Russian courts began to more often oblige banks to return commissions for reducing loan rates.
In Russia, the number of court decisions in favor of borrowers challenging fees for reductions paid in interest on loans has increased. In some cases, customers manage not only to return the funds paid, but also to keep the reduced rate after refusing additional service.
Similar disputes were registered with Sberbank, VTB, Alfa Bank, Gazprombank, Subcombank and OTP Bank.
Pen & Paper lawyer, Anna Lysenko, explains that the interest rate is an essential condition in the loan agreement, and not an independent service. In some cases, the courts see the addition of the fee for its change as hidden interest and a violation of the consumer's rights.
In 2024, the Supreme Court pointed to the inadmissibility of a unilateral interest rate increase after the borrower refused paid options. The Bank of Russia also advised credit institutions to abandon such practices.