Russia

Russian banking sector’s resilience to sanctions raises no concerns

TASS English · 2026-08-28

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: The Russian banking sector reported record profits for the first half of the year, with State Duma Financial Market Committee Chairman Anatoly Aksakov stating that its resilience to sanctions is based on financial performance rather than the number of institutions on sanctions lists. • Why it matters: This indicates that the Russian banking sector is adapting effectively to sanctions and market polarization, suggesting a potential stability in the financial system despite external pressures. • What to watch next: Observers should monitor how smaller banks adapt to market challenges and whether the overall profitability trend continues in the second half of the year.

Eastern Economic ForumRussian banking sector’s resilience to sanctions raises no concerns State Duma Financial Market Committee Chairman Anatoly Aksakov highlighted that the banking sector had ended the first half of the year with record profitsMOSCOW, August 28. /TASS/. The resilience of Russia’s banking sector is not a cause for concern, as it is determined not by the number of institutions on sanctions lists but by their actual financial performance, State Duma Financial Market Committee Chairman Anatoly Aksakov told TASS in an interview ahead of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF). "The resilience of the Russian banking sector is determined not by the number of credit institutions on sanctions lists, but by its actual financial performance and its ability to adapt its payment infrastructure - and in terms of these parameters, we have no reason for serious concern," he said. Aksakov also noted that the banking sector ended the first half of the year with record profits despite increasing polarization in the market. "The banking sector ended the first half of the year with record profits, although the market has become somewhat polarized: major players are growing stronger, while smaller institutions may find it increasingly difficult to secure funding and generate income," he said. However, according to Aksakov, small banks can operate successfully by specializing and drawing on their in-depth knowledge of local markets. He also emphasized that Russia has systematically reduced its dependence on European infrastructure. TagsEastern Economic ForumARCTIC TODAYParliament's support for Arctic demonstrates new approach to North's developmentMore than 1,000 Arctic projects are worth more than $407 billion investmentRead moreRussian, US intel chiefs on good terms, talk regularly — TrumpThe US president downplayed Ratcliffe’s recent trip to Moscow, calling it "routine"Read moreLukashenko heads to Russia on working visit — BelTAThe heads of state may discuss the key areas of cooperation and pressing issues on the regional and international agenda, including securityRead moreWhite House remains silent on Europe’s remarks about ‘burial’ of Anchorage — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister said that the Europeans, alongside with Vladimir Zelensky, made a year-long lobbying effort before these statements were madeRead moreRussian Foreign Ministry blames Mladic’s death on those who denied humane treatment to himIRMCT President Graciela Gatti Santana repeatedly denied humanitarian release "to the bedridden, terminally ill man," the ministry notedRead moreRescue of 9 Russian soldiers from ‘shadow captivity’ in Ukraine: statement by ombudswomanAccording to Yana Lantratova, Russian servicemen spend several months in torture cells before being transferred to general captivityRead moreRostec increases tank ammunition production 50-fold since start of special opAcording to the state corporation, the production of combat fighter jets have been doubled and the production of artillery ammunition has been increased 20-foldRead moreSix EU countries call for hundreds of billions of euros in cuts to new EU budgetThe statement emphasized that the European Union should make clear choices and reprioritize within the budgetRead moreRussia launches mass production of Volna Kupol Garant EW system — defense sourceAccording to the source, the Volna has become a factor affecting not only the special military operation zone, but also having global influenceRead moreRussian Deputy PM lays out objectives of new economic subcommissionThe resilience of the sectors will be assessed by the subcommission through the lens of existing risks and damage incurred, Denis Manturov saidRead moreWoman seriously wounded during drone attack on Sevastopol — governorAccording to Mikhail Razvozhayev, a drone struck a section of a five-story residential buildingRead moreRussia develops range of turrets, tripods for anti-UAV mobile armed unitsThe equipment is designed for the stable mounting of machine guns on a vehicle platform or directly on the groundRead moreHersh says FBI caught Israeli agent installing surveillance devices at Epstein apartmentAccording to the journalist, US intelligence agencies may have concluded after the agent’s detention that Israel was aware of Epstein’s client list and the potential value of compromising materialRead moreUS Open men’s draw pits Russian Safiullin against defending champ Alcaraz in openerAndrey Rublev will begin the tourney against Croatia’s Marin CilicRead moreAt least 43 Russians killed in Ukraine’s attacks on buses — diplomatRodion Miroshnik says more than 300 people were wounded, including 17 minors, since the start of 2026Read moreWest’s aggression against Russia played role in BRICS expansion — SVR headAccording to Sergey Naryshkin, the unifying potential of BRICS