
Rossiya Bank is one of the largest banks in Russia, with a rich history dating back to 1990. It was founded as a private bank and has since grown to become a major player in the Russian financial sector.
Rossiya Bank offers a wide range of financial services, including retail and corporate banking, as well as investment and insurance services. Its network of over 1,500 branches and 4,000 ATMs provides convenient access to banking services for customers across Russia.
The bank's performance has been impressive, with a significant increase in assets and a steady growth in customer base over the years. In 2020, the bank's assets reached a record high of over 2 trillion rubles.
If this caught your attention, see: PNC Financial Services
History of Rossiya Bank
Rossiya Bank has a rich history that spans over several decades. Its assets have grown significantly over the years.
In 2005, Rossiya Bank's assets were worth 12.2 billion rubles, ranking 68th in Russia. This was just the beginning of its growth.

By 2010, the bank's assets had increased to 105.9 billion rubles, ranking 37th in Russia. This marked a significant milestone in the bank's history.
Here's a brief overview of the bank's asset growth over the years:
By 2020, the bank's assets had grown to an impressive 1.072 trillion rubles, ranking 14th in Russia.
2012: Transfer to Own Center
In 2012, Rossiya Bank completed a large-scale project to migrate bank cards to its own processing center.
This move brought the bank to a qualitatively new level of service for plastic card holders.
The bank used to rely on third-party processing services, but the implementation of this project was successful.
The processing center of JSC AB "RUSSIA" provides safe storage of client data and high speed of passage of any transactions even at peak loads.
You might like: Cassa Centrale Banca - Credito Cooperativo Italiano
History
Rossiya Bank has a complex history, with various shareholders playing a significant role in its development. As of January 1, 2005, its major shareholders were Yuriy Kovalchuk with 37.6%, Nikolai Shamalov with 9.7%, Dmitry Gorelov with 9.7% and Alexei Mordashov's Severstal group with 8.8%.
The bank's ownership structure changed over time, and by 2006, Yuriy Kovalchuk held 30.4% of the shares, with Dmitry Gorelov and Nikolay Shamalov each owning 12.58%. Other notable shareholders included JSC Transoil CIS, JSC Severstal Group, and the grandson of Vladimir Putin's uncle, Michael Shelomov.
Here's a breakdown of the bank's major shareholders as of 2006:
Rossiya Bank's history is marked by significant growth in its assets, with a notable increase from 12.2 billion rubles in April 2005 to 30.2 billion rubles in October 2006.
Challenges and Controversies
Rossiya Bank has faced challenges in its operations, particularly with regards to its business model. The bank's focus on retail lending and consumer finance has led to concerns about its risk exposure.
One notable controversy surrounding the bank is its involvement in the Russian government's sanctions evasion efforts. This has led to scrutiny from international organizations and governments.
The bank's activities in Ukraine have also raised eyebrows, with allegations of supporting separatist groups. This has sparked concerns about the bank's involvement in regional conflicts.

Rossiya Bank has been accused of violating international sanctions, with some transactions raising suspicions. The bank's response to these allegations has been inconsistent.
The bank's financial performance has also been impacted by the economic downturn in Russia. This has led to concerns about the bank's ability to maintain its operations.
Rossiya Bank's relationships with other Russian banks have been strained, with some partnerships being terminated due to disagreements. This has limited the bank's access to capital and resources.
Financial Performance
Rossiya Bank has reported a significant increase in its net profit, reaching 23.6 billion rubles in 2020.
This represents a 14% growth compared to the previous year, indicating a strong financial performance.
The bank's revenue has also seen a notable increase, reaching 134.8 billion rubles in 2020.
This growth can be attributed to the bank's expansion into new markets and its successful implementation of digital banking services.
Rossiya Bank's assets have also seen a significant growth, reaching 2.3 trillion rubles in 2020.
Check this out: Mgm Growth Properties Llc

This growth is a testament to the bank's ability to manage its risks and capitalize on new opportunities.
The bank's loan portfolio has also seen a notable increase, reaching 1.3 trillion rubles in 2020.
This growth is a result of the bank's efforts to increase its lending to small and medium-sized businesses.
Rossiya Bank's capital adequacy ratio has remained above 12%, indicating a strong financial position.
This ratio is a key indicator of a bank's ability to absorb potential losses and maintain its financial stability.
Ratings and Recognition
Rossiya Bank has received top ratings from reputable agencies. In February 2021, Expert RA assigned the bank a rating of "ruAA" with a "stable" outlook.
This rating reflects the bank's exceptionally high level of creditworthiness. In August 2018, ACRA Rating Agency assigned AB RUSSIA a rating of A + (RU) with a stable forecast.
Rossiya Bank's strong financial position has also earned it a spot among the top 10 largest credit institutions in Russia. In August 2023, the bank entered the top 10 list compiled by Brobank.ru, with a significant amount of deposits held by individuals in July 2023.
Here are the details of Rossiya Bank's ratings and recognition:
- ruAA rating with a stable outlook (Expert RA, February 2021)
- A + (RU) credit rating with a stable forecast (ACRA Rating Agency, August 2018)
- Top 10 largest credit institutions by volume of deposits (Brobank.ru, August 2023)
2018: A+ Rating (RU)

In 2018, AB RUSSIA received a notable rating upgrade.
The Expert RA rating agency revised the rating of AB RUSSIA in February 2018 and assigned a rating at the level of ruAA, indicating an exceptionally high level of creditworthiness with a stable forecast.
The agency's decision was a significant recognition of AB RUSSIA's financial stability.
In August 2018, ACRA Rating Agency assigned AB RUSSIA an A+ (RU) credit rating with a stable forecast, further solidifying its reputation.
This A+ rating from ACRA is a testament to AB RUSSIA's strong financial standing.
The rating agency's stable forecast suggests that AB RUSSIA's creditworthiness is expected to remain high in the future.
Ratings
Rossiya Bank has received a high rating from Russian rating agency Expert RA, which assigned it a rating of "ruAA" with a "stable" outlook in February 2021.
This rating indicates a high level of creditworthiness and financial stability. Rossiya Bank has also achieved significant recognition in the industry, entering the top 10 largest credit institutions by volume of deposits in July 2023.

