‘Rospotrebnadzor (the state consumer rights watchdog) might act as the third party in court I order to support a bank’s borrower in case the latter files a petition asking to use our experts’ report for the case,’ says Elena Bogacheva of Ural division of Rospotrebnadzor.

Kommersant newspaper has recently reported that for the first time, a claim has been laid by a borrower against a bank regarding illegal additional commissions connected with mortgage lending. Rospotrebnadzor is to support the borrower for the first time as well. This claim, laid against RosEuroBank, is unique in that it is the first case when complaints involve a mortgage loan rather than any other loan scheme.

‘The court normally makes a decision based on Rospotrebnadzor’s reports. Such precedents, just like the case of Home Credit and Finance Bank Ltd., might lead to banks treating their clients’ complaints and good will payment requests more seriously, which is expected to help these banks avoid going to court,’ Ms Bogacheva said.