Russian Central Bank Governor Nabiullina analyzes unfair practice of marketplaces offering discounts to buyers using proprietary bankcards

MOSCOW. Oct 28 (Interfax) - The practice of marketplaces offering more favorable terms and conditions to purchasers using proprietary bankcards distorts the free market, Central Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina said.

"This is currently one of the most pressing matters under discussion regarding banks and platforms, as banks that sell proprietary financial services cannot, for example, provide the option to pay with a specific bank's card and set a different price. Platforms can, though this is not entirely fair competition," Nabiullina said in the State Duma.

The Central Bank, banks, and marketplaces are discussing amendments to the law on digital platforms that would ensure equal access for financial institutions to operate on platforms or standardize transfer conditions.

Russian Central Bank Deputy Governor Alexei Guznov in September said that it was important that the regulator ensure non-discriminatory access for banks on digital platforms.

"Meantime, all the methods by which a financial institution ensures customer loyalty and acquisition, namely cashback, certain loyalty programs, and so on, should not be negated, regardless of how or on what basis this connection operates between the platform and the bank," Guznov said during the International Banking Forum.

"There are several proposals on this matter. These include proposals to limit the availability or pricing of goods offered on the platform depending on the payment method used or to be used by clients. This is one possible option. A second possible option is to provide information on the terms of loyalty programs established by banks for their cards, based on general rules, and also, perhaps, to ensure a certain degree of unification, not uniformity, in the contractual terms of such banks' transfer services," he added.

Guznov said that the banking community and platform representatives would be able to develop consolidated proposals this fall to clarify the parameters of the adopted law.

Ozon last week invited banks to participate in the marketplace's Green Price loyalty program, which initially offered discounts for purchases with Ozon Bank cards. The company said that the discount level on products offered by cards from various participating banks would be the same, and any bank could join the program on commercial terms.

The State Duma passed the bill on the platform economy on July 22, and it entered into force on October 1, 2026. The law regulates relations between operators of intermediary digital platforms, their partners, and users in connection with the sale of goods, performance of work, and provision of services.