Introduction. The banking sector is a key sector of the national economy and a growth factor, determining its efficiency and development prospects. Over the past year and a half, the national economy in general and the banking sector in particular have been adapting to the external negative impact of the sanctions policies of Western countries. Package sanctions were created on a regular basis and are used today to limit the development of the country in all areas. Theoretical analysis. The study identifies and substantiates the factors that ensure the relationship between the sanctions imposed by Western countries and the state of the banking sector of the Russian Federation. The basis for the Russian banking sector functioning is systemically important banks; in this regard, the influence of sanctions on their activities and mechanisms of adaptation to sanctions are of particular research interest. Empirical analysis. Statistical indicators of the banking sector, assets, lending to corporate clients and individuals, profits of the banking sector and credit organizations were analyzed, conclusions were drawn about successful adaptation to sanctions due to growth in indicators, high margins and a significant reduction in the cost of risk in comparison with 2022. Results. The process of the banking sector adaptation to sanctions pressure is presented and the reasons for its effective recovery are identified.