Official: Several foreign banks reject Russia’s bond offer

MOSCOW, Feb 25 (PRIME) -- Several foreign investment banks have rejected Russia’s offer to organize placement of the country’s bonds, but Moscow still has options to choose from, Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak told reporters Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. asked several top U.S. banks to turn down “a potentially lucrative but politically risky Russian bond deal, saying it would undermine international sanctions on Moscow.”

“Many banks did not respond (to Russia’s request), I am unable to name the exact amount, but many did not return to us with our proposal. This means that they will not participate. But not all of them refused, we have some of them to choose from in any way,” Storchak said.

On February 5, the ministry sent a request to 20 foreign and three domestic banks – including Barclays, BNP Paribas, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bank of China, Sberbank CIB, Gazprombank, and VTB Capital – seeking provision of services for the placement of Eurobonds in 2016.

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