Sberbank today is the largest credit institution in Russia and CIS, accounting for 27% of the aggregate Russian banking assets and 26% of banking capital. According to The Banker magazine, as of 1 July 2010, Sberbank was ranked 43th in the world in terms of Tier 1 capital.

Established in 1841, Sberbank has grown into a universal commercial bank with diversified businesses. Sberbank is the biggest taker of deposits in the country and the key lender to the national economy. As of 1 June 2010 Sberbank accounted for 48% of retail deposits, 33% of consumer loans and 30% of corporate loans in Russia.

Sberbank has the largest countrywide branch network with 18 regional head offices and more than 19,100 retail outlets with about 245,600 employees. Elsewhere, Sberbank operates subsidiary banks in Kazakhstan and Ukraine contemplating Belarus and targets 5% share of these markets. Under the new strategy, the Bank plans to build a foothold in China & India and generate about 5% of net income outside Russia by 2014.

Sberbank is closely engaged in international activities through direct settlement agreements, correspondent accounts with over 220 leading credit institutions of the world, trade finance operations and membership in a number of international financial organizations. Close business ties and universal recognition by foreign counterparties enable Sberbank to offer a wide spectrum of financial services to its clients involved in foreign activities, access funding markets abroad and keep up with the best international practices. 

Sberbank’s shares have been publicly traded on MICEX and RTS since 1996. In March 2007, the Bank increased shareholder capital by 12% through the SPO, raising RUB230.2 bn in new capital. Sberbank’s average daily turnover makes about 35% of total MICEX turnover.

As of 16 April 2010, CBR owned 60.3% of Sberbank’s ordinary shares and 57.6% of its total share capital, being Sberbank’s controlling shareholder. The remaining shares are held by more than 263,000 institutional and private investors. Non-resident ownership of about 32% suggests Sberbank’s shares are a compelling investment.

Sberbank’s solid business reputation is confirmed by its international ratings: “BBB” long term issuer default rating from Fitch Ratings and a long term foreign currency deposit rating of “Baa1” from Moody’s Investors Service. The Bank has the highest national scale rating of AAA.ru.

Approved in October 2008, the new strategy till 2014 is aimed at developing Sberbank’s enormous potential and making it even more competitive. Prudent risk management, cost optimization and higher efficiency incentives will help Sberbank to weather the current financial turmoil, maintain leadership in the Russian financial system and become one of leading global financial institutions.