- The Bank of Russia’s tight monetary policy, with a key interest rate of 21%, reportedly increased net interest margins for lenders.
- The bank’s net interest income grew by 11% to 6.7 trillion roubles, but rising borrowing costs are starting to slow lending growth.
Russia’s banking sector enjoyed a historic year in 2024, raking in 4 trillion roubles ($40.7 billion) in profits. According to a Reuters report, the financial rebound, fueled by high interest rates and strong loan demand, pushed earnings to unprecedented levels.
However, as borrowing costs rise and regulatory pressures mount, the sector may face headwinds in the coming year. The Bank of Russia’s tight monetary policy, with a key interest rate set at 21%, reportedly bolstered lenders’ net interest margins.
The bank’s net interest income surged 11% to 6.7 trillion roubles. Despite this, lending growth is beginning to slow as steep borrowing costs deter companies from taking out loans for expansion, opting instead to hold funds in deposits. While loan growth remained positive, the pace of expansion decelerated in key segments. Corporate lending grew 17.9% in 2024, but the non-performing loan (NPL) volume also rose by 4.1%.
The mortgage market saw the steepest decline, with loan growth dropping to 12.4% from 34.5% in 2023. New mortgage issuance plummeted by nearly 40% to 4.9 trillion roubles, reflecting the strain of high rates on the housing sector.
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Regulation And Credit Risks
Despite the record-breaking earnings, Russian banks are bracing for tougher conditions in 2025. The central bank has already warned that profit margins will likely shrink due to rising credit risks and tighter regulations.
Russia’s economy has been propped up by soaring government spending on the conflict in Ukraine, which has fueled growth but also intensified inflationary pressures. The central bank responded with aggressive rate hikes, pushing interest rates to their highest level in over 20 years.
The Russian banking sector’s record-breaking year may not be easy to replicate. With credit risks rising and regulations tightening, lenders must navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape. While high rates have provided a temporary earnings boost, slowing loan demand and growing economic pressures could define the road ahead.
