Category: Russian Banks

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Salaries and social needs – a list of expenses with the digital ruble has been agreed upon

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Mainfin Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Image: mainfin.ru

What budget payments will be made using the electronic ruble?

The government has published a list of expenses for which transactions can be made using the digital ruble. The list includes the following federal budget expenditures:

Social payments to citizens; salaries of civil servants; financing of construction services; repair work at government facilities.

Starting in 2026, payments to the budget and government agencies can be made in digital rubles. The Ministry of Finance clarified that using the new form of national currency is only possible at the citizen's discretion; authorities will not force Russians to open accounts. Social benefits and wages will continue to be received in the usual format—via bank accounts and MIR cards.

How is the digital ruble being launched in Russia?

An experiment with a digital ruble was launched in Russia in the summer of 2023. This new form of payment was intended to be an alternative to cash and non-cash payments. By 2025, over 9,000 individuals and over 1,000 companies had joined the project, and approximately 100,000 transactions had been conducted using the currency. Large-scale implementation has been repeatedly delayed due to banks' reluctance to lose profits, as well as the lack of technical and legislative readiness.

"In mid-2025, the law on the digital ruble was signed by the president. Large companies will be required to use the new payment method starting in September 2026, while other market participants were granted a deferment until 2028," the expert recalled.

The first budget payments using the digital ruble were made this fall – the federal budget then transferred the salaries of a parliamentarian and several students, as well as payments for government contracts. The project is continuing to expand, and the Central Bank plans to raise public awareness of the new payment method.

12:00 12/30/2025

Source:

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.

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A positive trend: inflation in Russia has slowed to 5.8%.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Mainfin Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Image: mainfin.ru

What was the growth rate of consumer prices in Russia in mid-December?

Inflation in the country began to slow in December – prices rose by 0.05% in the first week of the month, and by 0.06% in the second. Since the beginning of the year, the increase has been approximately 5.4%. Compared to last year, inflation has slowed. According to the Central Bank, in December 2024, the price growth rate was 6.12%, and now it is 5.8%.

The Ministry of Economic Development also confirms this trend: in the first ten days of December, inflation slowed to 6.08% (compared to 6.34% a year earlier). However, experts agree that the slowdown in price growth is only temporary, driven by seasonal factors; it's too early to talk about the sustainability of this trend.

What will happen to inflation in Russia at the beginning of 2026?

The slowdown in price growth in December is a positive development, but inflation expectations remain high in the country. Price growth for goods and services is projected to accelerate in the first months of 2026, driven by several factors:

An increase in the VAT rate from 20 to 22%; the abolition of certain business benefits that reduce the tax burden; high borrowing activity among Russians; and a worsening budget deficit.

"The state budget for next year includes a key rate of 12-13% per annum, but the Central Bank of the Russian Federation believes the actual rate will exceed the forecast level: this contradiction calls into question the ability to fulfill budget plans," the pessimistic expert believes.

Moreover, at its most recent key rate meeting, the Central Bank of Russia noted that monetary policy in Russia will remain tight. The regulator is signaling the end of the rate cut cycle, and if inflation accelerates, the rate may even be revised upward. The next key rate decision will be made on February 13, 2026. The Central Bank expects inflation to fall below 5% next year.

15:30 12/23/2025

Source:

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.

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Now you can buy a LADA at T-Auto.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: T-Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Why buy a car from T-Auto?

We show you the car's price upfront. Our service shows the manufacturer's price—it won't increase during the transaction. Additionally, some models come with a bank discount.

We don't push additional services or equipment. You don't have to buy replacement tires, floor mats, or other accessories, or take out a car loan or insurance. Without all of these, the price of the car won't change.

We complete your purchase online. No need to make unnecessary trips to the dealership, the bank if you're taking out a loan, or the insurance company if you need insurance. All you need to do is inspect the car, sign the paperwork, and pick up the keys—we'll take care of the rest.

We'll arrange a test drive. If you'd like to evaluate the car in action, a manager will arrange a time and find a dealership convenient for you.

We offer paperless car loans and insurance. You can purchase a car with a loan and insure it with compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (OSAGO) or comprehensive insurance (CASCO) with the coverage you need. OSAGO and financing are processed entirely online, and if your CASCO insurance requires an inspection, our representative will conduct it at your convenience.

We'll bring the car and documents to you. If you don't have time to go to the dealership, we'll deliver the car and documents to your home or another location free of charge.

