Category: Central Bank of Russia

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

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By order of the Chairman of the Bank of Russia, Andrey Anatolyevich Popov has been appointed head of the Volga-Vyatka Main Administration of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation from March 3, 2026.

Andrey Popov, a PhD candidate in economics, has worked at the Bank of Russia for nearly 30 years. Since 2020, he has headed the Bank of Russia's Operations Department. Deputy Director Pavel Levin has been appointed acting director of this department.

When using the material, a link to the Press Service of the Bank of Russia is required.

February 27, 2026

10:00:00

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Bank of Russia revealed In 2025, there were more than 7,000 financial pyramids and other illegal financial market participants. Almost all of the pyramids and pseudo-brokers (more than 5,700) operated online. Often, the organizers promoted the same scheme under different names: there were cases where projects were duplicated more than 300 times.

Illegal actors offered to invest in cryptoassets and pay for participation in Ponzi schemes using cryptocurrency—this method allows the scammers to maintain anonymity and avoid prosecution. Last year, more than 4,600 cryptocurrency wallets were identified where victims of Ponzi schemes deposited funds. Some of these wallets were also used by pseudo-brokers to fund clients' trading accounts.

To attract a younger audience, scheme creators emphasized the use of artificial intelligence. A dangerous trend has emerged, involving participants in illegal projects in dropshipping schemes. As a result, they not only lose their money but also risk becoming accomplices to the crime.

Black lenders (1,100 projects) actively used the online format, opening new brick-and-mortar offices under a common brand. This scheme was used by pseudo-pawnshops and consignment stores, which illegally issued loans purportedly secured by the items being traded in.

At the initiative of the Bank of Russia, 21,500 online resources belonging to financial pyramids and illegal entities were blocked in 2025. The regulator forwards information on all identified illegal projects to law enforcement agencies, the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia, and other organizations to prevent illegal activity. In 2025, based on the review of such materials (including for previous periods), more than 440 administrative cases were initiated and over 650 different response measures were taken.

Preview photo: Bachirii1 / Shutterstock / Fotodom

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

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Bank of Russia offers change the procedure for determining the amount of remuneration of a non-state pension fund (NPF) depending on the method of investing pension reserves.

If funds separate their portfolios, for example, by placing funds separately under different non-state pension provision strategies and long-term savings programs, then they will calculate investment income separately for each such strategy to determine the amount of their remuneration.

If a specific portfolio achieves a positive result, the fund will be able to calculate a "success" bonus. This is the second component of the remuneration that NPFs receive in addition to the fixed component for asset management.

This approach will allow funds to more fairly reflect the performance and compensation for each strategy, rather than relying on average values across all pension reserves.

The changes are planned to take effect on January 1, 2027. This means that the variable portion of NPF remuneration for 2026 will be calculated according to the new rules.

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Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Bank lending to companies (including bonds) decreased by 0.4% in January (0.5% in December). This situation is generally typical for the beginning of the year – the decline in loan demand is largely due to the increase in budget revenues from government contracts in December and January.

Household mortgage debt increased by 0.9% (2.4% in December), a strong result for the start of the year. This trend is partly explained by the tightening of the Family Mortgage terms effective February 1, 2026. The consumer loan portfolio increased by 0.9% (-0.7% in December), which may be related to significant spending during the New Year holidays.

Household bank balances traditionally declined in January (-1.4%) after a significant increase in December (5.6%). This happens every year: bonuses and bonuses are paid in December, and people withdraw some funds from their accounts and generally spend heavily during the long holidays. Corporate balances continued to grow moderately in January (0.2% after 0.7% in December).

The banking sector's profit amounted to 394 billion rubles, higher than December's 176 billion rubles, which saw a seasonal peak in advertising and personnel spending, as well as large reserve contributions. However, due to the negative revaluation of securities included in capital, the sector's overall financial result was slightly lower, at 357 billion rubles.

For more details, read the information and analytical material "On the development of the banking sector of the Russian Federation in January 2026".

Preview photo: Oleg Elkov / TASS

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Consumers have the right to independently select an insurer from those that meet the bank's criteria and change them at any time during the loan term. It is unacceptable to force a specific insurance company on the borrower or provide any preferences in this case, including a reduced interest rate. This is stated by the Bank of Russia and the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia. reminded credit institutions.

The bank must inform the client within 7 business days of submitting the documents whether the provided insurance policy is suitable or provide a justification for the refusal. If the bank rejects the insurance policy and increases the loan interest rate, the borrower can provide a different policy. If it meets the bank's requirements, it is recommended to reduce the interest rate to the previous level.

Furthermore, credit institutions need to simplify the accreditation process for insurers and automatically accept those with a credit rating. Banks can independently determine their own acceptable rating scale, but the cutoff cannot be higher than "A-." This will expand the choice of insurance companies and help reduce the cost of policies for consumers.

Preview photo: Dmitry Uglov / Shutterstock / Fotodom

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Over the past year, the number of counterfeit banknotes in circulation has decreased by 20%, to 6,565. In 2025, there was only one counterfeit banknote per million.

Large denomination banknotes remain the most frequently counterfeited – 5,000 rubles (62%) and 1,000 rubles (31%). The highest number of counterfeit bills was detected in the Central, Southern, and Northwestern Federal Districts.

The number of counterfeit foreign banknotes, on the other hand, increased by 44% (primarily due to counterfeit US dollars). A total of 2,703 such counterfeits were detected.

Read more in the material on the Bank of Russia website.

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Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Companies will be able to make payments in digital rubles based on registers—simultaneous credits to a large number of recipients in a single transfer. This method will be used for paying salaries, settling accounts with suppliers for goods, paying taxes for employees, and so on. This and other innovations are included in draft instructions of the Bank of Russia, which is published for public discussion.

Register-based payments speed up payment transfers, avoid errors in payment details by eliminating the need to enter them individually for each recipient, and significantly simplify document flow and accountants' work. Companies and individuals participating in the digital ruble pilot will be the first to try out the service.

In addition, the platform's rules are supplemented by a new chapter that describes the legal basis for cross-border settlements in central bank digital currencies.

Comments and suggestions regarding the draft directive will be accepted until March 6 inclusive.

As a reminder, the digital ruble is a new form of national currency. It is issued in addition to cash and non-cash funds. Basic transactions with the digital national currency are currently only available to pilot participants. Wider use of the digital ruble will begin in September 2026. Major banks and retailers will be required to provide their infrastructure for this. Citizens will be able to use digital rubles at their own discretion.

Preview photo: SERGEI ILNITSKY / EPA / TASS

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.