has grown significantly since the ideas of neocolonial dominance were revealed to the world in all their unattractive formRead moreUEFA not to back Infantino’s candidacy if he runs for another FIFA presidential termThe FIFA presidential election will take place in March 2027 in RabatRead moreUS Geological Survey to rename Lake Ontario in its official documentsAccording to the White House, the change has been made official in the Geographic Names Information SystemRead moreDeath toll in Nepalese floods rises to 469 — police1,545 people have been wounded and rescuedRead moreRussia successfully countering Starlink system used by Ukrainian forces — newspaperAccording to the Ukrainian serviceman, Russian electronic warfare systems are not blocking Starlink completely, but they are reducing its effectivenessRead morePress review: SDF plans dissolution in Syria as Bangladesh invited to join Mecca pactTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 27thRead moreMoscow issued no ultimatums to Washington about its role in Kiev’s strikes — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister said Moscow had a question, as information is leaked to the Western media on how exactly the administration of Donald Trump, is helping Ukraine with financial aid, weapons and intelligenceRead moreMerchant ship sinks in Romania’s exclusive economic zone in Black SeaAll 12 people on board were rescued, the coast guards saidRead moreForeign ministers to hold meeting on Iran in Istanbul on Sunday — mediaThe ministers will discuss ways to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the regional security situationRead moreSanctions could split off Russian crypto market from global benchmarks — Finam headThis factor could make the Russian market extremely appealing, Vladislav Kochetkov saidRead moreRoyal Navy commander says UK-led coalition may replace NATO in northern EuropeThe Joint Expeditionary Force provides a political flexibility to respond to crises because consensus among all ten nations is not required, General Gwyn Jenkins saidRead moreIsrael won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — NetanyahuThe Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"Read morePeriod of early parliamentary vote begins in several Russian regionsDonbass, Novorossia, and eight other border regions will have the option of holding an early vote on their territory for security reasonsRead moreSyrian president appoints Kurdish leader his adviserMazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, announced on August 25 that the military force will be dissolved and integrated with the Syrian armyRead morePatriot missile shortage in Europe reaches 'beyond critical' level — mediaThe Associated Press linked the situation primarily to the transfer of US missile stocks from Europe to the Middle East amid the US war with Iran Read moreCIA head, Vatican diplomacy chief visited Russia to talk — foreign ministerSergey Lavrov briefly commented on the visit by John Ratcliffe and Paul Richard Gallagher "on the very same day" Read moreWest systematically targets Russian intelligentsia — MFAMaria Zakharova also noted that Kiev’s neo-Nazi ideology is manifesting itself in the academic sphereRead moreLake Ontario got its name before US independence and will keep it — Canadian PMMark Carney said Canadians know "that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario"Read moreForeign military contingents in Ukraine to be Russia’s legitimate targets — diplomatMaria Zakharova said the responsibility for this will fall on Western politiciansRead moreRussia adds over 100 mln carats to diamond reserves since start of yearHead of Rosnedra Oleg Kazanov noted that reserve additions are driven not only by new deposits but by additional geological exploration and the reassessment of existing depositsRead moreTrump's 'miscalculations' throw Middle East into chaos — Iranian parliament speakerMohammad Ghalibaf also expressed confidence that the US economic blockade of Iran "would yield no results"Read moreRussia destroys Ukraine’s infrastructure capable of producing SCALP missiles — expertSergey Lipovoy noted that even if Kiev manages to assemble them somewhere using available components, "it is not a given that these missiles will be fully controllable"Read moreUEFA prepares to initiate criminal proceedings against FIFA chief Infantino — journalistGianni Infantino announced a proposal on July 30 to sell a share of the FIFA World Cup commercial rights to private investorsRead moreRussia’s SVR chief confirms he met CIA director in MoscowSergey Naryshkin said there is nothing unusual to itRead moreSome 50,000 US troops deployed in Middle East — US CENTCOMAdmiral Bradley Cooper added that since the the Strait of Hormuz blockade was resumed in mid-July, it has been maintained by over 20 US warshipsRead moreKiev unwilling to settle conflict peacefully, Russia continues special op — KremlinDmitry Peskov said the Kiev side knows Moscow's demands perfectly wellRead moreCIA Director's visit to Russia demonstrates importance of dialogue amid conflicts — expertRuslan Pankratov said countries that remain outside such a dialogue can only "keep a close eye on the matter so that the event doesn’t pass them by without their obligatory comment"Read moreGeneral Mladic’s son confirms his deathGeneral Mladic was serving a sentence at a UN detention facility in The HagueRead moreRosel develops radar station capable of detecting swarms of drones — RostecBuilt-in AI algorithms classify targets and filter out harmless ones, minimizing the number of false alarms, Russia’s state tech corporation saidRead moreKiev tries to convince West of military successes in absence of