VTBR.L Regulatory News (VTBR)

14 Jul 2008 15:24

14 July, 2008

VTB Bank: Disposal of holding in AK "Alrosa" (ZAO)

Moscow - July 14 2008: In line with its stated policy of increasing balance sheet efficiency by the sale of non-core assets, VTB Bank has disposed of its entire holding of 21,253 shares (10.63 %) in AK "Alrosa" (ZAO) as part of the agreement with the Federal Property Management Agency (Rosimushchestvo). According to the provisions of the transation, the cash proceeds for the deal amounts to RUR 8.7 billion. The finalization of settlements and procedures related to the transaction are expected to be completed within the third quarter of 2008.

Some of the information in this press release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of VTB. You can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "will," "could," "may" or "might," or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. VTB does not intend to or undertake any obligation to update these statements to reflect events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Many factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in VTB's projections or forward-looking statements, including, among others, general economic and market conditions, VTB's competitive environment, risks associated with operating in Russia, rapid technological and market change, and other factors specifically related to VTB and its operations.This document does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any securities of VTB or any of its subsidiaries, nor shall any part of it nor the fact of its distribution form part of or be relied on in connection with any contract or investment decision relating thereto, nor does it constitute a recommendation regarding the securities of VTB or any of its subsidiaries. Information contained in this document is not an offer, or an invitation to make offers, sell, purchase, exchange or transfer any securities in Russia or to or for the benefit of any Russian person or any person in Russia, and does not constitute an advertisement of any securities in Russia.

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Enquiries:

Investor Relations: 

Tel.: +7 495 775 71 39

Email: investorrelations@vtb.ru

Media Relations: 

Tel.: +7 495 783 1717

Email: pr1@vtb.ru

NOTES TO EDITORS

About VTB 

JSC VTB Bank and its subsidiaries (the VTB Group or the Group) is a leading Russian banking group, offering a wide range of banking services and products across Russia, certain CIS countries and in selected countries of Western Europe, Asia and Africa. 

As of December 31, 2007 the Group had a network of 583 branches located across Russia, comprised of 152 branches of VTB, 328 branches of VTB24 and 103 branches of VTB North-West. Outside of Russia, the Group operates through four subsidiary banks located in the CIS (Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus), six subsidiary banks located in Europe (UK, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Cyprus), one subsidiary bank and one financial company in Africa (Angola, Namibia), and an associated bank in Vietnam. VTB also has a presence in Singapore through a branch of its UK subsidiary. VTB has operated under a full banking license, № 1000, from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation since 1990.

The Group's business franchise is in the areas of corporate, retail and investment banking. In corporate banking, the Group provides a broad range of commercial banking services and products including corporate lending, foreign trade transactions, syndicated loans, deposit and settlement services, as well as custody services, leasing and treasury services to large- and medium-sized corporations and financial institutions. In retail banking, VTB offers financial services, including deposit accounts, lending and certain ancillary services, to individuals and small-sized corporations. In investment banking it provides debt capital markets underwriting, project financing, merger and acquisition financing, advisory services, asset management and venture funds.

The Group had 35,945 employees as of December 31, 2007. The Government of the Russian Federation is VTB's main shareholder and owns, through the Federal Property Management Agency, 77.5 % of its registered share capital. For more information please visit www.vtb.com 

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