Russians named bonuses and security as the main incentives for choosing a payment method.

      01 September 2025 13:48

      Economy According to a VTB survey conducted ahead of EEF-2025, every second Russian is ready to use alternative payment methods more actively if they are accompanied by bonuses and cashback, as well as security guarantees.

      Alternative cashless payment methods are becoming increasingly popular: 71% of respondents use transfers via the Fast Payment System (FPS), 61% use QR-code payments, and 35% use NFC technologies.

      Nearly half of respondents (47%) make payments via the FPS at least once a week. The highest share of daily users is recorded in the North Caucasian (25%) and Far Eastern federal districts (19%).

      QR-code payments are also widely used: 27% of respondents pay this way several times a week, and 13% daily. NFC technology has its supporters: 12% of respondents use it every day, and 15% several times a week. The largest number of NFC users is registered in Moscow (19%) and St. Petersburg (18%).

      According to the survey, for a third of respondents alternative methods have become the most convenient, while cash remains the least preferred payment method (6%). Regions show different preferences: NFC is most popular in the Caucasus, QR in St. Petersburg, and FPS transfers are preferred by residents of the Northwest. Traditional card payments remain most in demand in the Volga region.

      The main factor encouraging Russians to use new payment methods was bonus programs and cashback (60%). About half of respondents are ready to use alternative methods more actively if there are security guarantees.

      “Interest in alternative payment instruments is growing not only in the capital and large cities but across the country. This indicates the development of the cashless payments market, and it is important for banks to offer customers tangible benefits,” said Senior Vice President and Head of the Retail Business Products Department at VTB Alexey Okhorzin.

      *The survey was conducted in August 2025 among 1,500 Russians aged 18 to 65 in cities with populations of over 100,000.

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