Sberbank does not plan to expand in Europe

Text published: 31.07.2018 15:59

"All branches of Sberbank Europe have been profitable since 2017, with the exception of Croatia because of the agreement on the Croatian Agrokor distribution chain, which was very difficult," said the vice President of Sberbank Igor Kolomejski

In a conversation with reporters from Serbia, Hungary and the Czech Republic at Sberbank Europe headquarters in Vienna, Kolomeysky said that although these banks are performing well, Sberbank is not planning to expand on the market. European market. the bank and the business sector.

"We will focus on achieving results." Our supervisory board approved a new strategy for all international banks within the Sberbank Group last December, "said Kolomeyski, with regard to the strategy of Sberbank Europe, which has 39, about 11.8 billion euros, the priority is to improve profitability. "The goal of each shareholder is the return on capital, the return on equity at the group level is 20%, the European markets are less profitable, so our strategic objective is to reach a single-digit figure, "said Mr. Kolomejski.
He added that, for example, in Sberbank's strategy up to In 2020, the return of capital in Kazakhstan and Belarus is set at more than 20% .In his opinion, Sberbank Europe has achieved more profits than expected in the first half of this year, more than 41 million euros.

"Sberbank Europe closed FY 2017 with a positive net result in almost all Central Bank branches. and Sberbank Europe Group also sold its branch in Ukraine (VS Bank) and left the market, "added Kolomei

.He also said that Sberbank is satisfied with the results business in Serbia." Banks the most profitable ones within Sberbank Europe were the Czech and Serbian banks in 2017. The profit of the bank in Serbia was about 6.6 million euros and I repeat, we are very satisfied, we see good moves, we see the development of digital banking and the supply of new products, said the vice president of Sberbank Russia.

Kolomeyski said that the main purpose of this banking group is to provide the best products to all users in all countries.

Commenting on the sale of Denizbank, a branch of Sberbank in Turkey, he said he expects this transaction to be completed by the end of the year. "When Denizbank was bought out, our main objective was to take advantage of the enhanced cooperation between Russia and Turkey and the economic potential of the region, which is the main reason for its entry into the Turkish market, but the situation is still uncomfortable. The sanctions have influenced the way Sberbank can develop its branch in Turkey, in particular, Denizbank can not get funding from European sources, "Kolomeyski said.

Asked if another bank would be included in Sberbank International (Sberbank International) to be offered for sale, Kolomeysky said that no negotiations are currently underway on this subject, but added that Sberbank Russia has changed its plans regarding the presence in Ukraine.

"The withdrawal of Ukraine is also on the daily OK, the negotiations with the central bank and potential buyers are ongoing, a Belarusian bank has shown interest in the recovery a few months ago and we We have already done so they were about to fix the price, "Kolomyski said, questioned on how the sanctions of Western countries against Russia affect Sberbank's operations, he said that the Sberbank group was under sanctions for almost four years and was accustomed to a new reality

Public markets and the bank have certain limitations to work with individual companies, which is why a new strategy for the group as a whole and especially for Sberbank International must be adopted, "said Kolomejski.

He adds that corporate social responsibility is very important for Sberbank and that in Russia, as in its European subsidiaries, there are extremely important programs in this area: "This is part of our reputation and is very important. important for our business, "said Sberbank Russia's vice president.

Sberbank Serbia has 33 branches with 720 employees. In the first quarter of this year, the bank achieved a 12% increase in net income compared to the same period of 2017, while total deposits increased by 20%. Compared to the first quarter of 2017, 17% more loans were granted to the population and the economy during the same period in 2018.