Nomos-Bank has been holding negotiations with Zapsibcombank over the latter’s purchase, Nomos-Bank’s representatives told Banki.ru.
“We’re negotiating about the bank’s purchase. But make no comments," said the lending institution’s representative.
Meanwhile, according to online newspaper Znak.com, a decision in principle to divest Zapsibcombank was made by the Tyumen region’s governor Vladimir Yakushev and also by the bank’s shareholder and president Dmitry Goritsky. Bank of Khanty-Mansiysk could also be a potential buyer. Previously Vladimir Yakushev led Zapsibcombank.
Talking about the reasons behind the bank’s sale, sources at public authorities name several factors, including an upcoming shift of banks to the Basel III standards, CBR’s tougher requirements for disclosure of information on owners and capital requirements. Furthermore, the bank’s shareholders decided that it’s more profitable “to cash out” at the time when the lending institution’s indicators peak, and elections will be conducted in 2015 to elect a new governor of the Tyumen region.
A source familiar with the lending institution’s shareholder said that at issue is not selling the bank as a whole, but just an equity stake, the size of which is being discussed. That is the bank is looking not for a buyer itself, but a strategic investor. Meanwhile, the scheme is as follows: every current shareholder of the bank will sell a part of its holding to a new partner.
