Recently, the Bank of Russia announced new services in the SBP. We are looking at the new scenarios, the timing of their implementation, and the opportunities they offer for businesses and customers.

In 2026–2027, the Fast Payment System will receive several new use cases. The changes will affect not only transfers between individuals but also the top‑up of accounts via “non‑own” ATMs, cross‑border transfers, and payments for public services. For banks, this means new requirements for payment infrastructure, and for businesses and customers — more ways to conduct transactions without using traditional banking tools.

We examine what changes the Bank of Russia has introduced, when they will come into effect, and what financial organizations will need to work with the updated functionality.

What will change in the SBP in 2026–2027

The Fast Payment System (SBP) is developing into a full‑fledged payment infrastructure. The new rules provide for several areas that will gradually become available to a wide range of users.

Among the most notable changes are: the ability to deposit cash via an ATM of another bank, with the funds credited to your own account; receiving cross‑border transfers from individuals; and citizens paying for state and municipal services via the SBP.

Another important aspect for financial organizations is that the regulator has defined not only the final deadlines but also the transition period for banks that obtain the necessary status or license later. Therefore, the SBP will be implemented in financial organizations taking into account the status of a particular participant.

Nine months to connect: how the requirements for banks will change

For banks that already meet the established requirements, specific deadlines for connecting to new services are provided. However, the Bank of Russia has separately taken into account the situation where a financial institution acquires the status of a systemically important bank or a universal license after the established deadlines.

In such a case, the bank will not have to retroactively connect to the service. The deadline starts from the moment the organization acquires the relevant status or license.

For systemically important banks, the transitional period is nine months from the date of inclusion in the relevant list. The same period is provided for a bank with a universal license — nine months are counted from the date of its receipt.

This approach allows for the distribution of the load on the infrastructure and gives new participants time for technical integration. For organizations that plan to enable SBP for business or expand existing scenarios, this means that they need to estimate the time required for development, testing, and certification in advance.

Technological vendors, such as Right Line, can help with quick connection to SBP. For example, the SBP Connect software system enables banks to implement all currently existing scenarios for conducting transfers through the Fast Payment System.

Cash-in via an ATM of another bank

One of the practical innovations is the ability to deposit cash via an ATM of a bank other than the one where the customer has an account. If both participants are part of the Fast Payment System, an ATM of one bank can be used to top up another bank’s customer’s account.

For the user, this solves a fairly common problem: there’s no need to look for an ATM of their own bank if there’s a device of another system participant nearby.

At the same time, limits have been set for the transaction. The maximum amount for a single deposit is 25,000 rubles, the daily limit is 50,000 rubles, and the monthly limit is 200,000 rubles. When calculating the limits, deposits to the client’s accounts in different banks made via the SBP infrastructure must be taken into account.

For banks, this scenario also opens up new opportunities. The ATM network potentially transforms from an infrastructure exclusively for its own customers into an interbank service. This can increase the efficiency of the existing network of devices and expand the options for serving customers.

Transfers from abroad via the SBP

Another area of development is incoming cross‑border transfers. Starting April 1, 2027, systemically important banks will have to ensure that clients can receive transfers from individuals abroad via the SBP infrastructure.

This refers to transfers under the C2C scheme — from one individual to another. For banks that will obtain systemically important status at a later date, a nine‑month transition period is also provided.

This is a continuation of the development of the system’s international direction. Some Russian banks already offer customers the ability to send money abroad, but the availability of the service depends on the specific credit institution and the destination country.

The new requirements should make incoming international transactions more systematic. At the same time, it is still important for the user to take into account the specific route: the sender’s country, the bank involved in the transaction, possible restrictions, and the terms of the payment.

Thus, transfers via the fast payment system are gradually moving beyond the scope of purely domestic transactions between Russian customers.

Payment of taxes, fines, and services via the SBP

Another important change concerns payments by citizens to the state. Starting in 2027, the largest banks will have to provide customers with the opportunity to make C2G payments — that is, payments from a citizen to the state — via the Fast Payment System.

