Economists positively evaluate the decision of Sber shareholders to pay dividends in 2022 in the amount of 565 billion rubles, or 25 rubles per share, according to the press service of the bank.
“During the meeting, the shareholders supported the recommendation of the Supervisory Board to pay a record dividend of 565 billion rubles at the rate of 25 rubles per share. It is very meaningful for us that this amount will be paid after the results of a difficult 2022. Half of these funds will be paid to the state budget as our controlling shareholder. “The second half goes to more than 1.5 million people who are our private shareholders,” said German Gref, President and Chairman of the Board of Sberbank.
According to economists, the bank has learned to live in sanctions conditions and will continue to strengthen the position of the credit institution if economic shocks do not occur.
Andrey Stolyarov, Deputy Head of Infrastructure and Financial Markets Department at the Higher School of Economics, Candidate of Economic Sciences, says that the story of Sberbank’s dividend payments has had a strong positive impact on the Russian market.
“In fact, for a long time Sberbank was the main engine of the market for a long time, because other securities have already been drawn to it. As for this payment, I think it should happen. The idea is that more than 50% are state owned, these dividends are needed by the budget. At the same time, Sberbank made a profit, and the bank has the opportunity to take such a step,” he said.
According to him, the largest losses from Sberbank have long passed. “Lending is growing and this trend will continue if nothing unexpected happens. “The market reacted positively to the news about the intention to pay dividends.”
In turn, Alexander Tsyganov, head of the Department of Insurance and Social Economy of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, noted that the decision to pay dividends by Sberbank is expected and quite probable.
“This will show that the bank not only has a high level of current financial stability and profits for the year, but also has good development prospects. The dividend payment will signal to private investors that it is an interesting option to invest their funds. We will also consider the owner of the controlling stake – the National Wealth Fund of Russia, which will thus be replenished, ”the expert said.