Financial news: Information on the progress of liquidation procedures in relation to non-state pension funds.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Forced liquidation occurs when a non-state pension fund's license is revoked for violations of the law or when the NPF's shareholders have failed to resolve to liquidate the fund, but the fund's license has already been revoked following the NPF's application to renounce the license. If the NPF is unable to satisfy creditors' claims, the arbitration court declares the NPF bankrupt and initiates bankruptcy proceedings against it.

In the event of liquidation (bankruptcy) of the NPF, participants are reimbursed for the guaranteed compensation (see section "Guaranteeing the rights of participants (insured persons)".

Claims of participants (insured persons) exceeding the amounts of guaranteed compensation are satisfied within the framework of liquidation (bankruptcy proceedings).

When liquidating a non-state pension fund, the claims of participants (insured persons) under the compulsory pension insurance (OPS), non-state pension insurance (NPO) and pension savings plans (PDS) are repaid from pension reserve funds, which are not included in the bankruptcy estate.

The NPF is transferred to the Financial Markets Service within three months from the date of the decision to declare the NPF bankrupt or liquidate it.

Obligations under NPO and PDS agreements are repaid by paying participants or transferring to another fund redemption amounts, which are included in the register of creditors' claims and repaid within 9 months from the date of the court decision on bankruptcy or liquidation.

Payment of the surrender value or its transfer to the relevant NPF is made based on the participant's application. The application must be submitted to the DIA in person, through a representative by courier, or by registered mail with a return receipt requested no later than six months from the date of the arbitration court's decision to declare the NPF bankrupt or liquidate it.

Claims to be satisfied from pension reserve funds are satisfied in the following order:

1st priority — claims of the State Deposit Insurance Agency acquired as a result of payment or transfer to another NPF of guaranteed compensation; 2nd priority — claims for payment of the surrender value of NPF participants, in respect of whom the fund has become obligated to pay a lifetime non-state pension, or claims for making payments under a long-term savings agreement; 3rd priority — claims for payment of the surrender value of NPF participants, in respect of whom the fund has become obligated to pay a non-state pension for a period specified in a pension agreement, or claims for making fixed-term periodic payments; 4th priority — claims of depositors, participants and legal successors of NPF participants — individuals; 5th priority — claims of NPF depositors — legal entities; 6th priority — claims of other creditors to be satisfied from pension reserves in accordance with the Federal Law "On Non-State Pension Funds".

If the creditor fails to provide the information necessary for settlement, the State Security Service (DIA) will transfer the funds owed to them to a separate account opened with the Bank of Russia. The creditor has the right to receive these funds within three years from the date of completion of bankruptcy proceedings against the NPF. If the creditor misses this deadline, the funds will be transferred to the pension reserve guarantee fund, and the NPF's obligations to them will be terminated.

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.

Financial news: Information on the progress of liquidation proceedings in relation to insurance entities, for which the DIA Group is the bankruptcy trustee (liquidator).

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Insurance is one of the key financial institutions of a market economy and a mechanism for effectively protecting the property interests of citizens, businesses, and organizations from various risks.

3976.6 billion rubles

amounted to insurance premiums based on the results of 2025.

Currently, insurance services are provided for more than 100 types of insurance, the most popular of which are compulsory motor third party liability insurance (CMTPL), accident and illness insurance, and personal property insurance.

Regulation, control and supervision of the activities of insurance entities: insurance organizations, insurance brokers and mutual insurance companies is carried out by the Bank of Russia.

395.5 million units

insurance contracts were concluded by 2025, of which 91% were contracts with individuals.

As of 01.01.2026, the following was in effect in Russia:

129 insurance companies

60 insurance brokers

15 mutual insurance societies

The main tasks of the Bank of Russia are to prevent and suppress violations of insurance legislation and unfair practices, ensure the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of consumers of insurance services, and the effective development of the insurance business.

The focus of insurance supervision is on creating a reliable insurance environment, increasing the responsibility of the insurance business, and building consumer confidence in insurance services. One of the key priorities of the Bank of Russia's activities concerns improving mechanisms for protecting the rights and legitimate interests of insurance consumers, as well as developing behavioral oversight practices.

