After nine years of deliberation, Sberbank decided to enter the Crimean market.
Photo: Shutterstock
After nine years of deliberation, Sberbank decided to enter the Crimean market.
– We have formed a team and are starting work on the Crimean peninsula. The first ATMs have already been installed and, within a year, a network of self-service devices will be launched throughout the peninsula. Gradually, throughout 2023, the bank’s offices will open, and the first of them will start operating in the largest cities in the first six months, the Sber press service explained.
It is expected that during the year, residents and visitors to the peninsula will have access to all the services of the state bank. The former will no longer have to travel to Taman to register. And the latter will be able to withdraw cash and use cards during the holidays.
Remember that earlier Sberbank was afraid to enter the Crimean market. The bank’s management believed that this could lead to sanctions. But after the spring of last year, the doubts disappeared. Sber has already fallen under the toughest US blockade sanctions. He also lost his business in Europe. So Sber has nothing to lose.
Furthermore, competition in Crimea remains low. Until recently, only a few small credit organizations worked there. And only last year a large bank appeared – the “defense” PSB. By the way, it also fell under blocking sanctions.