In addition to LADA, T-Auto also offers cars from Russian and Chinese brands: Chery, Haval, Exeed, Changan, Omoda, Jaecoo, Jetour, BAIC, Kaiyi, Moskvich, and others.

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.

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You can now earn and spend Gazpromneft gas station bonuses in the T-Bank app.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: T-Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Why use Fuel?

Earn cashback. We'll credit up to 7% of your first fill-up, and subsequent fill-ups will be credited depending on your card's loyalty program. For example, if you have a Black debit card, keep an eye out for increased cashback categories. Among them is "Fuel in the City"—select it to get back up to 5%, and sometimes up to 15%, of your order amount over the course of a month.

Search for gas stations by brand and fuel type. Set filters—we'll show all matching stations on the map, along with the distance to each and the price per liter.

Save your favorite gas stations. Add stations you frequently visit or simply like to "Favorites." This is convenient, for example, if you're far from the gas station but want to quickly find it on the map and plan a route.

Buy coffee without waiting in line. At Gazpromneft gas stations, you can order and pay for your drink online—no need to fill up. It'll take less than a minute and you won't have to wait in line at the checkout. Get cashback on your purchase.

Earn bonuses. Topliv offers loyalty cards for not only Gazpromneft gas stations, but also Neftmagistral and Teboil. If you use these brands, add your cards to the service and earn bonuses.

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.

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Auchan, Azbuka Vkusa, and Globus are now available in the T-Bank app.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: T-Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Why order groceries in the City?

Cashback for every order. We'll give you 15% cashback on your first purchase in the "Supermarkets" service, and 1% on subsequent purchases. To earn even more, choose the upgraded "City Supermarkets" category: you can earn up to 30% cashback on all purchases for a month.

Smart Search. Compare prices across all stores and choose the best one. To do this, enter the product name in the search bar on the service's main page. This feature is available in app versions 6.22 and later. If you don't have it, update the application.

Installment payments. Split your order payments into installments if you're not ready to pay them all off. During the payment process, turn on the "Installment Plan" toggle and select the payment term. We'll show you the monthly payment amount and the one-time fee. This option is available for orders over 500 ₽. If it's not visible, update the application.

24/7 support. If you encounter a problem—for example, you're waiting a long time for a courier or your order isn't complete—contact us via the T-Bank app chat. We'll contact the store and try to resolve the issue promptly.

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.

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Insurers are facing a tough time – the number of large OSAGO payouts has increased by 37% over the past year.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Mainfin Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

How has the number of OSAGO payments changed in 2025?

A significant increase in OSAGO payments was recorded regardless of the compensation amount – over the first 9 months of this year, the changes were significant:

The number of large payments (from ₽350 to ₽400 thousand) increased by 37%; the number of payments in the range of ₽300 to ₽350 thousand increased by 14%; insurers began to pay out 27% more often for damages in the amount of ₽250 to ₽300 thousand; an 18% increase was recorded in the group from ₽200 to ₽250 thousand; the number of claims for damages from ₽150 to ₽200 thousand increased by 24%.

The requirement to obtain compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (OSAGO) is stipulated by Russian law. Driving without it is prohibited, and violators face a fine (Article 12.37 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). Furthermore, in the event of an accident, the uninsured party responsible for the damage is responsible for their own compensation, which, given the constantly rising prices of auto parts, entails significant financial costs.

What's happening to MTPL rates amid rising payout volumes?

The Central Bank of the Russian Federation has revised the terms of compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (CMTPL) policies. The rate corridor for car owners has been expanded by 15% in both directions, while the limits for motorcyclists have been adjusted by 40%. These changes are intended to ensure that Russians receive the fairest possible prices for their policies. However, the new approach has sparked outrage. For example, in Novosibirsk and several districts of Ingushetia, the territorial coefficient has doubled, citing unscrupulous driver behavior as the reason.

"In Novosibirsk and Ingushetia, the level of fraud in the compulsory motor insurance (OSAGO) sector has remained high for the past five years, and the average payout is 1.5 times higher than the national average," the expert notes.

Conscientious drivers will be held accountable for the actions of unscrupulous policyholders, as the territorial coefficient in the aforementioned regions will increase for every policy buyer. Experts fear that the consequences of these changes for residents of Novosibirsk and Ingushetia will be dire: purchasing compulsory motor third-party liability insurance will become an impossible task, and insurers will simply shift their risks onto drivers.

