VTB Group announces IFRS results for 2014

13 March 2015

VTB Group today publishes its Consolidated Financial Statements with the Independent Auditor's Report for the year ended 31 December 2014.

Andrey Kostin, VTB President and Chairman of the Management Board, said: '2014 was a very challenging year for both the Russian economy and the banking sector, and in this context I am satisfied that VTB's business model has demonstrated its resilience in the face of the economic downturn. During 2014, our clients were affected by an economic slowdown and tough geopolitical environment, as well as by the rapid depreciation of the rouble and subsequent spike in interest rates. This led to elevated risk costs for VTB, which in turn resulted in subdued net profit despite our very strong operational results.

In this environment the Russian state, our main shareholder, has provided timely and adequate support to the banking sector, enabling systemically important banks, including VTB, to maintain strong capital and funding bases, and thus to continue providing credit to strategically important sectors of the economy. While the operating environment is expected to remain difficult in the medium term, we believe we are well positioned to further strengthen our franchise. Our top priorities will continue to be maintaining a high quality of client service across all business segments, further improving cost efficiency, and adhering to conservative risk management policies.'

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

Income Statement

RUB billion	2014	2013	Change, % or p.p.
Net interest income	354.3	323.0	9.7%
Net fee and commission income	63.1	55.4	13.9%
Operating income before provisions	547.5	429.3	27.5%
Provision charge for impairment*	(275.4)	(99.2)	177.6%
Staff costs and administrative expenses	(239.3)	(210.9)	13.5%
Net profit	0.8	100.5	(99.2%)
Return on equity	0.1%	11.8%	(11.7 p.p.)

* Including provision charge for impairment of debt financial assets and provision charge for impairment of other assets, credit related commitments and legal claims.

- In an extremely challenging operating and geopolitical environment VTB Group posted strong pre-provision operating income for FY 2014, supported by healthy year-on-year growth of net interest income (+9.7%) and net fee and commission income (+13.9%).

- The Group's net interest margin ('NIM') contracted during the year, mainly driven by increases in the Central Bank of Russia's (CBR) key rate. The sharp hike in the CBR's rate from 10.5% to 17.0% in December 2014 had a significant impact on the Group's cost of funds and NIM, which contracted to 3.5% in 4Q 2014 (from 4.1% in 3Q 2014) and to 4.1% in FY 2014 versus 4.5% in FY 2013.

- The challenging economic environment in Russia and the crisis in Ukraine contributed to an increase in the Group's cost of risk ('CoR') to 3.4% of average gross loans and advances to customers in FY 2014 from 1.6% in FY 2013. In 4Q 2014 the Group saw a quarter-on-quarter increase in the annualised CoR to 4.6% versus 3.4% in 3Q 2014. The total of provision charge for impairment of debt financial assets and provision charge for impairment of other assets, credit related commitments and legal claims increased to RUB 275.4 billion for FY 2014, versus RUB 99.2 billion in FY 2013.

- Staff costs and administrative expenses amounted to RUB 239.3 billion in FY 2014, up 13.5% year-on-year, compared to 16.4% year-on-year growth in FY 2013. The Group posted a considerable year-on-year improvement in its cost-to-income ratio, which stood at 43.7% in FY 2014 versus 49.1% in FY 2013.

Statement of financial position

RUB billion	31 Dec 2014	31 Dec 2013	Change, % or p.p.
Total assets	12,190.8	8,768.5	39.0%
Cash and short term funds	695.2	354.3	96.2%
Loans and advances to customers, including pledged under repurchase agreements (gross)	9,150.4	6,620.7	38.2%
Corporate gross loans	7,205.3	5,099.9	41.3%
Gross loans to individuals	1,945.1	1,520.8	27.9%
Customer deposits	5,669.4	4,383.4	29.3%
Corporate deposits	3,520.3	2,590.0	35.9%
Deposits from individuals	2,149.1	1,793.4	19.8%
NPL ratio	5.8%	4.7%	1.1 p.p.
Tier 1 ratio	9.8%	10.9%	(1.1 p.p.)
Total CAR	12.0%	14.7%	(2.7 p.p.)

- Expansion of the Group's loan portfolios across all business segments and USD appreciation against the rouble (by 67% in FY 2014 and 43% in 4Q 2014) were the key drivers behind the growth of the Group's loans and advances to customers. More than a quarter of the Group's customer loans are denominated in USD.

- Loan-book quality developed in line with macroeconomic and banking sector trends in 2014. The NPL ratio was 5.8% of gross customer loans, including those pledged under repurchase agreements (the 'total loan book'), as of 31 December 2014 versus 4.7% as of 31 December 2013.

- VTB has adjusted its corporate lending policies to limit new issuance of FX-denominated credit by tightening collateral requirements and overall origination policies in response to adverse macroeconomic conditions. The Group continued to adhere to conservative provisioning policies, driving the allowance for loan impairments to 6.7% of the total loan book as of 31 December 2014, compared to 5.5% at the start of the year. The NPL coverage ratio remained at a conservative level of 114.8% as of 31 December 2014, versus 115.5% as of 31 December 2013.

