The introduction of the digital ruble could reduce bank revenues by 50 billion rubles annually. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from Novgorod State University. Natalia Kanishcheva, Victoria Tsvetkova, and Andrey Tsvetkov studied the consequences of switching to a new form of currency.
The digital ruble is an electronic analogue of cash and non-cash money issued by the Central Bank. It works without the Internet, which is convenient for residents of remote regions. But banks may face problems. When using the digital ruble, customers do not pay commissions for transfers, and businesses spend a minimum on transactions. This will reduce the profits of credit institutions. At the same time, the digital ruble has disadvantages for users and advantages for banks. Thus, a digital wallet does not serve as a means of saving; it is only necessary for transactions between accounts. Consequently, citizens will not be able to receive interest or cashback. In this sense, ordinary accounts and cards are significantly better.
Compared to cash, it is a more convenient method of payment. The difference from payment from a bank account is that you can pay for a purchase offline with a digital ruble. Users do not need the Internet, which is most important for residents of small settlements. For Russia, the introduction of such an innovation is a big step in the development of financial systems. However, the market has yet to go through a period of adaptation.
Small banks will be at risk. Some may close due to loss of liquidity. Large players will be able to reorient themselves to new services: mortgages, social payments, car loans. For example, "children's" rubles for school meals can bring up to 60 billion rubles a year.
A good example is the introduction of "children's" rubles, which can be spent on food at school, but cannot be spent on gaming platforms. RBC experts estimated that such operations could bring commercial banks at least 60 billion rubles a year.
Experts predict a decrease in bank revenues by 50 billion rubles annually. This trend may lead to a decrease in the level of liquidity and threaten the financial condition of banks.
Earlier www1.ru reported that the head of Sberbank, German Gref, does not see the point in the digital ruble.
Read more materials on the topic:
Last of the Mohicans: UnionPay cards from ATB remain the only working ones for Russians in Europe
The State Duma adopted a law on the mass introduction of the digital ruble from September 1, 2026