10:00 12/16/2025

Source:

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.

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Pay for any purchases with Shares.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: T-Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Shares is a T-Bank service that allows you to split the cost of a purchase into four parts: you receive the item immediately and pay for it gradually over six weeks.

Previously, the service was only available at our partner online and offline stores. Now, you can use Shares to pay for clothing, cosmetics, baby items, and other items at any retail location. You can also split everyday payments into shares, such as internet, TV, mobile phone bills, tuition, utilities, transportation, and games in the T-Bank app.

The service is available to all customers and works everywhere: in the "Payments" section of the T-Bank app, in our partner apps, in online and offline stores, when paying by QR code, or by phone with T-Pay on Android.

When you sign up, you'll receive ₽30,000 in Shares for purchases. This limit is renewed monthly. The more you use the service, the higher the limit. The maximum amount is ₽70,000.

How to pay for a purchase in Shares

It all depends on the payment method.

Using your Black card or T-Pay on Android. In the T-Bank app, select your Black card account and tap "In Shares" in the upper right corner. After this, all future purchases will be split into shares until you tap "In Shares" again → "Disable Shared Payments."

If you use an Android smartphone, you can pay for your purchases with Doli contactlessly—just tap your phone on the terminal at the checkout.

When you pay, 25% of the total amount and a service fee will be debited from your account; the remaining three payments will be debited automatically every two weeks.

Via QR code. Scan the QR code using the smart camera in the T-Bank app. To do this, tap "Scan QR code" on the app's main screen. Or simply use your smartphone's camera.

The payment screen will then open. Select the "Pay in Shares" option: to do this, slide the toggle switch to the right and make sure it's blue. Click the "Pay" button. You'll then see a screen with transaction details.

The "Share" service is currently available for payments using QR codes from Sber and SBP. Starting in January, QR codes from T-Bank will be added to this list.

In the "Payments" section of the T-Bank app, select the desired payment—for example, "Housing and Utilities," "Government Services," or "Education." Enter the amount and select "Pay in Installments" → "Pay."

Why pay for purchases with Shares?

The service allows you to split your payment into four equal installments. This way, you'll receive the item immediately, as if you'd paid for the entire purchase.

You can easily track your repayment schedule in the T-Bank app.

Doli makes budgeting easy. Here are the service's key benefits:

No need to save: you pick up the item and pay only a portion of its cost. For example, you can use Shares to pay for sneakers on sale and lock in a great price, even if you're short on cash right now. There's no long-term commitment. You'll have time to pay for the entire purchase within six weeks, and you can pay the rest early if you like. The purchase won't break your budget. If you're planning on buying something large, like a refrigerator or a new laptop, you won't have to spend a large amount upfront and save on other expenses.

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.

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T-Auto has launched a new brand: EXLANTIX.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: T-Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

How to buy a car from T-Auto?

T-Auto is a service for buying a new car through an app and on the website.

T-Bank. Here's a step-by-step guide to purchasing a car.

Select brand and model from the catalog.

In addition to EXLANTIX, T-Auto sells cars from other popular brands: LADA, Haval, TANK, Moskvich, Geely—more than 20 manufacturers in total.

If you need help choosing, submit a request. A service manager will help you find a car that fits your needs and budget, free of charge.

Reserve the car and make a deposit of ₽10,000 to lock in the price. This price will not change during the transaction: refusing additional equipment and options will not affect the price of the car. If you decide not to purchase, we'll refund the entire amount without penalty.

Discuss the details of the deal with the manager.

For example, you might want to trade in your old car, get a car loan, including one with government support, or buy both compulsory motor insurance and comprehensive insurance. If you need a test drive, a manager can help arrange it.

Sign the documents and pick up the car.

You can pick up your car at a dealership in your region or have it delivered to your home. We'll tow it for you free of charge.

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.

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The Celestial Empire is even closer – VTB will introduce QR code payments in China.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Mainfin Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

How will QR code payments work in China?

The launch of payments via QR codes in China is expected to take place in 2026 – the management has not specified the exact dates. VTB It hasn't been announced yet. However, we already know how the technology will work:

Russian and Chinese QR codes will be matched. The customer will need to open the VTB app in the store and scan the QR code from the terminal. The system will send a request to the bank for a secure payment. A successful transaction message will appear on the terminal, completing the purchase.

