Classification matters
Credit, housing, agricultural and ordinary consumer cooperatives follow different regimes.
A share is not a bank deposit
The claim depends on the agreement, charter and special law, not ordinary deposit insurance.
Liability has a limit
The general ceiling is the unpaid additional contribution unless a special statute applies.
Identify the organisation
Review the corporate register, charter, self-regulatory membership and Bank of Russia register. A credit consumer cooperative accepts member savings and grants loans to members; special financial-organisation provisions apply. Housing, garage and agricultural cooperatives need separate analysis.
Member and creditor claims
| Situation | Claim | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Return of a share | Monetary claim against the cooperative | Charter, withdrawal notice and calculation |
| Savings in a credit cooperative | Claim under the savings agreement | Agreement, statements and membership |
| Loan granted by the cooperative | Cooperative receivable | Schedule, payments and security |
| Additional contribution | Duty to cover losses within the approved amount | Balance sheet and member resolution |
| Management misconduct | Separate claim against controlling persons | Control, breach and causation |
Member liability
After approval of the annual balance sheet, members must cover losses through additional contributions within three months. Their joint subsidiary liability under Article 123.3 is limited to each member’s unpaid portion. It does not make every member liable for every cooperative debt.
Practical steps
- Obtain the register extract and charter and classify the cooperative.
- Check the Bank of Russia and SRO records for a credit cooperative.
- Collect agreements, payments, resolutions and correspondence.
- Review the court file and Fedresurs notices.
- Calculate the claim using supported amounts only.
- Lodge it within the court deadline and participate in creditor meetings.
See the guide to corporate bankruptcy and lodging a creditor claim.
Special regime for a credit consumer cooperative
A Russian credit consumer cooperative is treated as a financial organisation. Articles 183.1–183.26 and 189.1–189.6 of Federal Law No. 127-FZ apply in addition to ordinary consumer-cooperative rules. The regulator, self-regulatory organisation and temporary administration may become involved before liquidation proceedings.
| Issue | Special rule | Member action |
|---|---|---|
| Share refund after petition acceptance | Payment of share-accumulation refund claims is suspended | Lodge the claim in the case |
| Member savings | Distinguished from membership rights | Prove the savings agreement and transfers |
| Temporary administration | May be appointed on special grounds | Monitor regulator and Fedresurs notices |
| Creditor meeting | Registered members may vote, including by ballot | Meet the ballot receipt deadline |
| Additional contribution | Requires a statutory and charter basis | Verify the calculation before acceptance |
“Share” is not a sufficient claim description. Share accumulation, personal savings transferred under contract, interest and damages have different legal grounds. Keep the contract, receipts, statements, calculation and membership evidence.
Member checklist
- Check Bank of Russia, SRO, Fedresurs and court records.
- Separate the membership share from personal savings.
- Reconcile principal, interest and prior payments.
- Lodge the claim within the court deadline.
- Verify the register entry and participate in creditor meetings.
- Review any additional-contribution demand separately.
Official credit-cooperative rules
Frequently asked questions
Are cooperative savings insured like bank deposits?
No. Ordinary bank deposit insurance does not apply; the agreement, SRO mechanisms and case must be examined.
May a member withdraw a share after the case begins?
Individual payment outside the proceeding is generally unavailable; the claim follows the statutory process and priority.
Are a member’s relatives liable?
Membership alone creates no family debt. Liability requires an independent basis such as a guarantee.
Who may petition against a credit cooperative?
Special rules define applicants and Bank of Russia powers; entitlement must be checked under Articles 183.1 and 189.1.
Can pre-bankruptcy transfers be challenged?
Potentially, under general and special avoidance rules, subject to evidence.
Official sources
- Civil Code Article 123.3;
- financial organisation bankruptcy rules;
- Federal Law No. 190-FZ;
- Bank of Russia registers.
Claim against a cooperative?
We can assess its type, evidence, deadline and priority without promising a predetermined outcome.
Initial consultation