12:37 - 2.03.2026

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March 2, Fineko/abc.az. The Russian financial market is undergoing changes: the tightening of the Bank of Russia's macroprudential policy has led banks to turn away the most over-indebted citizens.

ABC.AZ informs that these borrowers have massively turned to pawnshops, where they do not check income and credit history, and the main condition is the availability of liquid collateral - most often gold.

According to Expert RA, the average rate in pawnshops in the third quarter of 2025 was 88% (above 40% for banks, but below 236% for MFIs). The portfolio of unsecured consumer loans in banks decreased by 9% per year, in MFIs it increased by 23%, and in pawnshops - by 30%.

Experts warn of the risks: a "debt funnel", the loss of mortgaged property and activation of illegal creditors masquerading as pawnshops.