Russian Internet Giant Yandex to Challenge Former Partner Sberbank in Fintech

  • Yandex, TCS owners discuss $5.5 billion cash-and-shares deal
  • Sberbank CEO Gref aims to turn his bank into a tech company

A visitor walks past a logo displayed in the reception area at the headquarters of Yandex NV in Moscow.

Photographer: Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr./Bloomberg
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Months after Russia’s leading technology company ended a partnership with the country’s biggest bank, the two are heading for a showdown as they build rival ecosystems.

Yandex NV said it’s in talks to buy Russia’s leading digital bank for $5.48 billion on Tuesday, a challenge to former partner Sberbank PJSC as the state-controlled lender seeks to reposition itself as a technology company that can provide consumers with services from food delivery to telemedicine.