real results — GerasimovAs part of a propaganda campaign, the Kiev regime is spreading false information about an allegedly successful offensive in the Zaporozhye RegionRead moreRussia urges IAEA to influence Kiev over attacks on ZNPP — diplomatMaria Zakharova noted that "such actions would be impossible without constant support for the Kiev junta by Western nations"Read moreUkrainians massively fleeing training camps in Germany — diplomatThe Ukrainian conscripts who have fled make it clear that they do not wish to fight for the ideas of this Kiev regime in its neo-Nazi guise, Maria Zakharova notedRead moreFour wounded in drone attack on Sevastopol — governorAccording to Mikhail Razvozhayev, two of them sustained minor injuries and declined hospitalizationRead moreMoscow to respond to Ukrainian strikes on Russian economic, trade infrastructure — KremlinAccording to Dmitry Peskov, Russia does not need "military escalation," as it is making advances in the special military operation without itRead moreRetired US rear admiral claims he possibly found AtlantisTim Gallaudet added that he would not go into details because he does not want the location to be revealedRead moreTrump personally dispatched CIA chief to Russia — WSJAccording to sources cited by the newspaper, John Ratcliffe's mission was "so sensitive" that even some White House officials had no prior knowledge of itRead moreIN BRIEF: Kremlin briefing covers frozen assets, 'spooks' of Russia’s 'plans' against NATODmitry Peskov added that Russia continues contacts with the United States on Ukraine "at the working level"Read moreMFA comments on viability of hitting British targets, Stubb's shameful RussophobiaGiven Ukraine’s strikes with British weapons, Moscow has every right to attack British military facilities, Maria Zakharova statedRead moreLukashenko arrives in Russia for visitEarlier, BelTA reported that the Belarusian President plans to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during his working visit to RussiaRead moreRussian forces hit oil refineries, logistics centers in Kiev, other cities — top brassRead moreArmy general comments on Russia’s unabated offensive, Ukraine’s attempts to hold DonbassKiev’s main strategic objective is to maintain control over the remaining part of Donbass, and the Ukrainian army has created a defense in depth, Valery Gerasimov saidRead morePress review: CIA chief's Moscow visit raises questions as Russia warns UK of retaliationTop stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 28thRead moreUnclear when, if Zaporozhstal steel plant to be able to resume work — Ukrainian lawmakerThe consequences are extremely serious, Musa Magomedov saidRead moreRussian stocks close mixed on ThursdayThe MOEX Index added 1.07% to 2,093.4 points, while the RTS Index fell by 0.9% to 767.23 pointsRead moreGrossi says relations with Russia would be serious if elected UN secretary-generalThe IAEA director general said he had developed a very good working relationship with RussiaRead moreRussia, China close gap with US in space — mediaThis "could have frightening consequences for the national security" of the United States, the newspaper writesRead moreRuling Republika Srpska party leader plans to visit Moscow in late SeptemberThe politician stressed that at present he was waging a "just and defensive war" against "part of the European Union"Read moreRussian forces continue their offensive unabated, chief of General Staff saysGeneral Valery Gerasimov said the offensive continues in all directionsRead moreUS does not plan to restore memorandum with Iran — mediaThe US authorities are currently focused on increasing economic pressure on the Islamic Republic, the newspaper saidRead moreRussian embassy in Serbia offers condolences over Mladic’s deathThe former Bosnian Serb army commander died in prison in The Hague on August 27Read morePoland not planning to host nuclear warheads, deputy defense minister saysPawel Zalewski said that Poland wants to participate in NATO nuclear deterrence, which does not mean having nuclear warheads on its territoryRead moreShipping in Strait of Hormuz depends on US talks — Iranian Security Council chiefMohsen Rezaei added that "an end to all conflicts in the Middle East," particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, was the top-priority condition for the resumption of vessel traffic Read moreUK Navy commander admits might of Russian submarine fleetRussia can deal serious damage to the UK critical undersea infrastructure if it chooses to, Gwyn Jenkins saidRead more'We don't want to speak to them': Trump on negotiations with IranThe Strait of Hormuz is open and loads of barrels of oil pass through it, said US President Read moreIN BRIEF: Damaged house in Sevastopol, supermarket in Moscow Region, 512 UAV attacksAs a result of a drone attack in the Yaroslavl Region, one person was killed and 27 were injuredRead moreBattlegroup North drones destroy three US-made Ukrainian armored vehicles overnightThe FPV drone crews eliminated one International MaxxPro armored vehicle and two Humvee armored vehiclesRead moreFACTBOX: Russian forces strike Ukrainian military targets, oil refinery, steel millsEnergy facilities supplying power to Ukrainian ports in the Odessa Region were also struck, the Russian Defense Ministry reportedRead moreVon der Leyen admits EU economy relied on energy from Russia, exports to ChinaThe European Commission president chose not to point out that the disruption of global trade and the blocking of energy supplies from Russia were a direct result of sanctions drafted by the European CommissionRead moreUS fully cleared Strait of Hormuz of mines — CENTCOM headBradley Cooper said