For the first time in a long time, individuals became the largest net buyers of foreign currency.
A record volume of currency was purchased by Russians on the Moscow Exchange in July. This was reported by the Central Bank in its Financial Market Risk Review.
For the first time in a long time individuals became large net buyers. The volume of purchases in the second half of July was 237.1 billion rubles, while in June - 176.1 billion. Russians mostly bought currency through banks.
However, balances in foreign currency bank accounts decreased by three billion dollars in July.
Most likely, Russian citizens bought currency at a low rate and then transferred it abroad. The Central Bank reminded that in the current geopolitical situation one has to pay attention to the risks of delayed transfers and keeping foreign currency in the accounts of organizations from countries unfriendly towards Russia.
In addition, foreign currency was in demand from friendly non-residents, namely, from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The demand for foreign currency was fixed amid the strengthening of the ruble.