The Central Bank discovered a record “hole” in the currency balance of the country’s banking system. Its volume is estimated at $15 billion.

As pointed out by the head of the analytical department, negative net foreign exchange assets formed in November and grew steadily until May.

This means that banks’ foreign exchange liabilities exceed their foreign exchange assets. “Essentially, banks are betting, without taking into account their off-balance sheet positions, to strengthen the ruble,” the analyst explained.