The inquiry is in line with a probe that the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service announced in early November into alleged violations of anti-monopoly laws by large trading networks and banks.
"I signed the inquiry and it was sent yesterday," service deputy head Andrei Kashevarov said. Neither Auchan nor Finansbank have commented on the issue so far.
The official FAS Web site says the service is planning to complete its inspection of factoring contracts between Auchan and Finansbank, supermarket chain Kopeyka and Uralsib bank, and Metro Trading House and Citibank, by December 20.
"According to information received by FAS Russia, trading networks pressure their suppliers to work with certain banks, to which the assignment of a claim is transferred. However, the commission taken by these banks is twice as much as that taken by the supplier's banks," the Web site says.
The service said its experts consider these actions to be an indication of "vertical agreements," forbidden by the law on protecting competition.
