The Central Bank of Russia has published its review of the pawnshop market for 2025, showing that lending activity increased faster than the customer base. The number of concluded agreements rose 13% year on year to 19 million, while the number of clients increased 3% to 2.16 million by the end of 2025, indicating that growth was driven mainly by existing long-term customers borrowing to meet urgent needs. The review also notes that, from 1 April 2026, the maximum effective rate on consumer loans issued by pawnshops was cut from 130% to 100% of the loan amount. The data show that pawnshop loans are usually repaid by borrowers rather than through the sale of collateral. Only 15% of loans are repaid from the proceeds of unredeemed assets, while 85% are settled by borrowers themselves, and if a debt is not repaid the collateral is sold after a grace period with the debt then deemed fully repaid. Nearly 95% of pawnshop loans are secured by jewellery, and the average loan amount against that collateral rose from RUB 21,000 to RUB 27,000 in 2025 as gold prices increased by nearly a quarter over the year.
Central Bank of Russia2026-05-27
Central Bank of Russia reports 13% rise in pawnshop loan agreements in 2025 and lower total payment cap from April 2026
The Central Bank of Russia’s 2025 pawnshop market review reports lending volumes grew faster than the customer base, with agreements up 13% to 19 million and clients up 3% to 2.16 million, driven mainly by repeat borrowers. From 1 April 2026, the maximum effective rate on consumer loans issued by pawnshops was cut from 130% to 100% of the loan amount. The review notes that 85% of loans are repaid, nearly 95% are secured by jewellery, and the average loan size rose from RUB 21,000 to RUB 27,000 in 2025.