Sberbank is now calming and assuring its clients that the possible sale of the bank won't influence the contractual relations between the bank and its clients. Sberbank is not commenting the reasons for its withdrawal from the Slovenian market. Problems the Russian owner has are supposedly the main reason behind the decision. The bank has already pulled out of Slovakia, and is also announcing the sale of its other companies in the Balkans.

The Russian bank opened its first branch office in Slovenia in January 2013. Its entry on the Slovenian market was aggressive and according to experts it led an inappropriate advertising campaign to get clients. However, the bank's efforts obviously paid off. Last year the number of clients rose by 30 percent, the bank's deposits also grew by 30%, while the bank issued 40 percent more loans.

But the bank is now pulling out of the Slovenian market. The bank's management refuses to talk to the camera. In a statement it wrote that the process of the potential sale will not change anything for the bank's clients. The bank will continue doing business as normal.

Sberbank has a 6 percent market share. Analysts say the figure is a big accomplishment for just two years on the market. However it is evidently not enough for the bank's owner. The Russian bank is mostly dependent on its domestic Russian demand, which has decreased due to western sanctions. Another problem is the low price of oil.

Vesna Zadravec, TV Slovenija;
translated by K. J.