MOSCOW, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The rouble fell by about 5%

against the U.S. dollar at the over-the-counter market on

Wednesday, seeking a new equilibrium following a fall at the end

of November due to U.S. financial sanctions and subsequent

strengthening.

By 1300 GMT, the rouble traded at 107.87 to the dollar,

according to over-the-counter market data from banks.

The rouble was down by 2.3% at 14.02 against the yuan in

trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange.

"The pressure on the rouble could be coming from increased

demand for foreign currency linked to an exit by some foreign

company, whose name we will find out later," a forex dealer from

a Russian bank, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters.

The U.S. sanctions, imposed on Nov. 22, hit Gazprombank,

Russia's third largest lender, which handles payments for energy

trade with Europe, disrupting foreign trade transactions and the

supply of foreign currency to the Russian market.

The rouble weakened sharply against all major currencies,

including China's yuan, in the aftermath of the sanctions, but

has since regained much of that ground.

Currency traders noted that market volatility persisted.

"In the current situation, there could be a sharp rise on

one day, a sharp fall on another," another dealer said.

One-day rouble/dollar futures, which trade on the Moscow

Stock Exchange and are a guide for the over-the-counter exchange

rate, also pointed to the dollar strengthening.

They were up almost 3% at 104.39.

The rouble's fluctuations are reflected in the central

bank's official exchange rate, which is set daily around 1430

GMT.