Sber’s Big India Bet: $100-Million Push For Full-Scale Banking, Tech And Talent

Updated: December 05, 2025 17:27

Image Source : Free Press Journal

Russia’s largest lender Sberbank has unveiled an aggressive India strategy, aiming to triple its operations over the next three years. The bank plans to invest around 100 million dollars in technology platforms, staff expansion, new branches and data centres, targeting full‑scale retail and corporate banking, education partnerships and tech transfer.

From Niche Player To Full-Scale Bank

Sberbank, which already holds a full banking licence in India with branches in New Delhi and Mumbai plus an IT hub in Bengaluru, now wants to move from largely B2B business to a broader retail and SME play. CEO Herman Gref said the group intends to expand “step by step” and has sought around 10 new branch licences from the RBI across key Indian cities, backed by a fresh domestic data centre in Hyderabad. Over the next three years, Sber plans to invest roughly 100 million dollars in technology infrastructure, large office facilities and team expansion, with the India headcount already near 900 and set to rise sharply.

Alongside banking, Sber is positioning itself as a long‑term innovation partner, leveraging its AI, fintech and edtech capabilities to deepen India ties just as New Delhi and Moscow target 100‑billion‑dollar bilateral trade by 2030. Executives say rupee–rouble payments are working smoothly, rupee accounts at its Indian branch have jumped 3.5 times in 2025, and the bank now wants to channel surplus rupees into Indian government securities and large infrastructure projects.

Key Highlights

Expansion ambition: Sber aims to triple its India operations within three years, scaling from a primarily corporate franchise to a full‑spectrum bank spanning B2B and B2C segments.

Investment plan: About 100 million dollars earmarked for tech platforms, AI‑driven banking, new data centres (including Hyderabad), and larger office space, plus significant hiring in IT and front‑line roles.

Branch push: The bank has requested 10 additional branch licences from RBI to widen its physical presence beyond existing offices in Delhi and Mumbai.

Product suite:

Rupee‑denominated letters of credit with deferred payment for Indian imports.
Instruments enabling Russian clients to invest in Nifty 50 equities and Indian government securities.
Planned solutions to finance gold imports from India.

Strategic focus: Strong emphasis on national‑currency settlements (rupee–rouble), AI and digital banking collaboration, education and skills programmes, and participation in large Indian infrastructure projects using rupee resources.

Sources: Business Standard, PTI/The Week, Economic Times, Reuters, NDTV, Outlook Money, CXO TV, Rediff/Market reports.

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