that mines in the strait’s international shipping lanes were laid by IRGCRead moreWhat is known about summons of Romania's charge d’affaires in Russia to Foreign MinistryAccording to the ministry’s statement following Thursday’s summons of the charge d’affaires, Russia declared an employee of the Romanian embassy in Moscow persona non grata in retaliationRead moreCash in Russian economy to keep growing, Central Bank action needed — SberIn Taras Skvortsov's view, the Russian financial market has a sufficient margin of resilience to expect the situation to normalizeRead moreTop Iranian diplomat says returning to talks with US possibleAbbas Araghchi called on the US administration to engage in respectful dialogue, recognize Iran’s rights, and honor its commitmentsRead moreRussia ranks fourth by number of billionaires in 2025 — studyThe United States remained the leading country by the number of billionairesRead moreIsrael carries out sweep in Quneitra province, south of Damascus — TVAccording to the report, the Israeli military blocked the road between the settlements of Ufaniyah and Khan Arnabah, where their patrols are searching homes in search of militants from radical groups and weapons cachesRead moreShare of foreign investment in Russian federal loan bonds up to 3.1% in July — regulatorAs of July 1, 2026, the share of non-residents in OFZ equaled 3%Read moreVatican official underscores importance of mutual understanding for living in peaceSecretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Paul Richard Gallagher is in Russia on a five-day working visit, which began on MondayRead moreGroup of Japanese students visited St. Petersburg on August 12-20 — Foreign MinistryA Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the visit took place in the framework of the first exchange on the governmental level in seven yearsRead moreNearly 1,000 people listed as missing in Nepal, over 3,200 rescuedAccording to available information, 13,295 people are involved in the rescue operationRead moreBank of Russia raises dollar exchange rate to 85.95 rubles for August 28The official euro exchange rate has been raised by 2 rubles and 1.01 kopecks to 100.2998 rublesRead moreUS companies preparing for potential Republican defeat in November elections — newspaperAccording to The Wall Street Journal, major technology companies that have made large donations to Trump’s projects fear becoming targets of congressional investigations and legal prosecutionsRead moreEU condemned Mladic, but remains silent about nationalism in Ukraine — senior legislatorKonstantin Kosachev said that even before the start of the special military operation, at least 16,000 people had been killed in Donbass by "the heirs, adherents, followers and admirers of Ukrainian nationalists"Read morePutin to meet Belarusian president on August 29 — KremlinAlexander Lukashenko arrived in Moscow on August 27Read moreRussian forces hit 147 Ukrainian UAV control centers in special op zone — top brassIn particular, Battlegroup West units destroyed 57 enemy UAV control centersRead moreRussia’s international reserves up $5.6 bln in one week to $761 bln — Central BankAs of August 14, the country’s reserves totaled $755.6 blnRead moreRussian intel chief says meeting with US counterpart is 'part of job'John Ratcliffe visited the Russian capital on TuesdayRead moreCIA chief's visit to Russia, Kiev regime’s collapse, Armenia situation: Kremlin’s briefingAccording to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, there were no direct contacts between the Russian President and John RatcliffeRead moreKiev troops shell DPR 24 times in past day, civilian woundedTwo residential buildings, special equipment, and five civil infrastructure sites were damagedRead moreSaudi Arabia preparing for new war with Houthis in Yemen — mediaAccording to the newspaper, Riyadh would prefer to preserve peace but is prepared for a military scenarioRead moreVenezuela mulls possibility of quitting OPEC — BloombergAccording to the report, Caracas discussed the idea of withdrawal with US officials, but the final decision is yet to be madeRead moreMoldova holds military parade featuring NATO equipment in Chisinau on Independence Day"This is an opportunity to show people how we have strengthened the country’s defense," Moldovan President Maia Sandu saidRead moreKing Harald V of Norway dies at 89 — Royal HouseKing Harald V of Norway was hospitalized on August 17 due to an infection and complications from hemolytic anemiaRead moreUS is pushing Europe toward disaster, not saving it — Ukrainian opposition politicianViktor Medvedchuk argued that European leaders could have helped bring about peace in Ukraine much earlier had they not supported the conflictRead moreRussian UN envoy urges Israel to halt military adventurismVasily Nebenzya cited Israeli Air Force strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase and a drone attack on a vehicle near the town of Beit Jinn as examplesRead moreIran could harm US economic interests in response to sanctions — security officialMohsen Rezaei said that Washington’s shift toward economic pressure demonstrates that "a military solution to the conflict produces limited results"Read moreArmenia would lose up to 27% of exports if it withdraws from EAEU — expertArmenia will also lose such a significant asset as the unhindered movement of labor, Anton Sviridenko addedRead moreUS escorted around 1,500 vessels through Strait of Hormuz — CENTCOMAdmiral Bradley Cooper claimed that since the US resumed its maritime blockade on Iran in mid-July, the Islamic republic "has exported zero oil from its shores"Read more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

