FAS fined Alfa-Bank three times for placing inappropriate advertising

The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has fined Alfa Bank three times for placing inappropriate advertising, the FAS press service reported on February 4.

"The organization distributed on the air of federal TV channels advertising about free service and cash withdrawal in any ATMs of Alfa Bank, as well as an annual interest-free period on credit cards. The information in the explanatory footnotes was placed in a difficult-to-understand way for a short period of time," the FAS specified.

In the radio and TV channels there was an advertisement about a 30% cashback in the service "Refueling" in the bank's application. The commercials lacked some essential information about the maximum amount of its receipt and did not inform that the action applies only to the first spending transaction.

According to the agency, this prevented consumers from receiving the information necessary for an informed choice about all the terms and conditions of financial services.

In addition, citizens complained to the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service about a TV commercial for a mobile application that contained an incorrect comparison. The commercial stated: "It happens that you expect an ordinary banking application, but you get the best. Alfa Bank is the best mobile bank. Not just favorable, Alfa-beneficial." At the same time, there were no objective comparison criteria.

Such advertising may mislead consumers and contribute to the bank gaining unjustified advantages in relation to competitors' offers. The Service recognized the organization's advertising as inappropriate and issued orders to eliminate violations. The agency imposed fines on the bank for placing inappropriate advertising.

In 2024, the FAS of Russia initiated 55 cases against Alfa-Bank for violations of the Advertising Law. The total amount of fines imposed exceeded 23 million rubles.

Earlier, on January 13, FAS fined Alfa Bank for improper advertising campaign with Yandex Food. It was reported that the joint advertising was distributed on the air of federal TV channels. The video contained attractive information for consumers about the accrual of a 50% cashback when paying for an order in the service "Yandex" any card of the bank. Earlier, the service recognized Alfa Bank's and Yandex Food's advertising as inappropriate and issued the companies with instructions to cease violating the federal law "On Advertising".