Russia Largest Banks: A Comprehensive Overview

Russia's banking sector has experienced significant growth and development over the years, with several banks emerging as major players in the market.

Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, has a market share of around 30% and operates over 14,000 branches across the country.

The bank's extensive network and diverse product offerings have contributed to its success, making it a go-to choice for both individual and corporate customers.

One of the key factors behind Sberbank's dominance is its strong online presence, with a user-friendly mobile app and a wide range of digital services.

VTB Bank, another major player, has a significant presence in the Russian market, with a network of over 20,000 employees and a wide range of financial products and services.

VTB's international operations are also notable, with a presence in over 20 countries worldwide.

Gazprombank, a subsidiary of the state-owned gas company Gazprom, has a significant market share in the Russian banking sector.

Gazprombank's business model is focused on serving the country's energy sector, providing financing and other banking services to companies in the industry.

The largest bank in Russia is Sberbank, with the Central Bank of Russia owning 50% of its authorized capital. Sberbank has been publicly traded in Russia since 1996 and is listed in the Frankfurt stock exchange.

Sberbank is followed by VTB, the second largest bank in Russia, with the government owning 60% of its shares. VTB's shares are among the most liquid in the entire Federation.

VTB has a significant presence across the Russian Federation, with over 500 offices delivering quality and customer-friendly services to clients. Gazprombank, another major player, has also made a name for itself, being declared the bank of the year by Banker magazine in both 2001 and 2005.

Here are the top 5 largest banks in Russia:

SberbankVTBGazprombankAlfa BankPromSvyazBank

Sberbank is the largest bank in Russia in terms of total assets, a position it has held since 2014. It's a state-owned credit institution, with the Central Bank of Russia owning 50% of its authorized capital.

Sberbank has a long history, dating back to 1841, and is headquartered in Moscow. The bank employs over 250,000 people and has more than 137 million retail clients.

Sberbank's shares have been publicly traded in Russia since 1996 and are also available to trade over the counter in the US and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Over 43% of the bank's authorized capital is owned by foreigners.

Despite experiencing a 14% fall in Tier 1 capital and a 32% fall in profits, Sberbank remains twice the size of its closest rival.

Russia's banking system has undergone significant changes since the Soviet era.

The country now has approximately 1,183 financial organizations and 3,286 regional branches.

While the top 3 largest banks in Russia get most of the attention, there are many other notable banks in the country.

Gazprombank is a significant player in the Russian banking sector, ranking third among the country's largest banks.

Founded in 1990, Gazprombank has a long history and a strong connection to the Russian government, with Gazprom, a company that extracts and sells natural gas, being its largest shareholder.

Gazprombank offers a wide range of services, including retail, corporate, and investment banking, as well as FOREX, securities, and precious metals operations.

The bank has an extensive branch and outlet network across Russia, making it easily accessible to clients.

Gazprombank provides a comprehensive suite of services catering to both personal and corporate clients, including deposits, depository services, brokerage services, and private banking.

For corporate clients, the bank offers documentary transactions, trade finance, financial solutions, precious metal trading, and various deposit options.

Gazprombank also supports financial institutions with trade finance, interbank lending, and correspondent account maintenance.

In 2014, the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, which had a significant impact on the bank's operations.

Despite this setback, Gazprombank continues to offer its services to clients, with a focus on customer service and personalized assistance.

The bank emphasizes customer service, providing multiple contact options and a feedback form for personalized assistance.

In 2001 and 2005, Banker magazine declared Gazprombank its bank of the year, a testament to the bank's strong reputation and performance.

However, in 2016, Gazprombank experienced a dramatic 987% drop in profits, highlighting the challenges the bank faced during that time.

Gazprombank's investment services include brokerage, depository services, and private banking, with a focus on high-net-worth capital management.

VTB Bank is the second largest bank in Russia, offering a wide array of services tailored to meet the needs of corporate clients.

The bank's key services include transaction management, documentary operations, lending, savings and investment products, custody services, and trade and export finance. These services cater to the diverse needs of corporate clients.

VTB Bank has an extensive international presence with offices in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and over 20 subsidiaries. This global reach enables the bank to provide services to clients across different regions.

The bank excels in digital banking with platforms like VTB Online, Internet-Client, and Mobile Client. This makes it easy for clients to access their services remotely.

VTB Bank has a comprehensive coverage of all financial market segments and 362 worldwide offices. This extensive network makes it a formidable player in the banking industry.

Alfa-Bank is known as "The most phygital bank", offering a unique blend of digital and physical banking experiences.

The bank provides a wide range of services, including credit cards, savings accounts, debit cards, mortgages, loans, and investments.

Alfa-Bank emphasizes ESG principles, focusing on societal benefits, environmental care, and a healthy corporate environment.

The bank caters to both individual and corporate clients, with recent innovations allowing large corporate customers to open accounts online.

Alfa-Bank is regulated by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and is headquartered in Moscow.

Russian Agricultural Bank, also known as RusAg, is a state-owned bank with a strong focus on agribusiness finance. It operates 65 branches and over 14,000 points of sale, serving more than 10 million clients.

RusAg is a significant player in the Russian banking sector, with a robust international presence. It collaborates with business partners, institutional investors, and credit rating agencies to support its operations.

The bank's subsidiaries include RSHB Insurance, RSHB-Life Insurance, RSHB Asset Management, RSHB Leasing, and RSHB Factoring, which enhance its service portfolio.

RusAg is one of the largest banks in Russia, with a significant number of branches across the country. It operates 77 branches and 1,300 offices, making it the second-largest bank in terms of branch numbers.

Here's a brief overview of some of the key facts about RusAg:

RusAg's focus on agribusiness finance makes it a valuable partner for farmers and agricultural businesses in Russia. Its commitment to supporting the State Program on Agribusiness Development through 2025 and other state initiatives demonstrates its importance in the sector.