Sberbank Reports Record $22Bln Profit in 2025 - The Moscow Times
Moscow Times
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Sberbank reported a historic net profit of $22 billion in 2025, marking its third consecutive year of growth despite facing stringent Western sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This achievement, driven by a 7.9% increase over 2024's figure of $1.58 trillion rubles, underscores the bank's resilience and strategic focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations. Sberbank CEO Herman Gref highlighted AI as a key driver of growth, emphasizing its role in enhancing efficiency and fostering a "human-centric" business model. The bank also boasts a robust customer base, serving 110.7 million retail clients across Russia and former Soviet republics.
Sberbank's success is particularly notable given the challenges it faced in 2022 when sanctions forced its withdrawal from European markets and disrupted global payment systems. The bank rebounded strongly in 2023 with a profit of $1.49 trillion rubles, reversing a significant decline from the prior year. Gref's focus on scaling AI tools across platforms reflects Sberbank's commitment to innovation and efficiency, which has been pivotal in navigating economic pressures.
The bank's financial stability is crucial for Russia's federal budget, as dividends from state-controlled companies like Sberbank constitute a vital revenue source amidst rising war-related expenses. Despite being one of the first Russian entities targeted by Western sanctions in 2022, Sberbank has managed to expand its presence and enhance profitability through strategic digital transformation and customer-focused strategies.
This achievement holds global significance as it highlights Russia's economic
Verticals
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Originally published on Moscow Times on 2/26/2026