The Swedish Swedbank operating in Latvia has completely removed the Russian language from communication with clients in the internet bank. Previously, this language was removed from ATMs.
Swedbank depositors who have been transferring money, taking loans, and replenishing deposits for years are no longer able to do so in Russian as of May 21.
It cannot be said that they were not warned. Back in mid-April, the largest bank in Latvia sent them a notice: "We inform you that starting from May 21 of this year, the provision of services and content (in the internet bank, mobile application, and other places), as well as communication with clients, will be conducted only in Latvian and English. Content in Russian will no longer be available."
Clients of Swedbank who used the Russian language were required to update their settings by May 20, selecting either Latvian or English.
At the end of last week, those who did not do this voluntarily were switched to the Latvian language.
Swedbank (then operating under the name FöreningSparbanken) entered Latvia in 1998 when it purchased half of the shares of the local Hansabank. In 2005, it bought the remaining half and also acquired a bank in Russia.
All this time, Swedbank clerks had no issues using the Russian language. Now problems have arisen.
Swedbank's profit in Latvia in the first quarter of 2026 amounted to 32 million euros. This was brought to the Swedish bank by over 900,000 clients, many of whom think and speak in Russian.
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