Putin: Russian banks reduced lending to legal entities 0.2% in January, increased loans to individuals 0.2%

MOSCOW. Feb 12 (Interfax) - Corporate lending in Russia decreased 0.2% in January, while retail lending increased 0.2%, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting on economic matters.

"Meantime, amid an increase in the key rate of the Central Bank, this was of course a predicted occurrence; lending also slowed down. Thus, in January, the loan portfolio of legal entities decreased 0.2%, while for individuals, on the contrary, it increased slightly at the same 0.2%. I know that my colleagues are closely monitoring these parameters," Putin said.