• The Chinese yuan (CNY) is the third-most-traded currency at Moscow bank FX desks, after the US dollar and the euro. Cash yuan turnover in Russia has grown rapidly over the past few years.
• A bank quotes two yuan rates: its buy rate (the bank buys from you) and its sell rate (the bank sells to you). The widget below sorts Moscow banks separately for "I want to sell" and "I want to buy" CNY.
• The yuan spread in Moscow is on average wider than the dollar's — turnover is smaller. That's exactly why comparing banks on yuan pays off more: the gap between the leader and the average can run 0.2–0.5 ₽ per unit.
• Beyond the rate itself, what matters: spread, update time, banknote availability at the desk, and the series and condition of the notes.
• For amounts of 50,000 ¥ or more, it pays to call the bank and ask about an individual rate.

Below is the ranking methodology and a practical breakdown of how to use it for a CNY exchange.

Why the yuan has its own separate ranking

The cash yuan market in Moscow works a bit differently from the dollar or euro market. Not every bank actively handles CNY: at some, yuan exchange is a core retail service alongside USD/EUR; at others, it's a side operation handled "only if asked."

That means the list of banks with the best yuan rates is often shorter than the dollar list, but more stable. The CNY leaders tend to be the same names: banks with an active FX business in the China direction.

So a separate yuan ranking isn't a marketing gimmick — it reflects the actual structure of the market.

How the ranking is built

Data source. Cash-desk rates from banks' own Moscow branches — the actual rate at a specific FX desk, not a "market average."

Sorting. In "I want to sell CNY," banks are sorted in descending order of the buy rate (the bank that pays more per yuan is at the top). In "I want to buy CNY," banks are sorted in ascending order of the sell rate (the bank that asks less per yuan is at the top).

Update time. The CNY rate is usually refreshed less often than USD/EUR, because exchange-traded liquidity in CNY/RUB on the Moscow Exchange is thinner than in USD/RUB. You can see that in the timestamps in the widget.

Branch addresses. Click a row to open the list of the bank's Moscow branches with opening hours.

Compare CNY/RUB rates right now

Open the widget and do three things:

• Pick the direction: "I want to sell" or "I want to buy" yuan.
• Remember the top 3 banks.
• Check the update time.

Which banks most often top the yuan ranking

Again, specific names date fast, so it's more useful to look at the type of bank.

Banks with direct correspondent relationships with Chinese banks. They handle yuan actively in both cash and non-cash flows. The spread is narrower and the cash float is more stable.

Large universal banks. For them, yuan is part of a broader mass-market FX lineup. The spread is average, but availability is stable.

Banks with Chinese capital and joint Russia–China projects. A narrow niche, but they sometimes offer the most attractive rates thanks to direct access to yuan liquidity.

Regional banks with a Moscow office. Often don't handle yuan at retail, or handle it with a wide spread.

What to check besides the number itself

The bank's internal spread. If you plan to exchange "both ways" over time (buy now, sell later), a narrow spread is a bonus.

Update time. The yuan rate refreshes less often, so a "hanging" quote is more common. A phone call to the bank is a must, especially for a large amount.

Banknote availability. When you're buying yuan, the bank may answer "no cash yuan today." That happens more often than with dollars. Call before you head out.

Banknote series and condition. Notes from the 2015 (Five Series) and 2019 (Six Series) issues are accepted without reservation. Series from before 2005 and commemorative notes may trigger an extra check. More on this in our piece on yuan in Moscow.

Denomination. The main denomination at the desk is the 100-yuan note. Smaller notes (1, 5, 10, 20, 50) are accepted, but banks take them more reluctantly.

Comparison table: your task and what to watch for in the widget

Step-by-step algorithm

1. Open the widget. Pick CNY and the direction you need.
2. Make a shortlist of 3–4 banks. The leader, the second, the third, and "your own."
3. Check the leaders' spreads.
4. Check the update time. For yuan, this matters even more than for USD/EUR.
5. Plan your route.
6. Call the bank. Especially for a large amount or when you're buying (banknote availability).
7. Head out.

What's specific to the yuan as a currency

In Russia, cash yuan has a short but rapidly growing history. That means the infrastructure is developing faster than for the dollar/euro (which have been a standard offering at FX desks for decades). For a detailed guide, see where to exchange yuan in Moscow.

Where to look next

• Where to Exchange Yuan in Moscow — a general guide.
• When Is the Best Time to Exchange Currency in Russia — time of day and day of the week.
• Where to Exchange a Large Amount on Better Terms.

FAQ

Which Moscow banks have the best yuan rate right now?

The exact list is in the widget. It updates hourly and shows the actual current ranking.

Why is the yuan spread wider than the dollar's?

Cash yuan turnover in Moscow is still smaller than dollar turnover. To compensate for the risk of holding the currency longer, banks build in a slightly wider spread. As turnover grows, the spread narrows.

Which yuan banknotes are best to bring to a bank?

100 ¥ notes from the 2015 and 2019 issues. Older series (pre-2005) and commemorative banknotes may require an extra check.

Can I buy yuan and credit them to an FX account?

Yes — large banks with an active China business offer foreign-currency accounts in yuan with the option to buy through the app. The spread on a non-cash conversion is usually narrower than at the cash desk.

At what amount does it make sense to ask about an individual rate?

Usually from 50,000–100,000 ¥. That's the level where a bank has a real incentive to negotiate. Call a premium branch or ask for a personal manager.

Where can I see rates for other currencies?

The widget lets you switch. For the dollar, we have a separate piece. For the euro — another one.