Experts predicted a decline in bank profits in 2025

In 2025, the profit of the banking sector will fall to Br3.4-3.6 trillion due to the slowdown in lending and growth of allocations to reserves for bad debts. This is stated in the review of the rating agency "Expert RA", which was read by "Izvestia" on February 25.

"We expect a slowdown in credit activity of both business and households due to the continued high cost of new borrowings, limited volume of preferential support, as well as the continued tightening of macroprudential regulation in retail. Nevertheless, stabilization of the key rate at the current level, as well as its possible reduction closer to the end of the year will allow banks to maintain the net interest margin at the current level - over 4%," the document says.

Experts noted that in 2024 the banking sector showed a record in profit, earning Br3.8 trillion. There was an increase in lending in all segments of the market. At the same time, banks showed adaptability to changing conditions and managed to keep net interest margin at 4.4%, which led to a significant increase in net interest income in the sector.

"A significant positive contribution to the financial result of banks also had a low level of allocations to reserves: COR on the loan portfolio last year amounted to 0.9%, which was lower than the figure of 1% recorded in 2023," - specified in the review.

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