Former VTB retail banking head Gorshkov named CEO of Wildberries Bank

MOSCOW. Aug 12 (Interfax) - The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has approved the candidacy of Georgy Gorshkov, the former head of retail banking at Russian state bank VTB, for the position of CEO of Wildberries Bank, the combined company Wildberries-Russ (RWB) said in a press release.

Gorshkov, who worked at VTB for many years, was appointed head of RWB's fintech business in July. It was said at the time that he would also head Wildberries Bank once the CBR gave its approval.

Gorshkov's main objectives in his new position will be to determine the long-term strategy for the bank's development, look for new niches, further develop fintech services for the b2c and b2b segments, and improve the quality and increase the convenience of financial services.

Former Wildberries Bank CEO Marina Melnik will remain at the bank as a member of the management board.

Wildberries, one of Russia's largest online marketplaces, announced at the end of 2023 that fintech would become one if its strategic priorities in the next few years. RWB's portfolio includes Wildberries Bank LLC, which was acquired in 2021, payday lenders Payment Technologies LLC and WB Finance LLC, as well as RWB Factoring LLC.

Gorshkov was VTB's deputy CEO in charge of retail banking from 2023 to 2025. He served on the management board of the state bank's retail subsidiary VTB24 from 2007 to 2012. He then became first deputy CEO of Leto Bank, on the basis of which Pochta Bank was created in 2016, and worked at Pochta Bank until 2020.