- The Group's customer deposits grew by 29.3% during 2014, mainly reflecting the Group's strong deposit-taking capacity in its core businesses, including a solid increase in deposits from corporate clients, as well as the revaluation of FX-denominated deposits during the period.

- Given the riskier operating environment and revaluation of the Group's FX-denominated assets, VTB's top priority continues to be strengthening its capital base and capital adequacy ratios. In September 2014, following a decision of VTB's Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders, the Group converted subordinated loans received by its banks in 2008 (as part of the Russian Government's support package) into new preference shares that have Common Equity Tier 1 treatment under Basel III and CBR regulations.

- In December 2014, the Russian Government placed a RUB 100 billion subordinated deposit in VTB Bank from the Russian National Wealth Fund. The deposit was recognised by the Central Bank of Russia as Tier 2 capital. As of 31 December 2014, the Group's total and Tier 1 capital adequacy ratios were 12.0% and 9.8%, respectively, versus 14.7% and 10.9% as of 31 December 2013.

KEY BUSINESS SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS

VTB Group key segments in 2014

RUB billion	Corporate-Investment banking	Mid-Corporate banking	Retail business	Treasury	VTB Group (before intersegment eliminations)
Revenues from external customers	445.0	108.5	413.7	147.3	1,164.4
Net interest income	109.1	121.6	194.7	(79.7)	355.1
Net fee and commission income	13.1	12.1	35.5	1.2	62.9
Provision charge for impairment*	(119.8)	(63.7)	(92.1)	0.4	(275.4)
Net operating income	29.5	71.5	167.4	6.3	282.1
Staff costs and administrative expenses	(53.4)	(28.7)	(118.5)	(6.3)	(246.2)
Net profit	(34.2)	31.9	37.6	-	2.9

* Including provision charge for impairment of debt financial assets and provision charge for impairment of other assets, credit related commitments and legal claims.

- The Group's key business segments continued to deliver strongly in core income lines in 2014. However, a considerable increase in provision charges has put pressure on each segment's profitability. Retail business and Mid-Corporate banking (MCB) remained profitable, despite severe macroeconomic headwinds.

- Loan book growth in the Retail business was primarily driven by mortgages during both FY 2014 and 4Q 2014, as the Group continued to see strong demand for this type of loan across Russia, and continued to prioritise less risky products while expanding its asset base.

VTB Group gross loans to individuals

RUB billion	31 Dec 2014	31 Dec 2013	Change, %
Gross loans to individuals	1,945.1	1,520.8	27.9%
Mortgage loans	795.3	539.9	47.3%
Consumer loans	901.1	741.4	21.5%
Credit cards	113.8	86.2	32.0%
Car loans	129.7	133.2	(2.6%)
Reverse sale and repurchase agreements and other loans	5.2	20.1	(74.1%)

- Mortgage loans reached 40.9% of the Group's gross loans to individuals as of 31 December 2014, versus 35.5% as of 31 December 2013. The share of consumer loans and credit card loans in the portfolio was 46.3% and 5.9%, respectively, versus 48.8% and 5.7% at 31 December 2013. The share of car loans in the portfolio decreased to 6.7% as of 31 December 2014, versus 8.8% at the start of the year.

- The Group's retail banks have considerably reduced approval rates for the riskiest customer segments and further strengthened their debt collection function. As a result, the Group has delivered a consistent decline in cost of risk in retail loans on a quarter-on-quarter basis since 1Q 2014.

VTB Group cost of risk in loans to individuals

%	4Q 2014	3Q 2014	2Q 2014	1Q 2014
Provision charge / Average gross loans, annualised	2.7%	4.4%	5.1%	5.5%

- The total number of the Group's retail offices in Russia (operating under the VTB24, Bank of Moscow and Leto Bank brands) stood at more than 1,700 as of 31 December 2014. This represents a reduction of approximately 100 offices in 4Q 2014, as the Group started to optimise the network of its consumer finance entity Leto Bank in response to challenging market conditions. The combined number of the Group's ATMs exceeded 12,200 at the end of 2014.

- During 2014, the Group's Corporate-Investment banking saw solid demand for credit from large, high-quality borrowers as international debt capital markets remained largely closed for Russian issuers. In 4Q 2014, corporate lending in Russia slowed due to FX rates volatility and the spike in interest rates.

- MCB grew its gross loan book efficiently to RUB 1,047.8 billion as of 31 December 2014. In 2H 2014, the MCB team adjusted its credit origination policies to prioritise the quality of the portfolio.

