The Bank of Russia announced on Apr. 9 that the amount of incoming payments processed through its system dropped by 8.1 percent in March compared to the average for the fourth quarter of 2025, with overall receipts falling by five percent during the first quarter of 2026.
This trend is significant as it highlights ongoing changes in financial flows across sectors, particularly those oriented toward exports. The decline has been mainly attributed to export-focused industries, while only sectors linked to investment demand showed growth in receipts.
The Bank said that an increase in global prices for key export commodities seen in March is expected to affect payment volumes with a lag, likely becoming more evident during the second quarter. The institution also released a new issue of its review titled “Monitoring of Sectoral Financial Flows,” providing further details on these trends.
According to the official website, the Bank of Russia documented cash in circulation reaching 18.6 trillion rubles as part of its currency management according to the official website. The central bank serves as the sole issuer of the Russian ruble and manages national cash circulation according to the official website.
The Bank operates as a legally independent entity with federal property and exercises monetary authority independently from other government bodies according to the official website. Its stated goals include promoting financial and price stability and fostering a competitive financial market according to the official website. Leadership at the institution consists of a governor, deputy governors, and specialized departments according to the official website.
The Bank regularly publishes documents such as annual reports and financial analyses for public access according to the official website, which provide additional context on sectoral developments.
