Banking Regulation Review: 2025 Q1 results and future plans
The Bank of Russia updated the methodology for classifying credit institutions as systemically important. It will help arrange systemically important credit institutions (SICIs) based on their impact on the economy and differentiate capital buffers. The approach is to come into force in 2027, and differentiated buffers for capital adequacy ratios will be introduced stepwise from 2028.
The regulator published updated parameters of the risk-sensitive limit (RSL) to regulate investment in immobilised assets. The RSL is expected to come into effect in October 2026 but will be introduced according to the schedule within five years.
The Bank of Russia released an information letter allowing banks not to downgrade the quality categories of corporate loans restructured in 2024 H2 and in 2025. This decision applies only to the borrowers facing hardships who have the potential to restore their solvency.
By the end of 2025 Q2, the regulator plans to:
— Publish updated approaches to regulating the funding of concession projects. Banks will be able to factor in the ability of the state, a constituent territory, or a municipality (a public partner) to repay loans if this is provided for by a direct concession agreement. This will help mitigate the risk weight for such loans to
— Draft a regulation for discussion updating approaches to the assessment of the credit risk of borrowers that are developers. Risks will be differentiated depending on the stage of construction, the success criteria for construction projects will be increased, and the financial standing of the group to which a borrower that is a developer belongs will be taken into account. Furthermore, if a developer offers an instalment plan for housing, this fact will be taken into consideration when assessing the credit risks inherent in the project. The innovations may come into force in October 2026.
Details are available in the quarterly Banking Regulation Review.