Following the entry into force of Bank of Russia Instruction No. 6315-U dated 14.11.2022 "On the Forms, Deadlines, and Procedure for Compiling and Submitting Insurer Reports to the Bank of Russia," the methodology for generating indicators for Form 0420162 "Information on the Insurer's Activities" has changed. Specifically, beginning with data for the first quarter of 2023, Form 0420162 reflects the amount of insurance premiums under insurance contracts paid during the reporting period in accordance with the terms of the insurance contracts. Due to these changes, in some cases, the amount of insurance premiums, beginning with data for the first quarter of 2023, may not be fully comparable with indicators for comparable periods of the previous year.

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.

Financial news: Monetary base (narrow definition, weekly values).

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

August 2023 – March 2026

billion rubles

Date Monetary base
March 20, 2026 19,998.3
March 13, 2026 19,921.4
March 6, 2026 19,812.8
February 27, 2026 19,631.2
February 20, 2026 19,684.3
February 13, 2026 19,607.4
February 6, 2026 19,485.2
January 30, 2026 19,401.7
January 23, 2026 19,514.7
January 16, 2026 19,647.7
December 26, 2025 19,832.4
December 19, 2025 19,529.0
December 12, 2025 19,297.8
December 5, 2025 19,160.8
November 28, 2025 19,065.6
November 21, 2025 19,139.3
November 14, 2025 19,132.9
November 7, 2025 19,043.1
October 31, 2025 18,993.0
October 24, 2025 19,014.7
October 17, 2025 19,083.9
October 10, 2025 19,019.3
October 3, 2025 18,938.6
September 26, 2025 18,875.5
September 19, 2025 18,948.9
September 12, 2025 18,875.3
September 5, 2025 18,800.3
August 29, 2025 18,684.8
August 22, 2025 18,729.3
August 15, 2025 18,740.9
August 8, 2025 18,644.8
August 1, 2025 18,481.3
July 25, 2025 18,464.7
July 18, 2025 18,532.7
July 11, 2025 18,479.6
July 4, 2025 18,346.8
June 27, 2025 18,263.7
June 20, 2025 18,329.6
June 11, 2025 18,289.5
June 6, 2025 18,151.8
May 30, 2025 18,032.2
May 23, 2025 18,091.8
May 16, 2025 18,174.7
May 7, 2025 18,153.9
April 30, 2025 18,132.7
April 25, 2025 18,042.1
April 18, 2025 18,072.4
April 11, 2025 18,019.2
April 4, 2025 17,948.0
March 28, 2025 17,939.7
March 21, 2025 18,114.5
March 14, 2025 18,105.3
March 7, 2025 18,086.4
February 28, 2025 18,072.9
February 21, 2025 18,232.9
February 14, 2025 18,289.5
February 7, 2025 18,279.8
January 31, 2025 18,274.7
January 24, 2025 18,387.0
January 17, 2025 18,558.8
January 10, 2025 18,681.6
December 27, 2024 18,954.2
December 20, 2024 18,713.9
December 13, 2024 18,556.7
December 6, 2024 18,369.2
November 29, 2024 18,228.7
November 22, 2024 18,273.0
November 15, 2024 18,338.8
November 8, 2024 18,300.5
November 1, 2024 18,292.9
October 25, 2024 18,357.4
October 18, 2024 18,468.5
October 11, 2024 18,425.9
October 4, 2024 18,348.1
September 27, 2024 18,300.0
September 20, 2024 18,386.6
September 13, 2024 18,369.1
September 6, 2024 18,330.5
August 30, 2024 18,296.2
August 23, 2024 18,332.1
August 16, 2024 18,371.8
August 9, 2024 18,327.0
August 2, 2024 18,299.2
July 26, 2024 18,310.5
July 19, 2024 18,387.2
July 12, 2024 18,347.1
July 5, 2024 18,215.1
June 28, 2024 18,145.8
June 21, 2024 18,250.9
June 14, 2024 18,293.7
June 7, 2024 18,240.4
May 31, 2024 18,143.7
May 24, 2024 18,199.2
May 17, 2024 18,306.0
May 8, 2024 18,320.5
May 3, 2024 18,254.5
April 26, 2024 18,244.2
April 19, 2024 18,262.5
April 12, 2024 18,205.5
April 5, 2024 18,118.1
March 29, 2024 18,063.8
March 22, 2024 18,123.5
March 15, 2024 18,023.7
March 7, 2024 18,064.8
March 1, 2024 17,975.1
February 22, 2024 18,075.9
February 16, 2024 18,087.7
February 9, 2024 18,022.6
February 2, 2024 18,010.3
January 26, 2024 18,030.1
January 19, 2024 18,178.9
January 12, 2024 18,255.6
December 29, 2023 18,591.7
December 22, 2023 18,312.1
December 15, 2023 18,252.8
December 8, 2023 18,152.3
December 1, 2023 18,124.4
November 24, 2023 18,221.1
November 17, 2023 18,388.3
November 10, 2023 18,427.9
November 3, 2023 18,482.6
October 27, 2023 18,470.2
October 20, 2023 18,594.8
October 13, 2023 18,640.9
October 6, 2023 18,576.4
September 29, 2023 18,550.4
September 22, 2023 18,669.4
September 15, 2023 18,738.3
September 8, 2023 18,667.9
September 1, 2023 18,586.9
August 25, 2023 18,618.9
August 18, 2023 18,719.7
August 11, 2023 18,604.1
August 4, 2023 18,504.7

