The fate of the residents

VTB - one of the most active anti-crisis measures of the Government of the Russian Federation since the beginning of the confrontation negative trends in the economy. It is on one side. On the other, VTB - one of the experts who sufficiently understands and feels what is happening today with the economy at all levels. Sergei Sopov, manager of the branch of VTB in Novosibirsk, said the trends of regional and at the same time shares the understanding the general situation in the banking sector, in production. Sergey Viktorovich, today the question on everyone: the banks have already gone through a time of uncertainty, or have not yet reached bottom, and measures taken by the Government to maintain the financial sector, only postponed the collapse? If we talk about VTB, we are working in the same direction, which was identified to us by the Government. As you know, it comes to supporting and providing the necessary financial resources strategically important industries and companies. This is what concerns us. The banking system as a whole, in my opinion, shows today are much more stable than the real economy. Number of defaults, as you can see, the system is minimal. But those measures and a strategy that had been identified by the Government and the Central Bank, seems to be working. After all, managed to avoid major disruptions in the banking sector, and primarily with investors. It is very important that the financial market panic has not happened, which only a few months ago, could begin at any time and thus destroy a lot of credit organizations. These stories, you know, it was plenty. But the payment system is not broken, and this can be considered the first victory. Today the government is continuing to develop and take necessary action in response to the current situation. Our task - to minimize all possible risks of negative impact on the economy. Nevertheless, sound predictions that this year the banking sector will end with a loss of 800 billion rubles. Do you agree with this assessment? This is possible if we consider the issue in the complex. At the moment it is not necessary task to ensure the profitability of the sector. In the present situation it is important that he survived. Now you need to save the economy and businesses. That is, if you already speak directly about the interests of the banking sector - to retain its customer base, efficient company, organization, production. This is one of your goals and at the same time the main task of the state. But now, without exception, banks are more cautious lending policy. And here, too important not to overreact, because caution and can be reduced to absurdity. As you know, some even refuse to credit. You do not afford you can, but the emphasis changed? With the onset of the crisis, all banks, including VTB, revised credit policy. Of course, the shortage of liquidity and the increased risks they are more careful and rigorous approach to estimating the sources of resources and return the financial condition of the borrower, the analysis of the types and quality of security. Therefore, the natural way for many structures there was a reduction of volumes of credit. With VTB and Sberbank, as you know, the situation is different. This backbone of the organization. And on the one hand, and they and we, too, there was tightening monetary policy. But on the other - in December last year the Government has been tasked to banks in 2009 to ensure the growth of corporate credit portfolios for at least two percent per month. That is the method of compound interest is obtained about 27 per year. And for the first quarter VTB increased its portfolio to 120 billion rubles, which corresponds to eight percent increase. So while we are coping with the plan. With regard to the Novosibirsk branch of VTB, today, the loan portfolio branch is 12 billion 578 million rubles. Of course, the crisis changed the structure of loan portfolio: about 90 per cent are for loans to large corporate clients. But there is still some years the strategic direction for the VTB is to support the regional average business. And where now there are mostly borrowed funds? In the defense industry, machine building, transport, communications, in areas that provide vital functions: trade and production of consumer goods. In addition, due to credits completed construction of housing. Economy of Novosibirsk diversified lending diverse - and this is what allows us to minimize their risks. Potential in the region is very large, so that is no coincidence here is so high competition among banks. The fight for customers and is now quite tense. Although, of course, risks are assessed in each individual case and somehow compensate them: Somewhere additional mutual sureties companies, somewhere - increased collateral. Importantly - the quality of the portfolio. This is given maximum attention. And then, the bank - not lombard organization, we analyze the sources of return: now more closely, with documentary evidence. Loans are granted to companies that can maximize their use and timely return. With regard to interest rates: not so long ago had information that there has been some, albeit small (0.77%), decrease. This is the beginning of a positive trend? No, more likely, some minor fluctuations, if we talk about the current situation. You see, what's the problem: before, the largest Russian banks, including VTB, actively borrowed money abroad. It was cheaper and loans carried over longer periods. Now these channels do not work. Moreover, public funds and large private corporations that are actively placed in state banks are gradually becoming fewer. No external borrowing and reduction of corporations is now due to placement of public resources through unsecured securities auctions. We participate in them, but the rates, despite the fact that Sberbank and VTB - are structures that are responsible for the development of regional economy, no privileges in the Central Bank did not have. We raise funds in general practice. At present, the rate reaches 16-18 percent. Accordingly, in such a situation cheap money in Russia is not. VTB can not afford for some priority sectors adding the minimum margin that does not bear an additional burden on the real economy, that is the minimum pledge for a return. The market cash settlement operations began the second wave of redistribution. Companies insure their risks and to move to more secure banks. You are therefore experiencing an increased interest in himself? Yes, we are actively involved in this. Now is really a good time, which allows state banks to consolidate and expand its customer base. Reliability is, of course, plays a key role in this process. Because when you get a loan - you take people's money, but cash-cash transactions - it is their own funds. Incidentally, during the crisis, VTB has never raised rates on cash and settlement servicing. And we continue to pay interest on balances in demand both in rubles and foreign currencies. Another of the most significant trends in crisis time: clients who are on our cash service, increasingly in the lead bank of their contractors to optimize their own costs and timescales for internal calculations. Besides, I want to note: now a very active demand for the provision of bank guarantees. It is also linked to the desire of companies to hedge their risks. Since the connections and relationships that evolved over the years, now no longer work, a lot depends on external factors, from buyers or suppliers, the situation with them, so contractors want to protect themselves. Bank guarantees in this situation more than welcome. Guarantee payment or delivery of goods and guarantees that kind. Has the structure of the deposit portfolio of the branch in a crisis? Of course, the so-called conditions of uncertainty could not affect the customers' preferences. The last six months especially popular deposit overnight (accommodation facilities for one day) and time deposits for short periods (30, 60, 90 days). And the last question. In the development of regional economy on your part is considered the wishes of the regional administrations, their long-and short-term, one way or another connected with the development of the real economy? Of course, because, firstly, we are implementing a strategy that is given its head office and the Government of the Russian Federation, respectively, it is a priority of the regional authorities. Besides, we know that there is a list of strategic companies in the development of the area where the administration is concerned, and on this list we are working. In particular, working with a group of companies "New trading system", c "Novosibirskavtodorom, Novosibirskenergo, Iskitimtsement, defense enterprises. So we are aware of all the regional programs, which are in fact a logical complement to government objectives to develop the economy of the country.