Massive Closure Of Bank Branches Has Begun In Russia

• 20.02.2026, 9:58

Ukrainian intelligence has learned the details.

Nearly 1,700 bank branches will close in Russia in 2025, which is 3.6 times more than in 2024. This trend will continue in 2026, writes the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

According to the SVR, Russian banks had 22,300 branches at the beginning of 2026. Due to structural problems in the economy, Russian financial institutions are forced to continue reducing the number of their representative offices.

This process is explained by "digitalization and the transition of staff to remote work." Sberbank of the Russian Federation has been hit hardest by structural problems. It closed more than 900 branches in 2025. This is 2 times more than in 2024.

Bank branches in small settlements are the most affected, which negatively affects the local economy. SVR recalled that a similar situation in Russia with a large number of bank branch closures was observed in 2021 during the coronavirus epidemic. Then banks were forced to limit work with the population due to quarantine.

It should be noted that in 2025 the Russian banking system has lost the main signs of stability, this indicates the beginning of the banking crisis. Last year, the net profit of Russian banks fell by 8% compared to 2024 - to $45 billion.

At the same time, the return on equity of Russian financial institutions fell to 18%. In 2025, the part of bad loans of Russian banks increased to 11%, and for loans that are not secured by anything - up to 12%. This indicates a deterioration in the quality of the loan portfolio.