Data available from January 10, 2014 to March 20, 2026

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.

The banking industry forecasts that the dollar is not expected to rise above ₽100 in 2026.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Mainfin Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Image: mainfin.ru

How do bankers see the dollar-to-ruble exchange rate in 2026?

The survey involved executives from 32 large Russian banks, six of which are considered systemically important financial institutions. According to the study's findings:

84% of respondents expect the dollar exchange rate to be between 80 and 100% in 2026; 56% of surveyed bankers believe the dollar will be quoted between 80 and 90 rubles; 9% of respondents expect the dollar exchange rate to be below 80 rubles; 4% of surveyed participants have an even more positive forecast – the dollar will cost less than 70 rubles; only 3% of experts budgeted for the dollar to be more than 100 rubles.

Incidentally, forecasts a year earlier were more pessimistic. For example, 62% of participants believed the dollar would exceed 100 rubles. Experts also had similar expectations for late 2025, but these forecasts were subsequently adjusted toward a stronger Russian ruble.

What's happening in the currency market at the end of March?

The US dollar exchange rate (according to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation) as of March 24, 2026, is 81.8 rubles. The American currency reached its peak on March 20, approaching 85 rubles, but retreated in the following days. However, the weakening trend of the domestic currency continues due to the following factors:

A significant reduction in the supply of foreign currency on the domestic market, including the suspension of operations by the Ministry of Finance; volatility in the foreign exchange market due to the situation in the Middle East; a reduction in the key rate at the regulator's last meeting from 15.5% to 15%; and a significant federal budget deficit.

"The ruble has been weakening throughout March, but this trend won't last long. In the coming months, revenue from oil sales at a high price will begin to flow into the budget, which will support the exchange rate," the expert notes.

Analysts expect the ruble to strengthen as early as late March, as supply on the foreign exchange market will increase thanks to exporters facing the annual tax on raw materials production. Russians are urged not to give in to the hype and not to buy foreign currency: it's better to wait until May, when the ruble will strengthen and exchange rates will be more favorable.

10:30 03/24/2026

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.

Financial news: Admission of an insurance organization to the financial market in the form of a joint-stock company (JSC).

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

1. Study the necessary federal laws and regulations.

2. Check the organization's compliance with the requirements for authorized capital.

To do this, follow these guidelines: By Bank of Russia Instruction No. 6171-U dated June 28, 2022 "On establishing a list of documents confirming compliance with the requirements for the authorized capital of an insurance organization, a list of documents confirming the sources of origin of property contributed by founders (shareholders, participants) of an applicant for a license to carry out insurance and (or) reinsurance to the authorized capital, and requirements for such information and documents."

