In the Krasnodar region during April, a decrease of 49% was observed in the issuance of auto loans.
Russian Regions: Auto Loan Trends in April 2025
In April 2025, the Russian regions with the highest volume of auto loans were Moscow (9.3 billion rubles), Moscow Oblast (8.4 billion rubles), St. Petersburg (5.7 billion rubles), Krasnodar Krai (5 billion rubles), and the Republic of Tatarstan (4.9 billion rubles). Meanwhile, significant decreases were recorded in Krasnoyarsk Krai (-58%), Tula (-56%), Rostov (-54%), Omsk (-54%), and Novosibirsk (-54%) Oblasts.
According to NBKI Marketing Director Alexey Volkov, the sharp decline in auto loan issuance in the latter half of 2024 was primarily due to rising market rates, increased recycling fees, and the implementation of macroprudential restrictions on lending to citizens with high debt-to-income ratios (over 50%). These restrictions made auto loans inaccessible to a considerable number of citizens.
However, the situation somewhat stabilized in 2025, with a slight improvement in auto loan issuance over the last few months. This improvement can be attributed to a reduction in auto loan costs due to a shift towards more affordable vehicles and subsidies from automakers.
In the broader economic context, the Russian automotive sector continued to face challenges, with a decline in truck sales caused by high interest rates and reduced demand for road freight. Additionally, the closure of truck operators and the return of financed vehicles added to the sector's woes.
While there was a slight increase in car loan issuance in April 2025 compared to March, the overall volume had almost halved compared to April 2024, reaching 100.6 billion rubles. This decrease was observed across various regions, with significant drops in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Tula, Rostov, Omsk, and Novosibirsk, among others.
The factors contributing to the decrease in auto loan issuance during 2024 were economic uncertainty resulting from high interest rates and international sanctions, automotive sector challenges such as supply chain disruptions and low demand, the halt of certain government subsidy programs, and the impact of geopolitical tensions.
[Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4]
The finance industry witnessed a reduction in auto loan issuance in regions like Krasnoyarsk Krai, Tula, Rostov, Omsk, and Novosibirsk, averaging a decrease of 54% in these areas by April 2025. Despite the decrease, the transportation sector experienced a modest improvement with a shift towards more affordable vehicles and subsidies, lowering the cost of auto loans.
