Banks raised credit card limits for the first time since autumn – Kommersant

In February, the average limit on credit cards increased by 3.4% after four months of decline – to 96.6 thousand rubles. This data is provided by RBC with reference to Scoring Bureau statistics.

Since September last year, the indicator has lost 12.2% from the maximum value of 106.4 thousand rubles. Then the Central Bank tightened macroprudential surcharges for banks on loans with a high debt ratio (DLR). From January 1, 2024, the limits for banks were cut again.

In addition to increasing the limits, the volume of credit cards issued also increased: in February, Russian banks issued 2.08 million credit cards to individuals with a limit of 200.8 billion rubles. Over the month, issues in quantitative terms increased by 5.1%, in monetary terms – by 8.6%. In annual terms, the volume of funds on credit cards increased by 20%, and the number of cards by 11.4%. According to the Scoring Bureau, in February the issuance of not only credit cards, but also consumer loans increased: compared to January, their volume increased by 22.9%, to 498.9 billion rubles.

From July to December, the Central Bank raised the key rate from 7.5 to 16%. Last month, the regulator kept the rate at 16%. Experts expect the rate to remain unchanged following the Central Bank meeting on March 22.

Read more about the situation in the lending market in the material “The cost of loans was given full speed ahead”.