With over $45 billion in assets and 34,000 branch offices, Sber Bank is unquestionably Russia's largest and most recognized bank. Sber Bank not only maintains a special status with the Russian government, but holds over 70% of all private savings that are kept in Russian banks.

Officials recently declared that foreigners could own up to 5% of Sber Bank. Previous to this announcement, foreigners were barred from owning Sber Bank stock (even though shares were widely purchased by foreigners through gray areas, thus leading to an explosion in its price and much greater liquidity in 1997).

Despite having sky-rocket in price by over 400% during the first six months of 1997, Sber Bank remains an attractive company due to its low PE ratio, its modest market capitalization, its favorable dividend payments, and its dominant position in the banking industry.