Question 1

What is Derzhava Bank?

Accepted Answer

Derzhava Bank (АКБ Держава ПАО) is a Russian commercial bank specializing in financial services for medium and small businesses, with additional offerings for retail customers. Operating as a single-office bank headquartered in Moscow, Derzhava has established itself as a significant player in Russia's financial markets, particularly known for its expertise in bank guarantees, securities trading, and corporate banking services.

As of January 2025, the bank reports approximately 15.2 billion rubles in capital and 36.1 billion rubles in total assets. The bank holds universal banking license number 2738 from the Central Bank of Russia and is a participant in the deposit insurance system.

Question 2

When was Derzhava Bank founded?

Accepted Answer

Derzhava Bank was officially registered by the Central Bank of Russia on March 5, 1994. The bank was founded by Anatoly Gusarov along with his sons Vladimir and Viktor Gusarov, and Sergey Entts, who established ZAO Simplex-91 as the initiating entity.

The bank developed rapidly through the mid-1990s, initially serving major corporate clients including ALROSA (Almazy Rossii - Sakha) diamond company and Moscow City Telephone Network (MGTS). During this period, Derzhava became an active participant in government debt securities markets and corporate bill trading, particularly for Gazprom and ALROSA securities.

The 1998 Russian financial crisis significantly impacted the bank, as its investments in government bonds were nearly equal to its capital at that time. Following crisis restructuring, the bank underwent strategic repositioning and joined the deposit insurance system in December 2004. In December 2014, the bank reorganized as a public joint-stock company (ПАО).

Question 3

Where is Derzhava Bank headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Derzhava Bank is headquartered in Moscow at Bolshoy Savvinsky Lane, 2, Building 9, 119435, Russian Federation. The location is accessible via the Frunzenskaya and Kievskaya metro stations.

The bank operates as a mono-office institution without branch offices, conducting all operations from its Moscow headquarters.

Question 4

Where does Derzhava Bank operate?

Accepted Answer

Derzhava Bank operates primarily in Moscow and serves clients throughout the Russian Federation. While the bank maintains only a single office in Moscow, it extends its geographical reach through digital banking platforms and remote service delivery methods.

The bank provides bank guarantees for public procurement across all regions of Russia. Through its participation in the HandyBank payment system and electronic document exchange platforms, Derzhava serves corporate and individual clients nationally without requiring physical branch presence.

Question 5

What services does Derzhava Bank offer?

Accepted Answer

Derzhava Bank offers a comprehensive range of banking services with particular emphasis on corporate and business banking:

Corporate Banking: The bank specializes in serving medium and small businesses with customized financial solutions, including business loans, corporate accounts, cash management services, and settlement operations. It provides bank guarantees for contract performance, commercial guarantees, and guarantees for capital repairs in the housing and utilities sector.

Securities and Investment Services: Derzhava holds licenses for brokerage, dealer, and depository activities. The bank is an official market maker on the Moscow Exchange for Russian government debt instruments (OFZ and Eurobonds), federal loan bond futures, as well as stock, currency, and derivatives markets.

Retail Banking: Individual customers can access deposit accounts, consumer loans, payment cards (including VISA International cards), foreign currency exchange, safe deposit boxes, and securities operations.

Digital Services: The bank provides remote banking through the HandyBank online banking system, allowing 24/7 account access, fund transfers, bill payments, tax and utility payments, airline ticket booking, and electronic wallet management. Corporate clients have access to the Derzhava Online information-analytical system for electronic document exchange.

Foreign Trade Services: The bank offers currency conversion operations, currency control services, and customs cards for participants in foreign economic activity.

The bank is a member of SWIFT (international telecommunications system), the Association of Russian Banks, VISA International, and participates in trading on all Moscow Exchange markets.

Question 6

What makes Derzhava Bank unique?

Accepted Answer

Market Maker Status: Derzhava Bank was the first official market maker on the Moscow Exchange for Russian government debt securities (OFZ and Ministry of Finance Eurobonds). The bank continues to hold significant market maker positions across multiple trading instruments including federal loan bond futures, maintaining a substantial share of total trading activity.

Bank Guarantee Expertise: The bank has historically ranked among Russia's top 20 banks by total outstanding guarantee volume. According to RBC ratings, Derzhava offers some of the best bank guarantee conditions in Russia, alongside major institutions like Otkritie, Rosbank, SMP Bank, and UniCredit Bank. The bank has issued over 360,000 guarantees totaling approximately 621 billion rubles (around 6.9 billion USD equivalent).

Specialized Business Focus: Unlike universal retail banks, Derzhava maintains a deliberate strategic focus on medium and small business clients, developing deep expertise in understanding Russian business needs and creating tailored financial solutions rather than standardized products.

Single-Office Model: Operating without traditional branch networks, the bank has built a technology-driven service delivery model that allows nationwide reach while maintaining operational efficiency and personalized client relationships from its Moscow headquarters.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Derzhava Bank?

Accepted Answer

Derzhava Bank is classified as a universal bank (банк с универсальной лицензией) under Russian banking regulations, holding General License number 2738 issued by the Central Bank of Russia on December 16, 2014.

While holding universal banking status allowing it to conduct the full range of banking operations, Derzhava functions primarily as a commercial bank with specialized focus on corporate and business banking services. The bank is structured as a public joint-stock company (публичное акционерное общество - ПАО), and operates as a professional securities market participant with multiple licenses including brokerage, dealer, and depository activities.

As of January 2025, the bank's ownership structure is primarily held by closed-end mutual investment fund "Globus" (98.07%), managed by Management Company "Mir Finansov" (World of Finance). The bank employs approximately 269 staff members and is led by Chairman of the Board Alexey Skorodumov, who has held the position since 2016.

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About Derzhava Bank in Russia