In the first half of the year, complaints about sanctions represented a notable share of calls received by the Central Bank. The regulator shared that during January through June, it processed about 198.5 thousand inquiries from financial services customers and investors, a rise of roughly 36 percent from the same period a year earlier. The surge was largely attributed to the impact of sanctions on daily operations at banks and other financial institutions, a factor that colored many discussions and complaints during these six months.
Among the clients voicing the strongest concerns were individuals dealing with banks and brokerage firms. The central bank recorded more than 33 thousand sanctions-related complaints, which accounted for 16.7 percent of the total volume for the six-month window. This subset highlights a clear focus among consumers on how sanctions affected routine financial activities and service access.
Observers from the Chamber noted that the core themes of dissatisfaction centered on hurdles in foreign currency transfers, added charges tied to foreign currency accounts, and difficulties withdrawing funds from foreign currency deposits. These issues reflect the practical friction that sanctions and related regulatory measures introduced to cross-border financial flows and account management.
When sanctions were not in play, the central bank observed a modest decline in overall complaints about banks, with reductions of about five percent in the January-June period. This contrast underscores the significant effect that external policy actions can have on customer experience and trust in financial services during periods of geopolitical stress.
Since the onset of Russia’s broader actions in Ukraine, a number of countries have imposed sustained sanctions. The resulting constraints have notably affected lenders such as VTB, Otkritie, Sovcombank, Promsvyazbank, and Novikombank, which have faced heightened scrutiny and operational pressures. These developments fed into the pattern of customer concerns that reached the central bank for review and guidance.
Overall, the central bank made clear that while sanctions dominated much of the six-month period, the institution remains focused on processing complaints efficiently, assessing the underlying issues, and supporting the stability of the financial system. The data illuminate how policy moves influence everyday banking experiences and the ways institutions respond to shifting compliance requirements. The regulator emphasized ongoing monitoring and communication with financial institutions to mitigate service disruptions and preserve consumer confidence during periods of tense international dynamics.
As economic and political environments continue to evolve, analysts and industry observers expect the central bank to keep a close eye on how sanctions interact with consumer protection, market access, and the reliability of payment systems. The objective remains to balance security concerns with the smooth functioning of financial services for residents and investors alike, while ensuring that responses to sanctions are transparent and proportionate to the risks involved. (Source: Central Bank press service)