From the autumn of 2025, a limit on the number of bank cards per person will come into force in Russia. The limit will be 20 cards per person and no more than five cards in one bank. This was announced by the head of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, Anatoly Aksakov. The initiative was proposed by the Central Bank to combat fraudsters using droppers to withdraw stolen funds.
Currently, there are no legislative restrictions on the number of cards issued in Russia. Banks set their own rules. Customers can choose the most advantageous offers from different financial organizations. However, according to experts, having more than eight cards may not be practical. Banks often change the terms of service, and customers may not keep up with these changes.
According to the Central Bank, 515,000 cards were issued in Russia last year. On average, there are three to four cards per person. At the same time, about 0.5% of customers have more than 20 active cards. The new rules may affect several hundred thousand citizens, but for most bona fide customers, they will not create significant inconvenience, experts believe.
Some banks already have their own restrictions. For example, Sovcombank allows up to five cards to be issued, and Absolut Bank allows no more than five cards, including virtual and credit cards. Experts believe that the new rules will require time to adapt banking systems and integrate with credit bureaus to control the number of cards.
Thus, the introduction of a limit on bank cards may help in the fight against fraud, but will also require a review of customer habits and adaptation of banks to the new conditions.
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