Sberbank reported individual cross-border M&A deals

In 2026, Sberbank’s portfolio included cross-border M&A deals involving the purchase of assets abroad by Russian owners, the bank’s first deputy chairman Alexander Vedyakhin told RBC on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum. He did not name the exact number of such transactions, citing the sensitivity of the information.

Vedyakhin said that Sber helps Russian clients buy businesses abroad and considers this one of the most promising areas for them. According to him, entrepreneurs need access to new markets.

He explained that such projects usually go either through built-up exports or through partnership. Large clients, he said, look for a partner with whom they can take an equity stake, buy out an asset completely or almost completely.

Vedyakhin called such deals very, very confidential and noted that inside the bank they are kept in a specially protected environment. He added that clients try to make the purchase with their own money and then replenish liquidity through ruble loans in Russia for other purposes.

According to him, there are currently no standard M&A deals in which the bank provides money in foreign currency for a purpose outside Russia and then receives the asset as collateral.

Sources

• RBC