CBR to make distribution of macroprudential limits more flexible
MOSCOW. Aug 19 (Interfax) - The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) wants to introduce intersecting intervals for loan characteristics used to set macroprudential limits (MPL) so that destimulation of the riskiest lending does not lead to a decline in overall lending.
The CBR has posted draft changes to its order No. 6993-U, which describes the types of credit and loans for which MPLs can be set, on its website.
The changes allow for the possibility of setting MPLs on an "included" basis. This approach will enable the CBR to still restrict the share of the riskiest loans, but banks and payday lenders will be able to independently decide whether it makes sense for them to increase the share of less risky loans by reducing the share of riskier loans.
The CBR's press service told Interfax that loan characteristics for the purposes of setting MPLs are now determined by successive intervals. For example, there are two intervals for the characteristic of "debt burden ratio" (DBR): the first is from 50% to 80% and the second is over 80%.
"The new procedure proposes to establish included, or intersecting, intervals. With respect to DBR, for example, there can be one broad interval, within which there is a narrower interval, such as DBR 'over 50%, including DBR over 80%.' Such an approach would enable banks to maintain the previous amount of lending, but issue fewer loans to borrowers with a DBR of more than 80%," the CBR said.
The changes also allow banks to exclude loans issued for repayment of debt to other banks or payday lenders from the calculation of MPLs given compliance with a number of conditions. Such an option currently exists for loans to refinance credit originally provided by the bank or payday lender themselves.
This change will enable borrowers with already high debt burdens to refinance loans at other banks if this reduces their debt burden, the CBR said.
The CBR has also detailed criteria according to which loans will be classified as secured or unsecured. The clarifications are intended to address banks' questions about which category to put the loan in if there are different types of security or when a loan is provided to refinance several different loans, such as when an unsecured consumer loan is provided to refinance both an unsecured consumer loan and an auto loan, the CBR said.
The document is expected to enter into force upon the expiration of 10 days after the day of its official publication, but not earlier than January 1, 2026. Comments on the draft regulatory act are expected until August 31, 2025.
The CBR began to use MPLs in 2023 to influence the structure of unsecured consumer lending. In 2025, it secured the power to use MPLs in mortgage lending and auto financing.
MPLs are used to reduce direct and indirect losses on a loan portfolio, particularly in periods of stress, and reduce the number of borrowers that could run into problems servicing their debt. The limits reduce the share of loans with high credit risk issued in a quarter. Restricting the share of risky loans issued as the portfolio is updated ultimately improves the structure of the loan portfolio.
