Deferred assistance: banks have started to implement installment payments in basic payments

Banks have begun to actively implement installment payments in their standard payment solutions, Izvestia found out. Credit organizations began offering to pay in installments for housing and communal services, an Internet bill, or education. T-Bank was the first to introduce a similar service in all its non-cash payment methods. Installment payments are no longer a "way to buy something expensive" and are becoming a tool for managing everyday expenses - this reflects the global trend towards the growing popularity of installments. How they are taken into account in the debt burden of citizens is described in the Izvestia article.

How to pay for housing and communal services in shares

Banks have begun to integrate the installment payment mechanism into their basic payment services, Izvestia found out. Installment payment services are becoming increasingly popular among Russians, changing their consumer habits: customers are actively using the flexibility of the buy now, pay later (BNPL) models and the advantages they provide.

For example, T-Bank has integrated the payment service in installments into all non—cash payment methods used by Russians. Now customers will be able to divide into parts and pay in stages for any purchases and bills, including payments for housing and communal services, the Internet, games and education. When using the service, the purchase amount is divided into four parts: the first part is debited immediately, and the next three are automatically charged every two weeks.

— We see how pay-later payment models are becoming the standard all over the world: users want flexibility. We were the first in Russia to give users the opportunity to pay for purchases in installments everywhere," explained Maxim Zaitsev, CEO of Shares.

Payment in installments has become available everywhere: when paying with a Black debit card, in payments in the T-Bank mobile application, on the websites and applications of more than 80 thousand partners, as well as using the QR code "Sber" and SBP online and offline, fintech clarified. In early 2026, the service will also be available at T-Bank terminals and for T-Pay payments in online stores.

When the service is enabled, the customer will be able to pay for up to 30 thousand rubles in installments. At the same time, the maximum limit for purchases in "Shares" can reach 70 thousand rubles.

Gazprombank is also developing installment payment services within its ecosystem of payment solutions, both offline and online, the organization's press service said.

In addition, there are several other BNPL services on the market - these are "Pay in installments" from Sberbank, "Split" from Yandex Bank, "Podeli" from Alfa Bank, "Flex" from MTS, as well as the ability to pay for purchases in installments from Wildberries. There are also products that are often confused with BNPL, such as Halva and Flight from Sovcombank, Pay in Installments from Humopeu, and Ozone Installment Plan. These credit products are issued in accordance with the legislation on consumer loans.

The BNPL market in the world is growing rapidly: according to Research and Markets, the volume of transactions may exceed $560 billion in 2025, which corresponds to an increase of about 13-14% per year. This is a global trend — people are increasingly splitting payments into equal parts, which allows customers to increase consumption without overloading their budget. This approach reduces the habit of postponing purchases and makes installments part of regular consumption.

In Russia, installment payments are also in high demand, said Natalia Milchakova, a leading analyst at Freedom Finance Global. In 2024, 38.2 million people used installment services, and in 2025 it is projected to grow to 45-48 million users, which is 17-26% more than a year earlier. The market volume of BNPL services in 2025 may reach 500 billion rubles, which is 67% higher than in 2024, confirming the high interest of Russians in these services.

Is the payment in installments counted in the credit history

Banks are actively implementing shared-equity payments in acquiring and advertising campaigns, and borrowers use them for everyday expenses, replacing traditional consumer loans, explained Oleg Abelev, head of the analytical department at the Rikom-Trust investment company.

This is especially true during the period of high key interest rates, when the cost of loans can reach 20% per annum. Nevertheless, this approach blurs the line between own funds and borrowed funds for the consumer, the expert noted.

Installments for the bank carry the same credit risks as classic credit products, said Dmitry Gritskevich, Head of Banking and Financial Market Analysis at PSB. In this regard, the Bank of Russia has begun to regulate BNPL services. Starting from April 1, 2026, a law comes into force that introduces a register of installment payment operators, limits the installment period, and will also oblige the transfer of data to the Credit History Bureau (BCI) for purchases over the limit.

The maximum installment period will be limited to six months, and in the future (from April 1, 2028) - clearly no more than four months, which is designed to exclude indefinite or too long—term obligations. The limit for installment purchases is set at 50 thousand rubles: above this amount, operators will be required to send information about the installment plan to the BKI so that it is taken into account when assessing the borrower's debt burden.

So far, most BNPL services do not transmit information to the BCI during standard use. This means that these products may not be taken into account in the debt burden of citizens and may not affect the issuance of loans.

Nevertheless, payments on them are considered financial obligations in any case, so they increase the burden on the buyer's income by the amount of the purchased goods, Natalia Milchakova noted. Installments should be used carefully. Since payments seem "interest—free" and are easily processed in one click, many buyers may underestimate the total amount of obligations - in this case, there is a possibility of delinquency.

— If the borrower has overdue an installment payment, the consequences will be similar to those of late payment on a loan or credit card — the accrual of a fine or penalty, the termination of the installment plan and the bank or store's requirement to repay the remaining amount immediately, debt collection through the courts, — warned Natalia Milchakova from Freedom Finance Global.

Nevertheless, BNPL services are indeed a convenient payment tool that, when used correctly, facilitates budget planning, said Oleg Abelev from Rikom‑Trust. However, it is important for clients to use them rationally, avoiding impulsive purchases and excessive debt burden growth.