{
  "id": 2326723,
  "title": "Russian banks see massive withdrawals as expert cites precautionary moves",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/russian-banks-see-massive-withdrawals-as-expert-cites-precautionary",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-21T06:16:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ajel English",
    "slug": "ajel-english",
    "url": "https://english.ajel.sa/business/amecg00wx"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Russian banks experienced withdrawals amounting to 286 billion rubles over a two-week period in August, according to an economist. Jihad Al-Hakim, a professor of economics and global financial markets, explained that this withdrawal was a precautionary move by depositors due to market uncertainty. In an interview with Al Arabiya FM, Al-Hakim stressed the significance of understanding the true reasons behind these withdrawals. He pointed out that the Russian central bank has mainly characterized these withdrawals as normal, citing internet outages, disruptions to electronic payments, and seasonal factors as contributing factors. Al-Hakim suggested that the central bank could take several steps before considering restrictions on withdrawals. These steps include injecting liquidity into the markets to alleviate depositor concerns and bolster confidence in the banking sector. The central bank might also raise interest rates to encourage depositors to hold their funds in banks for longer periods, thereby slowing the pace of withdrawals. Al-Hakim emphasized that tackling the wave of withdrawals necessitates gradual measures aimed at reassuring depositors and preserving stability in the banking sector before resorting to more restrictive options.",
  "summary": "Russian banks faced withdrawals of 286 billion rubles in two weeks this August, with an economist calling it a precaution by depositors amid market uncertainty.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}