- The Group's investment banking franchise VTB Capital maintained its status as Russia's leading investment bank despite challenging conditions and subdued activity in the Russian capital markets. For 2014, VTB Capital's debt capital markets team took the top spot in the Dealogic's Russia domestic DCM bookrunner ranking, arranging 37 transactions worth a total of USD 4.3 billion and taking 15.9% market share. VTB Capital also ranked #1 in equity capital markets in Russia and CIS with four transactions totalling USD 467 million (22.5% of the market).

Contacts:

Investor relations:
Tel: +7 495 775 71 39
Email: investorrelations@vtb.ru

VTB Bank
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at 31 December
(in billions of Russian Roubles)

	2014	2013 (restated)
Assets
Cash and short-term funds	695.2	354.3
Mandatory cash balances with central banks	85.5	58.7
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss	681.7	406.4
Financial assets, other than loans and advances to customers and due from other banks, pledged under repurchase agreements	184.0	173.2
Due from other banks, including pledged under repurchase agreements	814.5	446.2
- Due from other banks	740.3	443.4
- Due from other banks, pledged under repurchase agreements	74.2	2.8
Loans and advances to customers, including pledged under repurchase agreements	8,537.3	6,259.6
- Loans and advances to customers	8,074.7	5,969.0
- Loans and advances to customers, pledged under repurchase agreements	462.6	290.6
Investment financial assets	132.2	140.8
Investments in associates and joint ventures	96.3	87.6
Assets of disposal groups held for sale	11.1	36.7
Land, premises and equipment	246.9	170.3
Investment property	192.3	160.7
Goodwill and other intangible assets	161.8	162.5
Deferred income tax asset	66.9	45.5
Other assets	285.1	266.0
Total assets	12,190.8	8,768.5
Liabilities
Due to other banks	733.2	624.6
Customer deposits	5,669.4	4,383.4
Other borrowed funds	2,729.2	1,485.9
Debt securities issued	921.4	738.2
Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale	4.7	20.7
Deferred income tax liability	26.6	15.0
Other liabilities	710.1	262.6
Total liabilities before subordinated debt	10,794.6	7,530.4
Subordinated debt	265.2	291.0
Total liabilities	11,059.8	7,821.4
Equity
Share capital	352.1	138.1
Share premium	433.8	433.8
Perpetual loan participation notes	126.6	73.6
Treasury shares and bought back perpetual loan participation notes	(6.7)	(3.6)
Other reserves	42.8	35.6
Retained earnings	169.3	262.0
Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent	1,117.9	939.5
Non-controlling interests	13.1	7.6
Total equity	1,131.0	947.1
Total liabilities and equity	12,190.8	8,768.5

VTB Bank
Consolidated Income Statements for the Years Ended 31 December
(in billions of Russian Roubles)

	2014	2013
Interest income	844.1	686.3
Interest expense	(489.8)	(363.3)
Net interest income	354.3	323.0
Provision charge for impairment of debt financial assets	(255.4)	(96.9)
Net interest income after provision for impairment	98.9	226.1
Net fee and commission income	63.1	55.4
(Losses net of gains) / gains less losses arising from financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss	(3.0)	13.2
Gains less losses from investment financial assets available-for-sale	-	7.3
Losses net of gains arising from foreign currencies	(3.2)	(8.7)
Government grant from Deposit Insurance Agency	99.2	-
Gains on initial recognition of financial instruments, restructuring and other gains on loans and advances to customers	3.5	9.1
Share in profit of associates and joint ventures	0.3	2.2
Gain from disposal of subsidiaries and associates	15.1	2.8
Gains net of losses / (losses net of gains) arising from extinguishment of liabilities	0.8	(3.7)
Provision charge for impairment of other assets, credit related commitments and legal claims	(20.0)	(2.3)
Excess of fair value of acquired net asset over cost	0.3	8.0
Other operating income	18.5	9.6
Non-interest gains	111.5	37.5
Net insurance premiums earned	43.9	29.4
Net insurance claims incurred, movement in liabilities to policyholders and acquisition costs	(31.8)	(16.4)
Revenue from other non-banking activities	38.1	34.2
Cost of sales and other expenses from other non-banking activities	(45.9)	(36.1)
Revenues less expenses from non-banking operations	4.3	11.1
Impairment of goodwill	(5.7)	-
Staff costs and administrative expenses	(239.3)	(210.9)
Non-interest expenses	(245.0)	(210.9)
Profit before tax	32.8	119.2
Income tax expense	(31.5)	(24.1)
Net profit after tax	1.3	95.1
(Loss) / profit after tax from subsidiaries acquired exclusively with a view to resale	(0.5)	5.4
Net profit	0.8	100.5
Net profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the parent	4.1	101.5
Non-controlling interests	(3.3)	(1.0)
Basic and diluted earnings per share (expressed in Russian Roubles per share)	(0.00023)	0.00805
Basic and diluted earnings per share before profit after tax from subsidiaries acquired exclusively with a view to resale (expressed in Russian Roubles per share)	(0.00019)	0.00760