Russia’s big state bank wants to be the leading player in the country’s fast-growing e-commerce sector. It could succeed.

The battle for control of Petropavlovsk has been raging since the board and management were unexpectedly voted out at the AGM in June. But only now has it become clear the role a conversion of bonds may have played. At issue are allegations of unequal bondholder treatment.

Every bank wants to rebrand as a tech player, but few are aiming as high as Sberbank.

The BRICS economies, which between them represent 40% of the world population and 32% of its GDP, are a powerful force for the private banking industry as their economic engines drive wealth creation. But they are all distinct markets with their own unique opportunities and challenges.

A bank with a profitable core business is a better bet than one designed to lose money.

While banks have made progress on integrating environmental considerations into areas such as project finance and corporate lending, investment bankers have so far faced few – if any – sustainability-related restrictions on their activities.

Tinkoff Bank’s virtual assistant is good for eating out, but not food for thought.

Co-founder Sergey Khotimskiy says the coronavirus crisis could help Russia’s private-sector banks fight back against state dominance.

Recruited to set up a national payments system, the central bank’s Olga Skorobogatova has overseen initiatives to protect consumers and promote competition in Russia’s banking sector. In her first interview with international media, she talks sandboxes, blockchain and the challenges of regulating bank ecosystems.

Vladimir Verkhoshinskiy says Covid-19 crisis offers opportunities for leading Russian private-sector banks.

In 2014, a $1 billion bank fraud nearly bankrupted the tiny state. It came through in better shape thanks to reformist policymakers, an IMF bailout and the sale of big banks. But a Russia-leaning administration now threatens to undo those reforms.

Sustainable financing is gaining ground in corporate Russia as firms look to improve their environmental, social and governance policies ‒ but can the country’s notorious polluters really go green?

The former consumer finance specialist focuses on collateralized lending and sustainable finance ahead of its planned IPO.

Russia’s leading private sector lender looks to mortgages to maintain pace of loan growth.

VTB has long lagged state-owned rival Sberbank in terms of profitability, but with sanctions limiting access to capital the pressure is on to close the gap – chairman Andrey Kostin explains why digital transformation and aggressive retail growth hold the key to success for Russia’s second-largest lender.

A higher score, and tier, in the Euromoney Belt and Road Index shines the spotlight on Russia’s participation this quarter.

What do you give Russia's retired central banker?

As part of Euromoney's 50th anniversary coverage, we profile some of the biggest names that we interviewed for our May CEE focus.

Viktor Gerashchenko served as chairman of the Gosbank from 1989 to December 1991 and head of the central bank of Russia from 1992 to 1994 and 1998 to 2002. He was chairman of International Bank of Moscow from 1996 to 1998 and Russia’s IMF representative 1998 to 2000. He was elected to the State Duma in 2003.

As part of Euromoney's 50th anniversary coverage, we profile some of the biggest names that we interviewed for our May CEE focus.

Petr Aven served as minister of foreign economic relations for the Russian Federation between 1991 and 1992. He was president of Alfa-Bank Russia from 1994 to 2011 and is currently chairman of the board, a position he also holds at ABH Holdings, Alfa Group’s financial holding company.

New chief executive says ‘smart simplicity’ hold key to success for Russia’s largest privately owned bank.

Macro and monetary policy factors are affecting some currencies more than traditional commodity triggers.

Accepting payments from customers in Russia is not always a straightforward process, although interest in the area is growing.

Fitch sounds the alarm over unsecured consumer lending boom as household incomes stagnate.

The last thing Russia’s state bank VTB needs is another African mishap.

Two borrowers beat US pressure by tapping into demand with euro and renminbi sales.

Five years ago it was a niche player specializing in consumer loans for the elderly – today Sovcombank is one of Russia’s largest privately owned banks, with a clutch of new shareholders from China and the Gulf. What lies behind its remarkable rise?

With new US sanctions looming over Russia and the effects of higher oil prices largely already priced in, will the Russian rouble sink or swim as we approach the end of 2018?

Investment bankers hope for an autumn thaw after a spring freeze.