Economist Glukhova explained the new credit rules from April 2026

In Russia, the conditions for issuing consumer loans have tightened, which is why banks reject over 80% of citizens' applications, and the rejection rate in microfinance institutions has reached its maximum since 2022. This was announced on April 26 by economist Elvira Glukhova.

According to her, the changes are related to the effective Instruction of the Central Bank No. 7286-U, which adjusted the calculation of the debt burden indicator (PD). This index reflects the share of monthly loan payments relative to the average borrower's income. PD over 50% is now regarded by banks as a serious risk factor.

Glukhova notes that previously financial organizations could count almost any receipts to the card into the client's income. Now, an account statement is only suitable for confirming wages, pensions, social benefits, or rental income.

She added that funds received from part-time jobs, bank interest or from relatives now need to be confirmed with separate certificates. In addition, the Bank of Russia stopped adopting internal methods of banks that allowed overestimating the income of salary clients based on their expenses.

"If money from part-time work, interest on deposits or transfers from relatives falls on the card, they will have to be supported by separate documents. For example, a certificate of income on deposits or securities," she said in an interview with the Prime agency.

The new rules also affected individual entrepreneurs. Starting from April 1, income cannot be certified with documents that the sole proprietor wrote out for himself. Only tax returns and the income and expense book are accepted for consideration.

The expert also recalled that from July 1, the simplified scheme for confirming solvency will cease to operate. Previously, banks could rely on the income claimed by the borrower, comparing it with the average per capita figures of Rosstat in a particular region.

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