This category includes taxes, fines, and state duties. In addition, the new scenario will make it possible to pay for services provided by municipal institutions, including kindergartens, clubs, and sports sections.

The transaction can be carried out in several ways. For example, a user will be able to pay for a service on the State Services portal, the agency’s official website, or directly at the institution using a QR code.

For the client, this means a more unified approach to paying for various obligations and services. There will be no need to look for a separate payment method each time, provided the relevant organization supports the new SBP scenario.

When will banks enable C2G payments?

For the largest banks, the deadline is set for April 1, 2027. By this date, they must ensure that their clients can make payments to the budget via the SBP.

Banks with a universal license have been granted a longer transitional period. Their deadline is October 1, 2027.

Some financial institutions already allow clients to make certain payments to the state via the SBP today. However, this still depends on the specific bank. Once the deadlines set by the regulator have been reached, the relevant option must become mandatory for the specified categories of participants.

For financial institutions, this is another area for developing payment infrastructure. If a bank plans to connect to a fast payment system or expand the range of available services, it is important to consider not only the integration itself, but also the requirements for specific transactions, limits, and payment control.

Will there be a fee for payments to the state?

One of the advantages of the new scenario for individuals is the absence of a fee for C2G payments via the SBP. Citizens should not have to pay for conducting such transactions.

Banks are also not subject to a regulatory fee for this type of payment. This distinguishes the new scenario from some other payment transactions and creates additional incentives for its use.

At the same time, the concept of a fast payment system fee should be considered in relation to a specific type of transaction. The terms of different services may vary, so users and businesses need to check the fees charged by their bank and the specific payment scenario.

How much demand there is for the new opportunities

So far, payments from citizens to the state account for a relatively small share of the system’s total turnover. In the first quarter of 2026, 1.4 million C2G transactions were conducted via the SBP, with a total amount of 5.7 billion rubles.

For comparison, the total volume of transfers via the SBP over the same period amounted to 26.5 trillion rubles. The difference shows that the scale of the system is now primarily determined by transfers and other mass operations, rather than payments to the state.

At the same time, the number and volume of C2G payments are already growing compared to the first quarter of 2025. After the largest banks commit to supporting this scenario, its spread may accelerate.

What does this mean for banks and businesses?

The development of SBP increases the number of scenarios that financial institutions need to support. Now it’s not just about transfers via phone number or payments via QR code, but also about cash‑in, international transactions, and payments to state and municipal organizations.

Those who are looking for how to connect to the fast payment system need to take into account the specific business task. The set of requirements will depend on what operations the organization plans to carry out and what role it plays in the payment infrastructure.

Technical integration, compliance with regulatory requirements, testing, and adherence to established deadlines are important for companies and banks. When adding new scenarios, it is also necessary to take into account transaction limits, payment control, and interaction with other system participants.

Ready‑made integration solutions can reduce the amount of custom development and help prepare the infrastructure for new requirements more quickly. In particular, banks can use certified software systems to connect to the necessary SBP services, such as “SBP Connect”.

What to remember about the development of the SBP

In 2026–2027, the Fast Payment System will continue to evolve into a more universal payment infrastructure. The main changes will affect both bank customers and the financial institutions themselves.

Key dates and innovations:

• A transitional period of nine months is provided for new systemically important banks and banks with a universal license;
• It will be possible to deposit cash via an ATM of one bank and have it credited to an account in another bank — provided both organizations participate in the SBP.
• The cash-in limits will be 25,000 rubles per transaction, 50,000 rubles per day, and 200,000 rubles per month;
• starting from April 1, 2027, systemically important banks must ensure the receipt of incoming cross‑border C2C transfers;
• starting from April 1, 2027, major banks must provide C2G payments via the SBP.
• For banks with a universal license, the deadline for enabling the C2G scenario is October 1, 2027;
• payments by citizens to the state via the SBP will be free.

The main takeaway for businesses is to prepare for the expansion of the system’s functionality in advance. The fast payment system in Russia is becoming part of an increasing number of financial processes, so timely integration allows banks and companies to comply with regulatory requirements and take advantage of the new capabilities of the payment infrastructure.