The Central Bank of Russia reported that microfinance organizations issued RUB 490 billion in microloans in the second quarter of 2026, while consumer lending continued to decline. Firms increased the share of medium and long-term consumer microloans to retain higher-quality borrowers. Short-term microloan volumes fell amid borrower income verification requirements and an upcoming limit on the number of expensive microloans a borrower may hold simultaneously. Microfinance organizations also expanded loans with credit limits, similar to credit cards, to retain customers for longer.
2026-09-23Central Bank of Russia
Central Bank of Russia reports RUB 490 billion in second-quarter microloans as consumer lending declines
The Central Bank of Russia reported RUB 490 billion in microloans issued in the second quarter of 2026, despite a continued decline in consumer lending. Firms shifted toward longer-term loans and credit limit products, while short-term lending fell amid income verification requirements and an upcoming cap on simultaneously outstanding expensive microloans.