Stepan Otarov

PJSC Center-invest Bank

Center-invest Bank is the leading private bank in southern Russia, accounting for over 30% of the total capital, assets, loans and deposits of the region's local banks. We provide retail customers and businesses in southern Russia with a wide range of modern banking services and products. Center-invest Bank was founded in 1992 by southern Russia's first privatised enterprises and a team of university professors. The bank rapidly became something of a "laboratory" for the region, providing solutions to the problems of reform in Russia, introducing best international practice, and promoting southern Russia internationally. By working actively with international financial institutions (IFC, EBRD, KfW, DEG, OeEB, FMO, EDB and BSTDB), Center-invest Bank has introduced best practice throughout its operations: in corporate governance, risk management, internal control, strategic and business planning, product development, business operations, information technologies, financial reporting, staff development, and information disclosure. The bank's many years of experience in localising best international practice have culminated in its implementation in southern Russia of a sustainable banking business model. As defined by the UN World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development means "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Under this business model, Center-invest Bank pursues policies that are consistent with both the immediate and the long-term interests of its shareholders, customers and employees. Center-invest Bank's guiding principles are: social and environmental responsibility, operational efficiency, best-practice risk management, long-term profitability and organic growth.