VTB expects to start using the IRB approach to assess the amount of credit risk by 2023, which will make it possible to free up capital, said Dmitry Pyanov, member of the Management Board. VTB applied to the Bank of Russia for permission to use the IRB approach back in July 2021. Whether the regulator is ready to take a positive decision will become clear in the middle of this year, possibly in the third quarter, Pyanov explained.