Russian banks made a record $36.8 billion in profit last year, and even the central bank is surprised by it

• Russian banks made a record 3.3 trillion rubles, or $36.8 billion, in profits last year.
• It was driven by demand for mortgages and loans to finance large business acquisitions.
• Russia rolled out discount mortgages last year to support its sanctions-hit economy.

Even Russia's central bank is surprised by how well Russian banks did last year.

Russian banks made 3.3 trillion rubles, or $36.8 billion, last year, marking a record high, the country's central bank announced on Tuesday.