Beijing’s Diamond Butterfly Open Eurasian Film Award features Russian films at screenings

• What happened: The Diamond Butterfly Open Eurasian Film Award in Beijing showcased several Russian films, including the romantic drama "Two People In One...

Russia

Russians’ level of trust in President Vladimir Putin stands at 72% — pollster

• What happened: A recent survey by the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Research (VTsIOM) indicates that 72% of Russians express trust in President Vladim...

Russia

Russian CEO to lead $1 billion Indian neurotech fund

• What happened: A new fund named ADI Neuroscience has been launched in India to invest $1 billion in the neurotechnology sector over the next five years, backe...

Russia

Court sentences former Ukrainian presidential adviser in absentia to 11 years for fakes

• What happened: A Russian court sentenced former Ukrainian presidential adviser Alexey Arestovich to 11 years in prison in absentia for inciting terrorism and ...

Russia

Afghanistan ‘undoubtedly’ better off without US – Taliban spokesman (VIDEO)

• What happened: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed in an interview that Afghanistan is "undoubtedly" better off five years after the US wit...

Russia

Russian Armed Forces deploy FPV interceptors that fly at 200 km/h

• What happened: The Russian Armed Forces have deployed FPV interceptors capable of flying at speeds exceeding 200 km/h to target and eliminate enemy drones, as...