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Central Bank raises red flags over preferential mortgage loans

The regulator intends "to check the correctness of the banks’ assessment of the fair value of mortgages"

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. The Central Bank of Russia has expressed concerns about potential systemic risks associated with banks granting preferential housing loans only to developers who pay commissions, the regulator’s press service said.

"Charging a fee for issuing preferential mortgage loans creates risks. Banks issuing subsidized loans to purchase housing only to those developers who pay a fee reduces transparency, weakens competition and increases segmenting in the mortgage lending and project financing markets. Developers may eventually pass the fee along to the consumer, which will increase the price gap between the primary and secondary housing markets. This carries risks for mortgage borrowers," the Central Bank said. The regulator intends "to check the correctness of the banks’ assessment of the fair value of mortgages."

The fee would be a lump sum paid by developers to banks for granting preferential loans to buyers based on signed subsidy agreements. Developers previously did not pay for the standard rate for subsidized loans.

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