The service is essential for Russian tourists in China, as traditional bank card payments are restricted abroad: Visa and MasterCard have left due to Russian sanctions, and UnionPay has been suspended. banks from Russia operates in other countries with significant restrictions.

In which other countries is VTB Bank's service available?

China isn't the only country where VTB Bank offers QR code payments to Russians. The financial institution previously launched a similar service in Vietnam. The service operates through the Russian-Vietnamese Bank and is available in 3,000 stores across the country (primarily in tourist areas).

"We continue to develop payment infrastructure in countries popular with Russian tourists: in Vietnam, we plan to expand the coverage area for QR code payments," said VTB CEO Andrey Kostin.

The technology has already been implemented in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan; the list of countries where VTB provides the service may expand in the future. Sberbank, which previously launched payments via Sber Online in Belarus, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, China, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. However, the availability of QR code payments depends on the merchant.

09:00 09.12.2025

Source:

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.

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Get a Black card and get a chance to win up to 5,000,000 ₽.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: T-Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

There's another reason to get a Black debit card from T-Bank. We'll be drawing a prize pool of 25,000,000 rubles for those who order the card before December 24, 2025, and use it to pay for any purchase of 500 rubles or more, right before the New Year.

All participants in the promotion will also receive a guaranteed cashback bonus from our partners.

How to participate.

To take part in the cash drawing, you need to:

Apply for a Black card directly on this page and schedule a meeting with a T-Bank representative. They will deliver your card and an envelope containing a golden ticket with a QR code. Scan the QR code to access the giveaway chat in the T-Bank app and receive a guaranteed bonus. Pay for any purchase of 500 rubles or more with your Black card until December 24, 2025.

Who can participate.

Anyone who doesn't have a Black debit card.

If you had a Black card but the service agreement was terminated before November 30, 2025, you can re-apply for a Black card and participate in the drawing.

How many winners will there be?

In total, we will raffle off 116 cash prizes – from 100,000 to 5,000,000 ₽.

1 prize — 5,000,000 ₽; 5 prizes of 1,000,000 ₽; 10 prizes of 500,000 ₽; 100 prizes of 100,000 ₽.

To qualify for a cash prize, make one purchase of 500 rubles or more and pay with your Black card. You'll then receive a raffle code in the T-Bank app.

The winners will receive the money on their Black card account no later than December 31st.

What guaranteed prizes can be won?

Anyone who accesses the T-Bank app via a QR code will receive a guaranteed bonus from one of our partners:

A free month of the "Package" subscription and 60% cashback for the second month. 100% cashback on sweets. These include Rostagroexport or Savushkin glazed curd bars, Akulchev Viennese waffles, Zolotoy Standart ice cream, Sady Pridonya juice, Babyfox bars, or Bon Pari marmalade. You can receive cashback for one item from one of our partners. To do this, find the purchase in the "Transactions" section and attach a photo of the receipt before January 24, 2026.

What bonus awaits you—a pre-New Year's surprise. Click the QR code on the golden ticket and find out what you've won.

When we sum it up.

The winners will be chosen on December 26th using a random number generator. The results will be published. on the promotion page.

We'll also send the winners a message via the T-Bank app and call them to congratulate them personally.

Why get a Black debit card?

Firstly, to receive a golden ticket and participate in the pre-New Year promotion. And secondly, to enjoy all the benefits of our debit card.

Cashback in rubles.

We offer up to 30% cashback on purchases from partners: popular marketplaces, clothing stores, cosmetics, jewelry, and electronics brands.

We also offer cashback of up to 15% in four categories you choose each month: supermarkets, clothing and footwear, fast food, home and renovations, transportation, and more.

Free transfers to other banks.

You can transfer up to 1,000,000 ₽ per transaction and up to 30,000,000 ₽ per month using a phone number without commission—to yourself and to other people.

Cash withdrawal without commission.

Up to 500,000 ₽ at T-Bank ATMs and up to 100,000 ₽ per billing period at other ATMs, if you withdraw at least 3,000 ₽ at a time.

Additional cards for loved ones with free service. You can order an additional card for your account and give it to your spouse so the whole family can accumulate cashback, or to your parents so they can spend a fixed amount from your account each month.

A convenient application for all expenses.

You can use it to pay your utility bills, open a savings account, or register for self-employment. You can also order grocery delivery, buy a movie ticket, or fill up with gas and earn cashback.

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.