Report: Sberbank to meet dividend obligations in future

MOSCOW, Sep 22 (PRIME) -- Russia’s top bank Sberbank will meet its dividend obligations in the future, CEO German Gref said in an interview with Rossiya 24 television channel, released on Tuesday.

“I hope that in the future we will fulfil our obligations unless we are unable to due to the external environment and marcoeconomic reasons, the global situation,” he said.

Sberbank returned to its usual profit growth trend in August, and does not see excessive deposit withdrawal now, he also said.

“In August, we returned to our usual profit growth trend. In the month, we registered a 3% year-on-year rise of the net profit,” he said.

Gref also said that Sberbank’s Belarusian unit currently has problems with Belarusian ruble cash liquidity.

The Russian central bank may additionally reduce the key rate, but the potential is not large, Gref also said, adding that mortgage lending rates may decrease correspondingly.

On September 18, the regulator retained the interest rate at 4.25% annually.

Gref also said that national flagship carrier Aeroflot has difficulties to serve its debts in light of the international air connection restrictions, linked to the coronavirus pandemic, but will weather the situation.

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