Minimum amount of authorized capital Types of insurance activities
300,000,000 rubles Voluntary personal insurance, with the exception of voluntary life insurance and/or voluntary property insurance and/or other types of insurance provided for by federal laws on specific types of compulsory insurance.
450,000,000 rubles Voluntary life insurance or voluntary life insurance and voluntary personal insurance, excluding voluntary life insurance.
600,000,000 rubles Reinsurance, as well as insurance in combination with reinsurance.
120,000,000 rubles For insurance companies providing exclusively compulsory medical insurance.

3. Check officials for compliance with legal requirements.

The list of persons, as well as qualification and other requirements for these persons are provided for in Article 32.1 Law No. 4015-1.

To perform the check, we recommend using:

4. Select a unique name and include it in the legal entity's charter and the Unified State Register of Legal Entities.

To check the names already in use, we recommend using unified state register of insurance entities. It is also necessary to comply with the naming requirements specified in Article 4.1. Law No. 4015-1.

The name must contain The organizational and legal form of the insurance entity.
The type of activity of the subject of the insurance business using the words “insurance”, “reinsurance”, and derivatives of these words.
A designation that individualizes the subject of insurance business.
An indication that the joint-stock company is public (for public joint-stock companies).

In the event that the insurance supervisory authority refuses to issue a license or returns an application for a license, a legal entity whose name contains the words “insurance,” “reinsurance,” or their derivatives is required to exclude them from its name and make appropriate changes to its charter or resubmit the documents within 90 working days from the date of the relevant decision.

5. Pay the state fee for performing legally significant actions.

The state duty amount is 7,500 rubles.Details for payment of state duty

In order to minimize errors when entering information, we recommend using Payment order designer.

6. Activate personal account of an information exchange participant and send a set of documents to the Bank of Russia.

7. Obtain a license to carry out insurance and reinsurance.

When making a decision on issuing a license, information about the subject of the insurance business is entered intoUnified State Register of Insurance EntitiesThe license is valid from the day following the day the Bank of Russia makes a decision to issue it.

The license for insurance and reinsurance in the form of an extract is sent through the personal account.

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.

Bonds instead of deposits – in 2025, Russians replenished their brokerage accounts at a record level.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Mainfin Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Image: mainfin.ru

What is the reason for the growing popularity of brokerage accounts?

Brokerage accounts are becoming increasingly attractive to Russian investors who want their savings to work and generate a stable income. The main reasons for this growing popularity include:

reduction of interest rates deposits against the backdrop of the easing of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation's policy, the average maximum yield will be reached in May 2025 deposits The annual interest rate exceeded 19.5%, falling below 14.5% in February 2026. The possibility of receiving tax deductions when opening and adding funds to an individual investment account (IIS), which increases the profitability of such investments. Increased interest in long-term savings – interest rates on long-term deposits are extremely unfavorable, forcing conservative investors to seek alternatives. The ease of opening brokerage accounts – many banks offer this service, including online, and the effort is comparable to opening a traditional deposit.

While investment accounts were previously aimed at experienced market participants, the product is now suitable for beginners as well. The Central Bank of the Russian Federation is implementing a public literacy project called "Financial Navigator," and the Moscow Exchange and a number of banks also offer similar investment courses.

How has the Russian investment market changed in 2025?

Last year, money steadily flowed from deposits to brokerage accounts. Analysts estimate that by the end of 2025:

The net inflow of funds from individuals into brokerage accounts exceeded ₽2.5 trillion; the total volume of funds held by Russians in such accounts increased by 16% over the year, reaching ₽12.3 trillion; more than 70% of the capital was contributed by qualified investors, i.e., market participants with large assets or a relevant education; investment portfolios worth between 1 and 100 million rubles increased by 20%; in the small portfolio segment (from 10,000 to 1 million rubles), the annual growth was 12%; the average account balance remained unchanged at 2.2 million rubles.

"OFZs account for about 40% of portfolios. At the beginning of the year, investors were also interested in stocks, but given the complex geopolitical situation, such investments would have been considered excessively risky," the expert stated.

Investment accounts will remain popular in 2026, especially if the key rate continues to decline. Bonds remain the focus, but the trend could shift: funds will begin to flow into stocks if there are prospects for improved international conditions, sanctions easing, and the end of the IMF.

15:25 03/17/2026

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.

