Sberbank sees no reputational risks in Guriev's withdrawal from supervisory board
MOSCOW. May 29 (Interfax) - Sberbank of Russia does not see any reputational risks associated with Sergei Guriev's withdrawal of his nomination to the supervisory board, deputy chairman of the bank's management board Bella Zlatkis said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"I don't see reputational problems for Sberbank because Sberbank in no way initiated it [the withdrawal], and our relations are steadily constructive," she said.
Zlatkis expressed regret that Guriev is leaving Sberbank's supervisory board and resigning as rector of the Russian School of Economics.
"We don't like that he's leaving the Russian School of Economics, we don't like that he's leaving Sberbank's supervisory board, but that's his decision," she said.
Zlatkis noted that Guriev's departure from the board is for purely personal reasons. Asked whether she is aware of the political motivations behind his withdrawal or whether she found out about it from the media, she said: "Personally, yes [I found out from the media], despite the fact that I did hear something with half an ear, but honestly, I didn't really believe it, and I may have disregarded it. I have very productive relations with Guriev. There wasn't anything sensational in our conversations and discussions."
"In terms of Russian law, there aren't any problems. It's his right [to leave]," Zlatkis said.
Information that Guriev is planning to resign as rector of the Russian School of Economics and is declining his nomination to Sberbank's supervisory board came out on Tuesday. The economist is currently on vacation abroad. The Investigative Committee confirmed that he was questioned as part of the Yukos case some time ago.
