Leonid Ignat: "In Russia, money is more expensive by definition»

For Russian banks abroad output depends largely on the geography distribution: it is one thing, "neproblemny" market neighboring countries, and another - the western countries and the state of Asian destinations. Director of Information Policy and Public Affairs, Alfa-Bank "Leonid Ignat said bank.ru how developing banking business abroad, why in Western Europe is difficult to open a branch office and what is the main problem of domestic banks. - Why foreign market does not accept Russian banks? That does not give credit to our organization to become as competitive as foreign subsidiaries in Russia? - Russian banks have successfully developed in the former Soviet Union, the CIS countries. Developed overseas can not, primarily, the fact that we ourselves take the money in the West, where they are cheaper. And in Russia, money is more expensive by definition. In addition, it is extremely difficult to open a bank in Western Europe, where there are a lot of requirements and criteria. Abroad, there are separate representations of Russian banks (for example, we have a bank in the Netherlands, which is part of our banking group). But representation is created primarily for lending to corporate clients for their overseas investments and acquisitions. - What forms of commercial presence, most (offices, branches and subsidiaries)? Why is that? - Differently. There are also subsidiaries and representative offices. Representation is easier to open, but he and a much more modest set of features and services. - How hard is it to the Bank to obtain a license for the "foreign" activities? - If we talk about the CIS countries, this is quite normal. But as the West, it is difficult enough, there are lots of requirements and criteria. For example, in England rather protectionist legislation in favor of local banks, and open a branch of a foreign bank is very, very difficult. - Why did the bulk of Russian banks represented abroad, in Europe and the CIS countries? Why is the weakness of the Asian direction? - Asian direction more closed than Western Europe. And the main catch here is again the issue price of money, cheaper than in our country. - What are the geographical focus is developing your bank? What are the difficulties encountered? - Most of the CIS countries. With any particular challenges we faced and successfully operate in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. In the future, consider the other republics of the former Soviet Union. - In the future, how will the Russian banks behind the hill? Can you talk about a positive trend? - Russian banks will undoubtedly develop in the CIS countries, where they are successful local credit institutions. And the reason is simple - the domestic money is cheaper, so we can offer favorable credit terms. And another plus - we have still a mentality, it is easier to find common language with each other.