Latest articles from Russia

The Champion bank that came from nowhere

January 8, 2007

A series of mergers have given UralSib a highly diversified profile and turned it into Russia’s largest privately owned commercial bank. Ben Aris reports from Moscow.

Hot pursuit of clients in Russia’s coldest outposts

January 8, 2007

Based in western Siberia, Sibacadembank has been expanding virtually unopposed, attracting international suitors and making plans to float. Chairman Igor Kim talks to Ben Aris.

Russian derivatives go legit

December 4, 2006

Russia’s futures trading went mainstream in June after the Duma passed laws to make it a bona fide business. Ben Aris reports on how banks are gearing up to play in this as yet plain vanilla market.

Kremlin nurtures venture capital

November 6, 2006

Moscow hopes venture capital will boost investment and kick-start a high-tech industry that is sadly lacking funding. Ben Aris reports from Moscow.

Continued growth

November 6, 2006

Russia’s seventh year of economic expansion has fired growth in the country’s banking sector.

Ak Bars hones its ambitions

October 2, 2006

Tatarstan’s Ak Bars Bank is well on its way to fulfilling its aim of making Russia’s Top 10. John McCarthy reports.

Room for visitors

September 4, 2006

Construction of theatres, hotels and office blocks are planned or under way in the city centre, as industry is moved in favour of tourism and services.

Pushing the boat out

September 4, 2006

Foreign corporations are already moving into St Petersburg but the city is trying to make itself even more attractive through investor-friendly tax policies, simpler bureaucracy and better infrastructure. Jules Stewart reports.

Foreign banks in shopping spree

September 4, 2006

Being Europe’s fourth-largest city by population, St Petersburg is highly attractive to foreign banks, which are snapping up local players, and bringing in huge amounts of capital to offer in loans to corporates and consumers. By Jules Stewart.

Making the grade

September 4, 2006

Yury Molchanov, deputy governor of St Petersburg, explains what the city is doing to attract investors.

The Banker on Twitter