In 2026, Russian courts began to more often oblige banks to return money to borrowers in exchange for a reduction in the payment of loan rates, Izvestia writes. Lawyers explain that the rate is an essential condition of the contract, and not a separate service, and therefore the courts recognize the fees for changing it as a hidden interest and a violation of the consumer's rights. In April 2024, the central bank already advised credit institutions to refuse to charge such fees.