August 7, 2014. Only 4% of Russian citizens got debts refinanced. Only 21% actually know this option exists, and 35% more heard something about this possibility. This means that the share of respondents who heard this term for the first time during the survey came to 44%. Such were the findings of a survey conducted by the National Agency for Financial Investigation (NAFI) in July 2014.

Debt refinancing means you take out a new bank loan on more appealing terms in order to partially or fully pay off an already existing loan.

It turns out people who are temporarily unemployed are the largest group best informed about the scheme (33% of respondents in this group). Working, economically active people who heard about the service make up 39% of those surveyed in this segment. 57% of both homemakers and retirees surveyed know nothing about this option.

Refinancing was most wide-spread in Central Federal District and North-Western Federal District (25% and 24%, respectively). The number of people who have used the refinancing option is the biggest in Central Federal District (46%) and Volga Federal District (27%).

15% of Ural Federal District residents surveyed are well aware of the service, while 44% of respondents heard the term for the first time in their lives. 3% of local residents have used the debt refinancing option at one point or another.