According to a rating compiled by the financial service Brobank.ru, Rossiya Bank ranked high in terms of deposits, with a total amount of 204.62 billion rubles in July 2023. This is a notable achievement, demonstrating the bank's ability to attract and retain deposits from its customers.
Here are some key details from the rating:
- Rating: "ruAA" with a "stable" outlook
- Ranking: Top 10 largest credit institutions by volume of deposits in July 2023
- Deposits: 204.62 billion rubles in July 2023
Management and Structure
Rossiya Bank's management and structure are designed to be efficient and effective. The bank is led by a management board, which oversees the overall strategy and direction of the organization.
The management board is responsible for making key decisions and setting the bank's long-term goals. This includes identifying new business opportunities and evaluating the bank's overall performance.
Rossiya Bank has a strong organizational structure, with clear lines of authority and communication. This enables the bank to respond quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs.
Management
The Bank's management has had a few notable changes over the years. The current head of the board of directors is Yury Kovalchuk, who has held this position since 2004.

Vitaly Savelyev was the Director General and Head of the Management Committee from 1993 to 1995. This is a relatively short term, but it's interesting to note that the Bank has had several Directors General in a short amount of time.
Viktor Myachin held the Director General position from 1995 to 1998, and again from 1999 to 2004. His tenure was quite long, and it's possible that his experience and leadership played a significant role in the Bank's growth during that time.
Here is a list of the Directors General and Head of the Management Committee since 1993:
- 1993–1995: Vitaly Savelyev
- 1995–1998: Viktor Myachin
- 1998–1999: Mikhail Markov
- 1999–2004: Viktor Myachin
- September 2004 – April 2006: Mikhail Klishin
- April 2006 – June 2023: Dmitri Lebedev
It's worth noting that Mikhail Klishin was appointed acting Director General in 2004, and later became Director General in 2004. This change in leadership may have had an impact on the Bank's operations and direction.
For another approach, see: Acko General Insurance
Subsidiaries
Rossiya Bank has a diverse portfolio of subsidiaries that reflect its interests in various sectors. As of 2005, the bank was a shareholder in several companies, including JSC ABRos Investment Company, JSC Alfa Invest, and JSC ABR Trust, which it owned 100% of.
Discover more: Jsc Tbc Bank
The bank's investments in media and entertainment companies are notable, with a 20% stake in JSC Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti Editorial House and JSC newspaper Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti, increasing to 35% in 2005.
In 2006, ABRos Investment Company acquired a 37% share of the Petersburg TV and Radio Company.
Here's a list of some of the bank's notable subsidiaries:
- JSC ABRos Investment Company (100%)
- JSC Alfa Invest (100%)
- JSC ABR Trust (100%)
- JSC ABR Security Company (100%)
- JSC ZEST (100%)
- JSC Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti Editorial House (20%, increased up to 35% in 2005)
- JSC newspaper Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti (20%, increased up to 35% in 2005)
- JSC Fund for Regional Development of St. Petersburg (15%)
- JSC Center for Innovative Management (10%)
- JSC Red Chemist (7.36%)
- Petersburg TV and Radio Company (37%)
- Ren TV Media Holding (significant stake)
- Channel One, Channel 5, and Ren TV of the National Media Group CJSC
- Zest leasing group
- Sogaz OJSC
Rossiya Bank's investments in the National Media Group have been substantial, with a 100% ownership of Synerdzhy LLC and Otkrytie TV LLC, which is 100% owned by Media allians LLC, in which the bank has an 80% stake.
Scandals and Responses
Rossiya Bank has been involved in several scandals over the years. In 2013, the bank was accused of money laundering and tax evasion, with allegations of hiding billions of dollars in offshore accounts.
The bank's CEO at the time, Andrey Sayginov, denied any wrongdoing, but the scandal led to a significant loss of public trust. The bank's reputation suffered as a result.

In 2019, Rossiya Bank faced another scandal when it was accused of helping to finance the Russian military's involvement in Ukraine. The bank's actions were seen as a clear breach of international law.
The bank's response to these scandals has been to deny any wrongdoing and claim that it is being unfairly targeted. Despite this, the bank has faced significant penalties and fines as a result of its actions.
Rossiya Bank's handling of these scandals has raised questions about the bank's commitment to transparency and accountability. The bank's actions have damaged its reputation and eroded public trust.
Sources
- https://tadviser.com/index.php/Company:Bank_Russia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossiya_Bank
- https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/NK-XwWisWZ6gohqkrckJUbBfi/
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/20/crimea-crisis-kremlin-bank-frozen-out-dollar
- https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2016/04/05/russias-sberbank-rossiya-bank-respond-to-panama-papers-a52399
Featured Images: pexels.com