OREANDA-NEWS. December 21, 2011. Sviaz-Bank’s BLIZKO money transfer system began making money transfers in Israel. It started up operations there with cooperation from Change Center (s.t.) L.t.d., a leading Israeli money transfer and exchange company, reported the press-centre of Sviaz-Bank.

At the moment, money can be sent and received through the BLIZKO system in Rishon Le Siyon and Tel-Aviv, the country’s biggest cities. Before this year is out, the number of customer service centers will grow as BLIZKO operations will extend to other Israeli cities as well – Haifa, Ashdod, Jerusalem, Bat Yam, Lod, Raananna, Qiryat Malakhi, Petah Tikva, Rehovot, Holon, Natanya, Hertsliyah, Beersheba, and Kfar Saba.

Transfers are made in U.S. dollars and euros for a commission of 1.3% to 2%, depending on the amount transferred, and take a minute to reach destination.

The BLIZKO systems keeps up expansion of its presence in other countries. In 2011, the system began operations in the Czech Republic and Israel.