Financial news: Lists of arbitration managers.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Came into force on January 11, 2016 Federal Law of July 13, 2015 No. 223-FZ "On self-regulatory organizations in the financial market and on amendments to Articles 2 and 6 of the Federal Law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation" (hereinafter referred to as the Law), which regulates the procedure for obtaining the status of a self-regulatory organization in the financial market (hereinafter referred to as SRO), requirements for governing bodies, basic and internal standards for the activities of SROs, as well as relations arising between financial organizations and SROs.

According to Article 26 of the Law, the Bank of Russia maintains a unified register in the financial market, which contains the name of the SRO, the date of the decision on inclusion in the register, the types of activities in relation to which the SRO carries out self-regulation, the TIN, OGRN, address, and a list of SRO members.

According to Article 33 of the Law, self-regulatory organizations uniting credit consumer cooperatives were included in the unified register of self-regulatory organizations in the financial market from the date of entry into force of the Law and were assigned the status of SRO.

The law provides for the obligation for financial organizations listed in Part 1 of Article 3 of the Law to become a member of one of the self-regulatory organizations within one hundred and eighty days from the date the non-profit organization receives the status of a self-regulatory organization in the financial market in relation to the type of activity carried out by the financial organization.

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.

Financial news: Description of "Tax" formats (version from 05.03.2026).

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Electronic message formats for data exchange in accordance with the requirements of Bank of Russia Instruction No. 6952-U dated 25.11.2024 "On the procedure for sending individual documents of the tax authority to the bank in electronic form by the tax authority, the procedure for sending individual documents of the bank to the tax authority in electronic form by the bank, as well as on the procedure for determining the date and time of receipt by the bank of the tax authority's decision to suspend transactions on the accounts of the taxpayer – organization in the bank and transfers of its electronic funds in electronic form"

September 15, 2025

(version dated 09/11/2025)

March 10, 2026

(version dated 03/05/2026)

Electronic message formats for data exchange in accordance with the requirements of Bank of Russia Regulation No. 440-P of November 6, 2014 "On the procedure for sending individual documents from tax authorities to the bank, as well as sending individual documents from the bank to the tax authority in electronic form in cases stipulated by the legislation of the Russian Federation on taxes and fees"

June 3, 2022

In agreement with the Federal Tax Service of Russia, the reference book will be applied from January 17, 2022.

December 28, 2024

The period of application will be communicated to the participants of the information exchange additionally by official letter.

Formats and structures of electronic documents stipulated by regulatory documents of the Bank of Russia when a bank, divisions of the settlement network operating as part of a territorial institution of the Bank of Russia, field institutions of the Bank of Russia, the First Operational Directorate of the Bank of Russia notify the tax authority in electronic form about opening or closing an account, deposit (deposit), about changing the details of an account, deposit (deposit), to the body supervising the payment of insurance premiums about opening or closing an account, about changing the details of an account Formats and structures of electronic documents stipulated by Bank of Russia Regulation No. 377-P dated 28.04.2012 "On the procedure for notifying the tax authority in electronic form about granting the right or terminating the right to use corporate electronic means of payment for electronic money transfers, about changing the details of a corporate electronic means of payment" Formats and structures of service messages and transport files stipulated by Bank of Russia Instruction dated 30.10.2020 No. 5607-U "On the procedure for a bank to notify a tax authority in electronic form about the granting of the right or termination of the right to use electronic means of payment for transfers of electronic funds and changes in the details of electronic means of payment specified in paragraph 1.1 of Article 86 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation"

Bank of Russia Instruction No. 5607-U dated October 30, 2020, "On the procedure for a bank to notify a tax authority electronically about the granting or termination of the right to use electronic payment instruments for electronic money transfers and changes to the details of electronic payment instruments specified in paragraph 1.1 of Article 86 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation" is registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation and is posted for reference purposes.

Rules for compiling and submitting information in electronic form, as stipulated by Bank of Russia Instruction No. 4512-U of August 30, 2017, "On the scope and procedure for transferring information by authorized banks as currency control agents to currency control authorities"

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.

A question of price: banks propose easing requirements for mass calls

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Mainfin Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Image: mainfin.ru

Why are major banks advocating for changes to call labeling regulations?

