currency account, for online purchases and abroad without conversion.

Payment networks and exact fees are not disclosed on public pages. A chat is available for support, 24/6. Mir and SBP are unavailable: Israeli banks do not work with Russian banks because of sanctions.

## Fees and limits

Fees are published on the bank's website. The Bank of Israel fee reform, which begins in October 2026, also applies to digital banks.

The main limits are that it is available only to residents, and that Hebrew is the main language of the website.

## Pepper and Leumi: how to choose

| Parameter | Pepper | Leumi |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Digital bank without branches | Universal bank with branches |
| Account opening | From a phone, for residents | In person, as a rule at a branch |
| Website language | Hebrew | A Russian version is available |
| For non-residents | No separate terms | Leumi Private Banking |
| Support | 24/6 chat | Olim mini-site, WhatsApp support |

The choice depends on your status. Until you have an Israeli ID, the path goes through an ordinary bank. Once your documents are ready, Pepper is convenient for everyday payments and foreign-currency purchases, while a Leumi branch remains a fallback for complex questions. According to the bank, there is no fee for basic account maintenance, but check the exact fees in the app.

## Who it suits

• Residents of Israel and new immigrants with an Israeli ID who prefer to manage their account from a phone.
• Those who need a foreign-currency account with a card for purchases abroad.
• Clients who already use Leumi.

If you have not yet received Israeli documents, start with the ranking of banks.