Outgoing call labeling is a legal requirement aimed at combating fraud and spam. Since September 1st of last year, businesses making bulk calls have been required to enter into paid contracts with telecom operators, with subscribers having the right to refuse such calls. The current requirements have not been met with satisfaction. banks, who identified several problems associated with the implementation of the labeling law:

Not all calls made by banks are mass calls; most are personalized; telecom operators have been granted the right to block any calls unless the bank has signed a contract with them; criteria for defining mass calls are not established by law, which leads to abuse by operators; the rate of 0.25 rubles for each call, including unsuccessful ones, is excessive.

Banks' key complaint is the high cost of call labeling services, which forces businesses to pay not just for the call itself, but even for the attempt to reach the client.

What rules for mass calls are banks proposing to implement?

Major Russian banks are proposing a change to their approach to call labeling. The relevant requirements are outlined in a package of amendments to the "Antifraud 2.0" bill. Specifically, the proposals include:

Create an exception for mass calls made in compliance with regulatory requirements—labeling will not be required for these calls; eliminate the possibility of telecom operators obtaining unjustified economic benefits; and establish an alternative method for labeling calls—through the centralized Antifraud platform.

"This initiative doesn't stand up to scrutiny—banks are looking for a loophole to circumvent the ban on spam calls by offering to treat themselves like government agencies," T2 operator noted.

Telecom operators rejected the initiative, believing that such an approach would lead to chaos and lack of transparency in the industry. Banks were accused of trying to sell their products at any cost, even if the client had opted out of mass calls. The proposal will be considered during the second reading of the "Antifraud 2.0" bill.

09:00 03/10/2026

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.

Fewer clients – Russians' debt to microfinance organizations has decreased amid industry transformation

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Mainfin Bank –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Image: mainfin.ru

What changes have the greatest impact on the work of microfinance organizations?

Concerned about the high debt burden of the population, the Bank of Russia has been implementing reforms in the microfinance sector for several years. The most significant changes affect microfinance organizations in 2025 and 2026:

In 2025, restrictions on issuing loans to microfinance organizations will be tightened loans Clients with high debt burdens; a "cooling-off period" has been introduced for loan and credit applications—this change affects both banks and microfinance organizations (MFOs); starting in 2026, the approach to assessing borrowers' solvency has changed—MFOs can no longer rely on credit history; clients must request proof of income; starting March 1, remote loan issuance is only possible using biometrics—this measure is intended to help combat fraud; starting in April of this year, the maximum overpayment on a microloan will be 100% of the debt amount (currently, the limit is 130%); in October, the rule of issuing one loan per client is planned to begin—lending will initially be limited to clients with two active contracts.

Overall, the industry is seeing a trend toward stricter regulation. However, microfinance companies are attempting to circumvent legal provisions. For example, marketplaces have been caught substituting concepts: instead of a loan agreement with a client, they issue an agency agreement. Such a transaction is possible even if a self-imposed loan ban has been established through Gosuslugi.

How is the microfinance services market undergoing a transformation?

Tighter regulations and the introduction of increased surcharges have led to a contraction of microloan portfolios in microfinance organizations. Thus, in 2025, microfinance companies reported the following performance results:

The total loan portfolio of microfinance organizations decreased by 1.1% in the fourth quarter; the portfolio of companies issuing loans offline decreased by 7.2% over the same period, and by 10.4% over the year; new loans from microfinance organizations began to be issued more frequently – in the fourth quarter, the increase was 6.4%, over the year – more than 11%, the value of such agreements was 380 billion rubles; a decline was also observed in the banking microfinance organization segment – the decline over the quarter exceeded 3.2%.

"The microfinance services market is undergoing a transformation—MFIs are trying to adapt to legislative changes and are choosing clients with great caution," experts note.

The microloan segment is expected to experience a traditional seasonal lull in the first months of 2026. However, analysts also predict a decline by mid-year, largely due to the requirement to use biometrics when reviewing client applications. To avoid this requirement, many microfinance institutions (MFIs) are changing their status to microcredit credit companies (MCCs): for the latter, mandatory biometrics will only be introduced in March 2027, allowing businesses a brief grace period.

09:35 03.03.2026

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.